Sunday, May 20, 2012

Group 6 Blog Post

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/05/world/saving.aesha/?hpt=hp_c2

18 comments:

  1. I thought this article was interesting because it was not directed solely at the tragedy that happened to Aesha. Unfortunately, there are still countries in the world that think it is okay to grossly disfigure someone like Aesha, just because she is female. More importantly though, it brings to light how hard it was for her to adjust to the differences in culture between America and Afghanistan because she isn’t just a victim, she is also a person. I don’t think the struggles of an immigrant is really at the forefront of anyone’s mind anymore and this article helps remind us that people from other cultures are coming to America all the time. It’s amazing that she can find the strength to move forward when her culture shock is compounded by the abuse perpetrated by her husband and his in-laws. Hopefully she can find a way to grow from where she is now, although it is positive to see that she has finally found a chance to enjoy life, and eventually be able to lead a somewhat normal life.

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  2. This article is very interesting and it definitely gave me some motivation to continue to in do great things in school, but also to become a better citizen. Story like these make me proud to be an American because, there are few places in the world where someone who has been wrongfully harmed both mentally and physically, can recover and become a human being again or, I don't know if this is the right way to word it, but a citizen of valve in society. Along with reading the article, watching the video is just as moving because it shows the emotion of both Aesha, but her new family and the surroundings she is apart. I am glad that this article didn't say that these type of tragedies rarely occur because it wouldn't be true. I like how the author described how she taught the alphabet and how to everyday things. I am glad that she is okay and that she will have a happy life to follow as long as she continues to receive the support she currently has.

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  3. Reading this article gave me an insight on how women are being othered in other countries and we're fortunate that the United States does not have these problems. This article tells a story that many people need to hear so that us as citizens of America are aware of what's going on behind closed doors. I feel like I need to do more as a person to help others who are less fortunate than I am. Giving some one hope who some times don't see the light like Aesha did is more inspiring than any other gift. It's sad to know that women in other countries have to go through brutal beatings and have no one to speak up for them and try to make a difference. If we as a country and not one individual organization help the women who are abused in other countries like we helped Aesha then other women will have a chance at life and a chance to turn over a new leaf. I'm happy for Aesha and her new start and new family and I just hope we can continue to be a help to women like her.

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  4. This article does focus on a tragic story with a very bright and hopeful future for a young girl who endured more than many of us could ever imagine. The intent of this article was to share the story of a girl who faced hardships in a foreign country and spread awareness of what is going on in other countries at this very minute, but among commenters it struck up a whole different type of debate. After reading almost 30 comments the argument that was being debated over was clearly on whether the U.S. should remove troops from Afghanistan or not. Those in favor of removing troops talked about ending war and that we only went there to stop terrorism not try and civilize a country, while those who want troops to stay focus on the amount of girls suffer from similar stories each day and how they will increase if we leave and the Taliban regains power. One very opinionated commenter countered their claims saying how many people do we kill each day with the war, but we don't see those faces on our newspapers. This brings up a stirring thought of how many innocent people die because of our own weapons and how we Americans are being mislead to continue in this war by influential stories such as this one, when they only reason it gained so much popularity could be because it supported the war effort. Relating to a whole other topic of how the media affects it's viewers, but also how the media is controlled by certain individuals in order to influence people in a particular way in hopes to sway ill informed Americans toward a cause.

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  5. I agree with Kayla's statement about this article. It is good to see that organizations and people in our country are willing to help other people that have been victimized in other countries and are less fortunate than most of us. Women are othered in many other countries and are not seen as equal, and women in our country sometimes take for granted the freedoms they have, although there is still room for improvement with women's equality in America. The othering of Aesha in this case can be people judging her in America because she is different, but also the severe othering and torture she endured in Afghanistan. It is good that America can be seen as a country where immigrants can be helped and start a new life, but more needs to be done to prevent othering and inequality in countries abroad.

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    1. Do you also think that she being othered because of her religion and race while she staying here in America?

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  6. It is very sad to hear about the abuse that some people go through just for being a female. Women should be seen as equal and more needs to be done to change the way other countries think. I was happy to see that America can be viewed as an escape coat for immigrants of other countries that need to start a new life. More needs to be done to help people in Aesha's situation. If a few more organizations were setup, think of all the people we could help. I cant imagine moving to a different country and having to adapt to culture changes. This article serves as great motivation to help out in any way I can.

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  7. I already knew that women were looked down upon and treated poorly in many middle eastern nations, but I had no idea it was to this extent. The fact that Aesha's own husband and her in-laws had the audacity to commit such a crime against her is ridiculous. It really attests to how backwards and horrible the Taliban and their practices are. I feel horrible knowing that things like this are happening in our world today. If something this were to occur here in America, it would be more than just frowned upon, the person who did it would be put in prison. But in Afghanistan, it's merely "putting a woman in her place". It's sickening. Even if they believe that women aren't men's equals, I fail to understand why they still can't be respected or at least treated like humans. They treat women like they're property and at some times even animals. I'm glad that Aesha was able to find proper refuge and care here in America. She deserves it after what she has gone through. We should take heed and realize how good we have it here in America. It would be great if there really was an effective way to help the women in Afghanistan from having to live in fear and in servitude.

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    1. I agree with James. Yes I think everyone will find this story appalling. It is a great, and sad, example of the rhetoric of othering against women in Aesha's hometown and country. Many people who live where Aesha lives find this act to be a normal act against woman. I'm glad that her story got out and was on the cover of a magazine because people need to know that these violent acts are happening all over the world. Fortunately for her, she got help and is now okay. But these acts are still happening. As mentioned in earlier posts, this article caused a lot of controversy about having troops over seas. Some people said we do need troops so that more woman can be saved, while others said that they should not be there so that we can end the war. Obviously this is a very controversial topic that causes extra debate on deeper issues.

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  8. It seems to always be surprising that these kind of things happen in other countries but no one would ever think a human being could commit such a cruel act to a family member. She is a beautiful young woman who could have had a lovely life in the US without being different in any way but her husband and in-laws took that away from her. These groups in the Mid-East are extremists and should be stopped! They do not respect women at all and all she wanted is freedom. Not only was she repressed because she is a woman but in the US she will be discriminated against because she is a Muslim. Both of those forms of repression are very prevalent in the world and it is a shame people do not believe everyone is equal.

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  9. I was aware that women received no where near the same rights as they do here, but i can not believe the cruelty of the crime that they committed towards her. It truly attributes to how backwards and messed up the taliban are. There are women out there just like her that no one ever knows about, and people need to help these women from these situations.

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    1. Do you think Americans show more empathy toward women rather than men?

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  10. It is very upsetting to read this shocking story, and it allows me to appreciate the fact that I live in the United States much more. Women in other countries such as Afghanistan have little to no protection by law. It is unbelievable that Aesha's husband and in-laws treated her so poorly. It is cruel and inhumane that the Taliban court ordered that her ears and nose should be cut off for "dishonoring" her husband's family. Women are given no rights in other countries and they are treated like assets, as Aesha was forced to marry her husband as her Uncle's punishment for committing a crime. Why should Aesha have to pay for her Uncle's crime? I am glad that Aesha made it to America where she is protected by law, and she can share her horrible story with the people so the intensity of corruption in Afghanistan is known.

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  11. This story is shocking on so many levels. It is amazing that people in other countries believe that mutilation is an acceptable punishment. Aesha was running away from the abuse that her husband and in-laws were inflicting on her. Since when has running away from abuse been a punishable offense anyway? I always knew the Taliban was a horrific group of people, but I think after reading this article they have somehow become even worse. They not only destroyed Aesha physically but also mentally as well. She may never be completely functional in society because of what happened to her in her past. It's sad to think about because she is still so young and has so much more of life to live.

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  12. This article was a prime example of the othering of women in other countries. It was shocking to hear the story of this poor woman and what she went through, but at the same time I am proud of the country I live in which we can help victims from other nations to try and rebuild their lives. Aesha, to me, seems like one of the strongest and most courageous woman I know. This story is inspirational, but at the same time I like how the author doesn’t let the issue at hand be over taken by this story. The issue of inequality in women and the othering of women in other nations is prevalent and people need to unite and stand in unity for this country is equal no matter sex, race, ethnicity, or any circumstances; every human being is equal. Aesha was victimized by her own family due to a custom in her country, her nose and ears severed due to a choice she partook on. After all of this, she is still going about in a normal way, day to day in the United States. She is a living example of gender inequality and hopefully she will convince people to stand up and start a new beginning with a country of more equality and privileges for the sexes.

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  13. I really learned something new from this article, like how women are treated in other country. Sometimes, I feel lucky that I was not born in the country like that. This article talks about the tragedy of Aesha. If it happens to me, I will not be able to live like her. So I think that people who wrote the article want to tell us that even though she suffered such a tragedy, she still moved on and conquered the difficulties. Also, we need to pay attention to gender inequality. It happens in every country because female gives people an impression of kindness and most people think that women should just stay at home and take care of kids. However, women have the right to do what they want to. Nobody can limit their rights and blame them for doing men’s job.

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  14. I am really shocked by Aesha’s miserable experience of being tortured by her husband and in-laws. From the unequally treatments towards her I can see that in the society of Afghanistan, women are not regarded as human, instead, they are subject to men and they are even only properties of men. They do not have the basic human right to protect their health and lives. The torture on women’s body will also harm their mental health. Controlled by men, it is hard for them to have self-confidence and self-esteem. They have no chance to be independent and decide their own lives. However, although Aesha suffered a lot in Afghanistan, she eventually escaped from there successfully and has a new life in America. It is really hard to imagine the women in Afghanistan who will never have the chance to get away from the cruel treatment and control of men. But it is happy to see that people from other countries and the people who have the same experience can give a helping hand to save more women from their miserable lives.

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  15. i think its ridiculous how this stuff can happen in other parts of the world as much as it does. I would think that most human beings have some sort of morals and wouldnt even think about doing this type of thing, but i guess i am wrong. i am proud that she can come to america and start a new life here without any unequal treatment against her. i am proud to say that this is my home, and that anyone, from any walk of life can have an equal opportunity. I wonder how many other women in the middle east have gotten abused in this type of way, but were not able to escape it. something should be done

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