These days, there's a lot of talk in the American media about the issue of women's rights in Iran. Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker even wrote a column in yesterday's Post bemoaning the plight of Iranian women. And even on this board, there was a thread about women's hardships in places like Iran.

But have any of you actually seen, or interacted with, Iranian women? In my experience, they are some of the strongest, feistiest, most outspoken, most businesslike women in the world, who put their docile and family-oriented American sisters to shame.

Consider: the only reason Mr. Moussavi (the accidental opposition leader) was able to gain any kind of fame, or following, was due to his wife--the famous professor, artist, and personality Zahra Rahnavard, who overshadowed him for years:

quote:

He was out of public life for two decades, a soft-spoken architect who loves to watch movies at home and was overshadowed for years by his distinguished wife, Zahra Rahnavard, a professor and artist. (SOURCE 1)

quote:

[Moussavi has] a magnificently feisty and much more liberal wife, Zahra Rahnavard ... Dr Rahnavard broke with tradition by actively campaigning for her husband. She held a press conference to denounce Mr Ahmadinejad as a liar, misogynist and betrayer of revolutionary values. She wears colourful clothes, and fights for women’s rights. She is everything her husband is not – bold, outspoken, radical and a forceful public performer. Mr Mousavi emerged as the preferred candidate ... partly because of his wife. (SOURCE 2)

Now to those of us who have seen the movie "Persepolis," shown in movie theaters throughout the country last year, this certainly rings true. "Persepolis" is the story of an Iranian girl who came of age during the Iranian Revolution, and it portrays an extremely vocal, feisty, and strong Iranian woman in charge of her life and getting a good education (Moussavi's daughter is a nuclear physicist).

I'm really having trouble reconciling the matriarchical, "strong-woman" facts of Iranian life with soundbites about "women's rights" coming from the American media and politicians. Can someone clarify what's going on? It's pretty amazing that we in America form opinions about other cultures which can be so misinformed and misleading.

___________________
"The favorite American pastime is not baseball, it's moral crusades."

Last edited by HardTranceProd on Jun-18-2009 at 14:47

Looks like you did your homework. Well done.

I've seen some really beautiful Iranian women on several instances. A country of many cultures, with many faces and beliefs. A system being eroded by their current regime.

I honestly think that Iran should switch back to their ancient name (Persia) and their ancient pre-Islamic culture - which is very fascinating. Iran always strived to be unique, powerful, influential in the region. They outta drop their fake Islamic mask and reclaim their old glory and image. Islam has eroded Persian culture.

___________________
Whenever you go and buy something, you are affecting someone somewhere, be it environment, a person, or a community - you're making a statement with what you buy. So make it a smart choice ... Its a big picture

Yet there are still many who like think the women in Iran look like the women in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan with no rights or education.

Iran is a very unique country in the region and Iam glad to see that many are beginning to see thee brave men and women the way they are.

___________________
Mystic Mind - DJ Mixes
http://soundcloud.com/mystic-mind

Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/DJMysticMind

p.s. The media in the west has been trying to make the Iranians look very very bad for many years. Trying to make us look like a bunch of cavemen living in the dirt houses.

___________________
Mystic Mind - DJ Mixes
http://soundcloud.com/mystic-mind

Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/DJMysticMind

quote:

Originally posted by HardTranceProd But have any of you actually seen, or interacted with, Iranian women? In my experience, they are some of the strongest, feistiest, most outspoken, most businesslike women in the world, who put their docile and family-oriented American sisters to shame. .

I'm sorry but what does that have to do with wanting them to have more rights?

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.

quote:

Originally posted by hardcore trancer p.s. The media in the west has been trying to make the Iranians look very very bad for many years. Trying to make us look like a bunch of cavemen living in the dirt houses.

maybe if the iranian regime(s) didn't give them so much ammunition it would be different?

iranian 16yo girl executed for crimes against chastity

this is the 21st century ffs. you can't blame the west for being concerned about such blatant abuses against women.

___________________

look in the The Stoning of Soraya M. Womens right are a big issue there. While the Mullahs control the country, there will be true freedom, although even in the US True Freedom doesnt exist either...

___________________
Kill 1 Person thats Murder, kill 100,000 People thats foriegn policy!

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN maybe if the iranian regime(s) didn't give them so much ammunition it would be different? iranian 16yo girl executed for crimes against chastity this is the 21st century ffs. you can't blame the west for being concerned about such blatant abuses against women.

Jesus fucking Christ. Life couldn't cut one little break for that girl.

The reason why women in Iran are not like those in other islamic countries is simply because Iran wasn't an islamic country up until 1979.

___________________
1+1=10

quote:

Originally posted by DrUg_Tit0 The reason why women in Iran are not like those in other islamic countries is simply because Iran wasn't an islamic country up until 1979.

They were Islamic, but not predominantly.

Islam destroyed this beautiful country.

Iran should really do something about this problem and start blessing its own religions such as Baha'i or Zoroastrianism, Islam has no place for a country that started human rights.

quote:

Originally posted by Clovis I'm sorry but what does that have to do with wanting them to have more rights?

My point is they already have plenty of rights. Iranian women are not the shackled and oppressed type of Saudi Arabia, they're a completely different breed. But many ignorant observers complain about "women's rights" without making this distinction, kind of like putting Iraq and 9/11 in the same bin.

quote:

The reason why women in Iran are not like those in other islamic countries is simply because Iran wasn't an islamic country up until 1979.

A very appropriate explanation. I only wish this "non-Islamic" issue got more airtime in the media to enlighten the ignoramuses in this country. Too many people consider Iran an Islamic country.

___________________
"The favorite American pastime is not baseball, it's moral crusades."

Last edited by HardTranceProd on Jun-19-2009 at 20:02

quote:

Originally posted by HardTranceProd My point is they already have plenty of rights. Iranian women are not the shackled and oppressed type of Saudi Arabia, they're a completely different breed. But many ignorant observers complain about "women's rights" without making this distinction, kind of like putting Iraq and 9/11 in the same bin.

They don't have plenty of rights, they had plenty of rights. Those rights have been slowly taken away from them by the regime. And although the situation isn't like in Saudi Arabia yet, the ayatolahs would most certainly like for it to become such in years to come.

quote:

A very appropriate explanation. I only wish this "non-Islamic" issue got more airtime in the media to enlighten the ignoramuses in this country. Too many people consider Iran an Islamic country.

Well, maybe the official title, Islamic Republic of Iran, sorta hints at their social structure...They're not all islamic people, but the country is set up as a islamic theocracy.

___________________
1+1=10