Western woman feminism club only?

Question

I thought feminism meant struggle for equality for ALL women, regardless of race, color, nationality, language, ethnicity, religion. How can some be so concerned with equal rights for women, yet not give a f*** about women in other countries being tortured and killed for being women?

This is a followup question about a Saudi woman who has been sentenced to 200 lashes after being gang raped. How come we don't care to discuss these issues, but we'll go back and forth all day long about all kinds of non-issues?

Raising awareness and supporting other women when they are pleading to international organizations and crying for help is NOT the same as invading another country for their oil, starting a civil war, then leaving.

Answer 1

I completely agree with you. That attitude appalls me. We're not supposed to care when other people around the world are suffering? We're supposed to think "So? That's not "us," what are we supposed to do, and why should we care in the first place?" Well, it IS us...we could be those people...we are, ourselves, only as "safe" as we help others to be...when we stop caring about other people, because they're "other", then we aren't too far from not caring when our neighbors are dragged out of their homes in the middle of the night, and lined up in front of a shallow ditch. And when that happens, guess who may be next? We are HUMAN, in my mind, not "American," or "Saudi Arabian," when it comes to human rights violations, and when "their" rights are in jeopardy, ALL human rights are in jeopardy. And we have to start here, in the west (yes, America, I'm talking about us). WE have to let our government know that we can't/won't tolerate such things, in whatever way we can.

Answer 2

You are actually asking 2 seperate questions.
1) What's really driving the search of equality between sexes in America?
2) Why does the suffering of women around the world not raise more rage?

For 1), I would say it's individualistic pursuit rather than the matter of fair pay and fair treatment. People often look at the pay numbers and the percentage of managerial positions and define that as inequality if things don't go their way. Of course, there are still prejudice against women (what's with those die-hard conservative Hilary haters? If anything, Hillary is the most conservative Democratic 2008 presidential candidate)

When it comes down to it, men tend to be more aggressive on getting better pay and putting in more hours. Of course, they should be awarded accordingly. If a woman has proven herself just as capable as her peers with the same amout of work performed, they should be awarded equally. If men and women must have the same pay no matter what, it betrays the point of having two sexes in the first place and the sense of fair play.

2) Worrying about women at other countries, especially Muslim women? With individualistic perceptions, worrying about women at other countries is already low on the priority. Muslim women are at even worse situation. Not only US standing in the world does not help the matter. The whole muslim culture is about giving women a more inferior status.

Only in the countries with relative wealth and stable poltical landscape (Saudi Arabia, Tukey, India, Egypt & possibly Malaysia) can the women even be 'thinking' about getting equality. Otherwise, it's a lost cause until the west and the muslim world can communicate at much deeper levels.


XR

Answer 3

I think this is more of a PROTECTION and criminality/ punishment issue.. than, the role/reaction of Feminism. You already know, about the society in question in Saudi Arabia...

First off, you're raising awareness right now, which is good.

Secondly, the UNITED NATIONS has a huge and well-funded wing that focuses on Women's Rights globally. That's where this issue should be directed front, left, right and center. The fact that this isn't being pushed through the UN - or that the UN hasn't brought it to the attention of the convention that just happened 2 months ago in NYC... is a poor example, and demonstrates that something is seriously lacking, in that Division. Too often, this global body panders to protecting/not offending it's members... especially in this regard, and at some point -- it's going to have to bore through, and DRILL into these societies that don't respect women's rights, or react appropriately and condemn these acts of extreme violence.

P.S. - Lip service is paid to prostitution, mutilaltion, kidnapping, burning wives in India (right?), child sex tourism for decades, now and it still exists without being a priority -- throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This would be a perfect issue for any Presidential Debate now... wouldn't it?

Answer 4

Yes, unfortunately certain nations of the world, in part, are stuck in the stone age where women's rights are concerned. It's been a long trip for the Western nations to come from stoning adulteress women (by rule it was always the woman's fault), and it is disgusting to see that some nations are still this far behind in their morality.

Still, your question seems to be one of "Why don't people in the Western world care?" I would put it to you that in fact many do. I do. You do. I think the problem lies in the fact that it is difficult to affect foreign nations and cultures in a positive way. (and I wouldn't be surprised if political ties to Saudi Arabia played a role in instances like this) Giving to groups like Amnesty International and, of course, using your power to vote are about the only ways we can affect the situation.

However, I think you are also right in thinking that our national policies, as a whole, are lopsided. For instance, we place our own security HIGH above the wellbeing of downtrodden nations. Some would say this selfishness is natural, I tend to disagree personally. I think we could be a much better player on the world scene and still provide adequate security for ourselves.

So, it appears, that the issue of gender inequality in other nations is by far trumped by our own security and welfare, but it is for the American people to decide what our priorities are on the world scene, and they have spoken.

Answer 5

I agree with you that those things are really terrible. But how are you really going to stop them short of violence?

There is, in essence, a cold political deal in Saudi Arabia. The US props up a brutal dictatorship with arms and international diplomatic cover. The dictatorship sells us cheap oil. They garner a just-sufficient amount of domestic political support by a massive welfare state, cheap foreign labor, and an Islamic theology. This theology tells the people that a new brilliant world will be created by returning to a medieval Islamism.

You can't really knock any of those pegs out without the structure crumbling. The theology is crap, in my opinion, but it gets the Islamists on the side of the regime and gives them just enough legitimacy to stay in power, bemoaning the invasion of Western values even as it maintains its power through Western support.

So--I'm all for protesting to the UN, creating boards and whatnot to raise awareness. But I think the end result will be zilch. Sorry to be a pessimist.

Answer 6

I think women in America are definitely oppressed and the saddest part is many don't even realize it. One example is the simple notion that only female breasts are considered indecent. This idea has lead to the implementation of rules that only prohibit women from showing their chest in public. This is unconstitutional and sex discrimination. All the while obese men can flop their hairy, unsightly breasts without consequence. Technically in some places women who've had mastectomies can go bare chested which then leads to the conclusion that it is the fact that breasts protrude that people find indecent. If this is the case, then why should breasts that protrude from only a woman's chest be considered offensive? Why are some protruding breasts acceptable? The presence of a penis cancels out the indecency? Oppression is an injust exercise of authority or power. Telling men they are free to show the same body part a woman is mandated to cover is injust. We have less oppression here. Less.

Answer 7

This is interesting question, and I see it this way;

I think feminism is in a form of social movement.
Social movement is an activism that also acknowledges the diversity of cultures based on different nations, religion, tradition, and politics.

Because, even though it sounds quite ironic, the feminism movement that most American people have heard of actually rose within the American nation in American history, it does not have much to do with other countries' different condition of women's rights.

Answer 8

You're right, but what can we do except support financially the organizations that are trying to help?

The Mrs.' answer in the original question contained an excellent followup. She explained what happened to the parties involved, and the idiots who did this did not get off. Charges against the woman may yet be dropped.

Answer 9

You can discuss all what you want, become indignant, send some angry mail chains...whatever. That would make little difference, there's simply too much oppresion and may be even some women would refuse to hear about any other choices (whatever be out of fear or conviction).
And, since that is a social problem, deeply rooted in the culture and way of life of that nations, there is no way for a movement to come in bullying, trying to change a thousands years old lifestyle. Too complicated for international organizations to lend a helping hand to those women.

Answer 10

Eh what? Why do you say that's true? Are you unaware of the multitude of international organizations fighting for women's rights across the globe?

If it's so easy to make changes without war, why is there still genocide in Darfur? You talk a big game, but do you know what making significant changes entails? It entails governmental cooperation. Governments cooperate mostly with other governments. Grassroots or even large organizations often aren't listened to at all.

Edit: you know, it gets tiring seeing how easily people on this message board assume the opinion of 3 self-professed feminists speak for the social movement of feminism. It's so incredibly simplistic. I know we can all do better.