The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to African women who understand that the promotion of women's rights will yield the spread of global peace. The prize has been split between three female activists. Read more.
Yesterday, in my Minority Voices course, typical class discussion took an unusual turn. We were to write about a tradition we hold dear that, were it ever threatened, we would feel vulnerable/angry. This was to be an awareness activity: our traditions are not so different from the ones taken from Native American culture and, even if we deem these traditions barbaric or 'weird', they are still important to the survival and overall happiness of the culture.
We discussed the threat to the printed word, and not wanting to move to e-readers. We discussed watching sporting events with family, going to temple on holidays, not being able to download music (should legislation gain significant teeth). We also heard from a Saudi Arabian student who is afraid of her freedom being encroached upon. Why? She doesn't want to drive.
Recently, Saudi women were given the right to vote. This means that, logically, the right to drive (or a similar right given to men but not to women) is next to be distributed equally. The student said, "I don't have time to drive. I have to take care of my kids, feed them, clothe them, wash them. I have to clean my house. I have to care for my husband and my brothers. We have drivers who will pick up groceries. I do not have time to do that. I don't want to do that. Here, in America, when people find out I don't drive, they are surprised. I say, 'I don't want to!' I am learning to drive now, and I know my husband will say something like, 'When you leave school, will you go by Schnuck's and pick up....' I don't want to do that! I don't have time."
This really struck a chord with me. I'm sure there are Saudi women who would like an opportunity to drive. But I have to remind myself that my American perspective clouds my vision. Just because I would see the right to drive as something all people should have in my country, that does not mean it should be forced upon unwilling participants. The student continued by saying, "If we [Saudi women] do get the right to drive, I will not learn or get a license." Surely, the government cannot force women to drive, but there would still be new pressures to learn.
