European Tribune - Comments - Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world

Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world | 68 comments (68 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (none / 1)

have the ability to talk openly and frankly about the matter and engage freely exploring and figuring out for ourselves what it means or doesn't mean to be a man or a woman,

So long as you fit into a neat consumer category.

This comment isn't aimed at you, but I find it impossible to think about this line of conversation without frowning deeply. There are so many hidden assumptions of doubtful validity lurking here.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 01:15:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (4.00 / 2)

Please elaborate.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 01:33:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (4.00 / 2)

I'm not sure I can. I just get the feeling that we're trapped within a framing here and missing some pretty fundamental issues. We're a pretty sex obsessed society, and I'm not sure how normal or healthy that is, for a start.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:30:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (none / 1)

I've never said "normal" or "healthy," just "open" and "frank." Which I think is healthier than "closed" and "ashamed." That's by no means implying perfect health, though.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:50:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (none / 1)

I have to disagree. Mind you, I am talking about public policy here, not social peer pressure. And I'm not suggesting it is easy or simple or even common. But it's also not limited to a neat consumer category. People of all socio-economic strata, wether they shop at WalMart, the farmer's market, or Tiffany's are talking about sex and sex roles and figuring things out for themselves, and legally, without the mayor getting involved.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 01:52:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (4.00 / 2)

Er, may be different in Ireland.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:17:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (4.00 / 3)

Oh, absolutely. Over here you have to be married for ten years before they even explain how sex works. I'm waiting anxiously.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:25:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (none / 1)

That's funny. Everyone always assumed us Catholic School girls knew more about the subject than our public school counterparts. Or that's the reputation we had. Or that was the projection of males who fantasized about girls in school uniforms...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:54:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (4.00 / 2)

There may be a fairly significant cultural difference crossing the Atlantic on this one. I've heard it described like this: In the USA, you can talk about absolutely anything, sexual or otherwise, and can do it on network TV, but you can't use the words that most vividly describe what you're talking about. In Britain, you can use all those words as freely as you like, but you can't actually talk about what they describe.

</semi-snarky stereotype>

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:22:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (none / 1)

By "do it on network TV" I assume you mean "talk about it on network TV"?

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:27:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (none / 1)

Oh, absolutely. You certainly can't actually do it on network TV, or even show the parts of the body with which it is sometimes done.

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:30:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world (4.00 / 3)

It sometimes occurs to me that those who would campaign for banning headscarfs in the Muslim world should consider a plan to ban breast coverings in the US.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu Nov 1st, 2007 at 02:37:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Stereotype-bustin' in the Arab world | 68 comments (68 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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