The roots of my activism stem from childhood and my mom introducing me to the music of Holly Near. Songs like "Step It Out Nancy" and "Hay Una Mujer Desaparacida".. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESSbVYHHS0o (because the comments to the video are important) ..her music taught me that the suburban life I was raised in is not the norm, is not an entitlement. That gender does not protect you from being picked up by men in white trucks and made to disappear.
My focus is more on the Middle East because I think the women who protest there are...well, I don't want to say more brave than in other parts of the world, but we hear so little about what they're doing. I started reading more these past few years - stories about women raised in harems, the story of the women of RAWA, the maharanis of India - women who have changed, and are changing, their countries even as the world largely doesn't notice.
It is empowering to me, and amazing, and humbling. The idea that the showing of a bit of hair has been a radical move, that women we are told are so powerless have pushed for social change, have opened schools and hospitals - they amaze me, and I wish I could do more than share the bits of their stories that I know.
They are proof that whatever you do, no matter how small, is important, and it's important that you do it. Their stories inspire me on a regular basis.
This is not as coherent as I'd like..my apologies. I hope it makes sense..?
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-08-11 05:59 am (UTC)The roots of my activism stem from childhood and my mom introducing me to the music of Holly Near. Songs like "Step It Out Nancy" and "Hay Una Mujer Desaparacida"..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESSbVYHHS0o
(because the comments to the video are important)
..her music taught me that the suburban life I was raised in is not the norm, is not an entitlement. That gender does not protect you from being picked up by men in white trucks and made to disappear.
My focus is more on the Middle East because I think the women who protest there are...well, I don't want to say more brave than in other parts of the world, but we hear so little about what they're doing. I started reading more these past few years - stories about women raised in harems, the story of the women of RAWA, the maharanis of India - women who have changed, and are changing, their countries even as the world largely doesn't notice.
It is empowering to me, and amazing, and humbling.
The idea that the showing of a bit of hair has been a radical move, that women we are told are so powerless have pushed for social change, have opened schools and hospitals - they amaze me, and I wish I could do more than share the bits of their stories that I know.
They are proof that whatever you do, no matter how small, is important, and it's important that you do it. Their stories inspire me on a regular basis.
This is not as coherent as I'd like..my apologies. I hope it makes sense..?