I love the show No Reservations as well as its host, Anthony Bourdain. This episode was his journey through Saudi Arabia with a Saudi Arabian-American female host. The country is shown as devout, hospitable, thriving, and full of modernity. Of course, you can't help noticing all the veiled women. Although the female host, when asked about the segregation of males and females, always seems to down play it... I as a woman watching the show can't help but feel a twinge of saddness. I feel that if I were to visit Saudia Arabia, I could never see it completely or fully participate. As amused as I am by the vibrance of the markets, the uniqueness of their culture and cuisine, I think I would always feel slightly uncomfortable. I don't know if it is because I perceive that I would have to repress my feminimity, or be concerned of some sort perceived threat. I want to understand that there are some women who appreciate their culture and want to live this way by choice. Yet, I can't help wondering all the voices that might not be able to be expressed.
I don't know if this reflects poorly on me, or if it is just where I am in my understanding of the situation. I still sense discomfort.
Innocent in Guantanamo
15 years ago
I am sure if you were there you would feel uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteOf course there would be aspects of the culture you could learn about that I would not have access to...
I feel the same way about questioning whether I could fully appreciate the culture. I've often thought about how I would feel entering a culture which requires veils, etc. Part of me feels like "Well, it's their law and their custom, isn't it worth it to experience a place?" And part of me feels like I would just feel imposed upon or somehow diminished (or mad because I feel as if the veil imposes a removal of self worth). I know that my interpretation of it has much to do with the culture in which I've been raised, I just don't feel that showing your body (especially your face and such) is dirty or will make people lustful. It's back to that original sin thing for me. I even know Muslims who don't believe in veiling and that reinforces my opinion and I don't think I could really have the experience I would want to have. It's sad really.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry this is so long.