My Saudi Students

[doc_bean]

Sexism
We have had Saudi women in the school. There are two now. Forget what the media and popular Western opinion is of Saudi or Muslim women. They wear modern, sometimes sexy, fashion (one of them keeps her hair covered), are outspoken and candid, and behave, in every outward way, equal to the Saudi men. One is a business woman, the other a chemistry major.

I have assigned essays about a variety of political topics about women and almost all the men support women's rights and equality.

But how do they threat women in practice ? My girlfriend works with a couple of Iranians in her lab and she says they just won't listen to the advice of women. The only way you can get them to pay attention to what you say is to suggest that a male professor has suggested it.

[Devastatin Dave]

Good post Tachi, every Arab I've ever met were nice and pleasent. Every society has their share of jerks. Still the nicest folks to me are Koreans.

[Divinus Arma]

I prefer the term "boomski".


That's a joke.



Seriously though, I agree with the intent of this post. It is sad. But it is even sadder that mainstream muslim organizations refuse to condemn terrorist acts.


Here's a funny story: A family friend of mine is Jewish and was recently divorced. He dated an Iranian-American shortly after. Until she stated that Israel should be destroyed and that Jews are evil, except for him. He found that just a little awkward.

I feel bad for the majority of Muslims who are victimized by their own people who perpetrate stereotypical behavior.

I also feel bad for black people who are victimized by their own ethnic members who embrace stereotypical black urban culture.

And Republicans who are racist white trash also piss me off, because they make the rest of republicans look like trash.


I have no prob with ethnicity. White, black, brown, yellow, it matters not. We all bleed green. It's culture that defines us, and that is a matter of nurture, not nature. Racists of any color make me sick to my stomach. They are truly misguided evil SOBs.

[Reenk Roink]

Seriously though, I agree with the intent of this post. It is sad. But it is even sadder that mainstream muslim organizations refuse to condemn terrorist acts.

I can actually get you a list of hundreds of Muslim organizations, from liberal, to orthodox, and even the radical, that condemned terrorist attacks. I can get you hundreds of statements from Muslims, from Orthodox clerics to the ordinary Abdullah that condemn terrorist attacks. Or you could google it. www.google.com

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Well, I would be interested in riots protesting terrorist attacks.

[Reenk Roink]

Well, I would be interested in riots protesting terrorist attacks.

Well, I'm sure they would be interested in riots protesting the civilian deaths in their countries due to our bombs...

After all, most of the war protests are small (opposition to it is large) and focus on getting our troops out of there...

[Divinus Arma]

I would be even more interested in them turning on their own extremists and engaging in a civil war to purge themselves of their cancer.

[Ice]

Well, I'm sure they would be interested in riots protesting the civilian deaths in their countries due to our bombs...

After all, most of the war protests are small (opposition to it is large) and focus on getting our troops out of there...

You are going to fit in well at U of M.

[Louis VI the Fat]

I feel bad for the majority of Muslims who are victimized by their own people who perpetrate stereotypical behavior.

I also feel bad for black people who are victimized by their own ethnic members who embrace stereotypical black urban culture.

I also feel bad for Republicans.

I agree, Divinus.

[Divinus Arma]

I agree, Divinus.

Oh you wascally wabbit. You spinster you. That is jutht dethpicable. Nyuk nyuk nyuk. Wakka wakka wakka!

[Romulas]

I think we would all agree that the stereotypes are indeed view points born of ignorance. We all develop our opinions based on personal experience or the experiences of others. I dare say, is it possible that having the opportunity to meet and interact with people from the Middle East in our communities or in our classrooms does not give an all inclusive religious, sexism, politeness medal. Now, is there anyone who has been over there to experience the Middle East and its stereotypes of Westerners and just HOW polite they might be. How many of us can walk through the lands of the MIddle East and come out alive. Compared to how many of the Middle East not only walk through our lands, but have been welcomed into our communities and schools. Comparing Oklahoma City bombing and abortion doctor murders to daily terrorist bombings is stretch.

So I say that before I wave the wand of forgiveness, show me more that politeness here in the West.

Romulas

[Reenk Roink]

I think we would all agree that the stereotypes are indeed view points born of ignorance. We all develop our opinions based on personal experience or the experiences of others. I dare say, is it possible that having the opportunity to meet and interact with people from the Middle East in our communities or in our classrooms does not give an all inclusive religious, sexism, politeness medal. Now, is there anyone who has been over there to experience the Middle East and its stereotypes of Westerners and just HOW polite they might be. How many of us can walk through the lands of the MIddle East and come out alive. Compared to how many of the Middle East not only walk through our lands, but have been welcomed into our communities and schools. Comparing Oklahoma City bombing and abortion doctor murders to daily terrorist bombings is stretch.

So I say that before I wave the wand of forgiveness, show me more that politeness here in the West.

Romulas

A little while back (1970's-1980's), we were welcomed and treated like honored guests...

That changed, and there is a reason...

You are going to fit in well at U of M.

With the 'fair and cool kids group' . But not with the kids who think religion is a drug (and the only drug they won't try... ).

[Tachikaze]

I meant in my first post that the Muslim men (also all Saudi in this case) wrote about their desires for equality with women. And it wasn't 100%. One had some reservations.

DevDave:
I also like the Koreans very much.

[Fragony]

I prefer the term "boomski".


That's a joke.

Hey, that's my joke(tm)

I am sure they can be great people, but there are differences that make it hard to communicate. We do have completily different cultures, friction is best avoided.