I've been absent because of general feelings of burn out and an inability to take time to pause and collect my thoughts, but the recent events of the West Asian/Middle East/North African region of our world pulled me out of this tired haze a bit. That is because I like revolutions. I don't like the danger and I don't like the violence. But I love the power of the people, the passion, and the clarity of ideas. It gives me joy to see that systems are malleable, and it slightly refuels my faith in humanity that change is possible.
The West seems to like revolutions as well, at least ones that bring down dictators and scream democratic values. And it seems that much of the coverage in the Western press of these revolutions has revolved around dissecting and deconstructing what made them possible. People point to the age, education level, and extent of religious involvement of the protesters, and of course, everyone is also talking about gender.
What, women can be revolutionary, too?
I can't decide if the coverage of women during these times is sexist or empowering. I guess it could be both. I certainly find it reassuring that we, as a global society, are taking into account women's voices. We'll see what happens in the newly established governments in those regions, but I have hope that things might become more inclusive and egalitarian.
However, I have also observed an element of surprise in much of the press regarding women's roles in these events. I understand that this surprise is usually framed around the status of women in largely conservative Islamic countries. That even then and there movement was made. Though I can't help but wonder if some of this conversation is fueled by a sense of anxiety, that, look guys!, women could bring us down.
Overall, my personal take-home message has been positive. It's still amazing to me that this woman (and her organization) was able to use video to stir up such waters without getting raped or killed (as far as we know). It certainly makes me want to run and record videos urging Russian women to stand up for their rights. And who knows, maybe I still will...
The West seems to like revolutions as well, at least ones that bring down dictators and scream democratic values. And it seems that much of the coverage in the Western press of these revolutions has revolved around dissecting and deconstructing what made them possible. People point to the age, education level, and extent of religious involvement of the protesters, and of course, everyone is also talking about gender.
What, women can be revolutionary, too?
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| Photo taken from this Facebook group |
I can't decide if the coverage of women during these times is sexist or empowering. I guess it could be both. I certainly find it reassuring that we, as a global society, are taking into account women's voices. We'll see what happens in the newly established governments in those regions, but I have hope that things might become more inclusive and egalitarian.
However, I have also observed an element of surprise in much of the press regarding women's roles in these events. I understand that this surprise is usually framed around the status of women in largely conservative Islamic countries. That even then and there movement was made. Though I can't help but wonder if some of this conversation is fueled by a sense of anxiety, that, look guys!, women could bring us down.
Overall, my personal take-home message has been positive. It's still amazing to me that this woman (and her organization) was able to use video to stir up such waters without getting raped or killed (as far as we know). It certainly makes me want to run and record videos urging Russian women to stand up for their rights. And who knows, maybe I still will...
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