I went for a photography exhibition. There were exhibits from a variety of photographers. But one was a video which was causing an angry reaction from a few NZ males. Why? Because only women were allowed to view it. This is something we, in India, would not make an outcry
about. You don't want us to see your video? Okay. But in NZ it has caused many to speak out against and for.
Many NZ males were annoyed. They said their taxes paid for the Dowse museum where the exhibition was being held as much as anyone else’s; that the exhibits in the museum should therefore be open to everyone. They said they would have no objections to the exhibition being held privately. Many others rose to the Dowse’s defence. We should respect and be sensitive towards other cultures and traditions, they said, and the Dowse did the right thing by respecting the wishes of the photographer.
Read the story and reactions for yourselves http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/7551626/Complaint-over-women-only-exhibit
Delving a bit deeper and from the Indian perspective, I have
a few questions. I know we would accept this decision of Sophia’s if the
exhibition were held in India. But I can’t help wondering what exactly our reasons for doing so would be. Have we, who’ve
lived with religious differences since centuries in India – 7 to 8 different
religions? – decided we are not going to stir up any controversy about things because
we are sensitive to other cultures? Or because we don’t really care? Or does it go deeper than that?
Do we believe that some of them are fanatical enough to threaten our lives if we do object on principle and that it isn't worth the effort? That if male eyes saw those faces, those poor women would be in mortal danger from some fanatical Muslim men? Is our attitude, let the Muslim women not show their faces if they don’t want to as long as we aren’t forced to do the same? Would we rather ignore the fact that in India the Muslim women were less concerned about showing their faces not too long ago when we were growing up in the sixties to the nineties? That many more Muslim women have started covering their faces since then? That they were freer and more relaxed in larger numbers then than now? That we don’t wish to get into any controversy and if they really want things to change the effort has to come from them and not us?
Do we believe that some of them are fanatical enough to threaten our lives if we do object on principle and that it isn't worth the effort? That if male eyes saw those faces, those poor women would be in mortal danger from some fanatical Muslim men? Is our attitude, let the Muslim women not show their faces if they don’t want to as long as we aren’t forced to do the same? Would we rather ignore the fact that in India the Muslim women were less concerned about showing their faces not too long ago when we were growing up in the sixties to the nineties? That many more Muslim women have started covering their faces since then? That they were freer and more relaxed in larger numbers then than now? That we don’t wish to get into any controversy and if they really want things to change the effort has to come from them and not us?
I would feel relaxed about it all except I often keep wondering if they
have been coerced into changing from those days to the women they are today –
with their freedom more curtailed than ever before or if they’ve changed of
their own volition. And I keep wondering if the intolerant in their community would like to try and impose their values
on women of other faiths in India.
Even as I was writing this another controversy overtook this issue. They showed a movie with the Muslim prophet, Mohammed, being mocked and shown in a poor light. The consequences were dire. Riots, anti American sentiment, even the killing of an American ambassador. I saw bits of that movie on Youtube. To my mind it was tasteless and offensive. I would give it a very poor review. I would even call it disgusting. I would stop watching it half way. But, I wouldn't blame the entire American world for it.
There are good Americans and stupid, insensitive ones just as there are people of all kinds all over the world.
Even as I was writing this another controversy overtook this issue. They showed a movie with the Muslim prophet, Mohammed, being mocked and shown in a poor light. The consequences were dire. Riots, anti American sentiment, even the killing of an American ambassador. I saw bits of that movie on Youtube. To my mind it was tasteless and offensive. I would give it a very poor review. I would even call it disgusting. I would stop watching it half way. But, I wouldn't blame the entire American world for it.
There are good Americans and stupid, insensitive ones just as there are people of all kinds all over the world.
That is one of the eternal questions, KayEM! At what point does cultural sensitivity stop and submission to intolerance begin?
ReplyDeleteToo true, CS. Wish someone would enlighten us in this case.
ReplyDeleteWhen we paint a whole country or a religion black, we do not stop to think that we are raising fingers at people who might be good and leading their own peaceful lives. It is typically human.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I do not understand the reason of creating a video which half of the people will not be able to see because of religious restrictions. Why segregate when you want to change mindsets?
We've lived with Muslims for centuries in India so we don't feel uncomfortable about hijabs and veils. Hopefully some women of the west who saw the video might understand that Muslim women are just like them - enjoying dressing up etc. In a way the objective might have been self defeating as not allowing NZ men to see something so ordinary would appear strange to them anyway.
DeleteEvery sentiment needs to be respected , KayEM!
ReplyDeleteI am okay with that, Rahul, as long as they don't expect us to follow their sentiments and ignore our own.
DeleteThey could balance it by having an equal number of men only events, in areas such as rugby and Halo 3.
ReplyDeletehaha, SC, then women and men would both be up in arms. Rugby is a religion here - transcends gender. (Don't know what Halo 3 is)
DeleteFreedom and tolerance are complementary and supplementary to each other. Total freedom is a myth. Similarly, people would become intolerant sometimes. For men, the grievance in this context would be, that they are being discriminated. They say 'what is that we can't see'. I think it would have been better the organizers avoided that exhibit in a common show. (It is not similar to a case where we make certain restrictions for minors). Well analyzed by KayEm
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sibi
DeleteHere's an interesting post on the same subject. http://bigthink.com/daylight-atheism/thoughts-on-the-embassy-attacks
ReplyDeleteAnd a Youtube video of Muslim clerics saying violence is not acceptable in Islam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfPwmqoJee4&feature=related
DeleteA discussion on the issue http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/294813/the-last-word-have-muslim-protests-become-an-overreaction.html
DeleteThese days there are all kinds of atrocities committed in the name of religion. And when somebody from outside that particular religion criticizes those acts, the whole religion feels threatened and then they have to try to tell people that all other faiths are inferior. And there's a whole new conflict.
ReplyDeleteI feel opposition/changes should come from within each religion. And right now it feels like that's a lot to ask for. :(
Well said, DN. Atrocities in the name of anything - religion, way of life, culture – are inexcusable but the reality is that they happen all over the world. Wonder why when more people seem to be humane and nonviolent than not. I think not letting the violent escape punishment is the key. We need to unite to ensure our politicians and the judiciary bring the violent to justice.
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