...PCD vs. Muslim Culture One thing America prides itself on is the freedom it allows its citizens, men and women; the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of choice—the freedom to live. As we have learned through media and even through school, there are cultures that don’t allow the same freedom and opportunity. In my project, I want to discuss gender roles, sexuality and the ways it could affect an individual’s life. In this specific video that I chose, these women are overtly sexy, they appear confident and their words are not words that an oppressive man would approve of, I’m sure. I don’t believe that these ladies are in full control of their actions on stage or their look; I want to see what affects the performance could have on not only American viewers, but Muslim viewers, as well as the performers, themselves. The Pussycat Dolls famous record “Don’t Cha” includes words that could be considered all kinds of things; they could definitely be considered unladylike if put in the wrong hands. In today’s society, women have a different kind of power that some cultures- -and simply some men- -are not accustomed to. “Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? Don't cha? Don't cha? Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me? Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me? Don't cha? Don't cha?” (Pussycat Dolls) How many guys really like a woman that is that direct and forward? I am fully aware that this...
Words: 2593 - Pages: 11
...Firstly, Hussein starts off my talking about how Pakistani women are generally seen as victims and oppressed because of the stigma created by foreign media. What Hussein points out though is that the U.S holds partial blame in the enhancement of power on religious extremist due to the U.S. intervention which led to the suffering of many people. She also talks about how many women were imprisoned under the Hudood Ordinances and were found to be innocent, but unfortunately had already served several years. However, Hussein’s main interest is in the women’s wing of the Jamaat-i-Islami because the women in this religious party are all defendants of the Hudood Ordinances and are responsible for strengthening the values that fall under the Hudood Ordinances. Pakistani feminist see the Hudood Ordinances as protective and see western values as a threat to women. The women who are members of the JI are a part of the elite group who hold an authoritative position meant to represent women in Pakistan and based on Hussein’s experience with interviewing women who are members of the JI, they are all professional and very well...
Words: 548 - Pages: 3
...The representation of terrorism, Islam and Muslim identities on popular US series Homeland Introduction Images of Muslim and Islam have dramatically increased in the media coverage as well as popular culture ever since we have entered the “post-9/11 era”, as Elizabeth Poole observed. (2008:81) The shocking real life images from the horrifying terrorist attack in September 2011 has triggered various interpretation on the discourse of what it means to be Muslim and the image of Islam and its culture in the western media, and still have profound influence even after more than a decade and ongoing. Apart from the coverage on news media, TV entertainment, especially TV dramas also provide a powerful outlet for the popular prevailing discourses on Muslim and Islamic culture, which compare to news reports, leaves a more vivid and graphic impression on audience with its discourse and narratives. The proposed subject I am going to study is revolved around the representation of Islam and Muslim identity in the popular US TV drama Homeland. (Showtime, 2011) Homeland (Showtime, 2011) has been arguably the most successful TV series focusing on the theme of counter-terrorism and national security across the Atlantic since 2011, following its predecessor 24 (Fox, 2001) developed by the same producers. When asked what made the show distinctive compared to its predecessors, Damian Lewis, who played as Sgt Nicholas Brody, the male lead in Homeland replied, “We feel a bit differently...
Words: 4172 - Pages: 17
...academic award and is solely my own work Signature of Candidate Type of Award School ___PhD_________________________________ ___Centre for Professional Ethics___________ 1 Abstract It was long assumed that both multiculturalism and feminism are connected to progressive movements and hence have comparable and compatible goals. However, both in academia and in popular media the critique on multiculturalism has grown and is often accompanied with arguments related to gender equality and/or feminism. According to political scientist Susan Moller Okin for example there are fundamental conflicts between our commitment to gender equality and the desire to respect the customs of minority cultures or religions. If we agree that women should not be disadvantaged because of their sex, she argues, we should not accept group rights that permit oppressive practices. Okin’s claims led to a complex and highly important debate both in academia and in public debates. The main aim of this thesis is to explore in depth the different discourses about multiculturalism and feminism and develop a more inclusive and nuanced...
Words: 97145 - Pages: 389
...politics, economy, society, arms race, colonialism and so on. Similarly, millions have to live and suffer in misery because of religious misunderstandings, disputes and conflicts. A great example of such misinterpretation in the day and age is the most widely discussed issues in the Muslim community is the negative image of Islam in the global media, an issue that was cause for concern even before 9/11. Nevertheless, “in this light it is wholly understandable that, in the aftermath of the brutal attacks of September 11, many in the west and in the Muslim world are appalled by the fact that the mass-murderer perpetrated on that day is being hailed by some Muslims as an act of Jihad”1. While appeals to the media for accuracy and fairness continue, newspaper headlines regularly print the words “Islam” and “Muslim” next to words like “fanatic,” “fundamentalist,” “militant,” “terrorist” and “violence.” Uses of the term “Jihad” in television programs and films are also illustrative. Therefore, this problematic subject leads to a subsequent question; what really is Jihad? After all, there is a great deal of confusion in the West regarding the meaning of Jihad and the role it is playing in shaping the Muslim world. Indeed, it has acquired a pejorative connotation in the minds of many Westerners. The purpose of this discussion is to present an accurate understanding of the concept of Jihad. 1. Joseph Lumbard , In Islam, Fundamentalism and the Betrayal of Tradition (Bloomington, IN...
Words: 3082 - Pages: 13
...sects, denominations, churches and New Age movements, and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice * Typologies of religious organisations: churches, denominations, sects and cults, with examples of each New Religious Movements and typologies of NRMs eg world rejecting/accommodating/affirming; millenarian beliefs, with examples of each * New Age movements and spirituality, with examples * The relationship of these organisations to religious and spiritual belief and practice. The relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs and practices * Reasons why people join NRMs, NAMs and other organisations * Gender and religion: women: women’s greater participation, women in religious organisations including NRMs; men’s participation and organisational roles in religions; sexuality and religion; images of gender in religions * Ethnicity and religion: religion and ethnic identity; religion in migrant...
Words: 23270 - Pages: 94
...denominations, churches and New Age movements, and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice * Typologies of religious organisations: churches, denominations, sects and cults, with examples of each New Religious Movements and typologies of NRMs eg world rejecting/accommodating/affirming; millenarian beliefs, with examples of each * New Age movements and spirituality, with examples * The relationship of these organisations to religious and spiritual belief and practice. The relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs and practices * Reasons why people join NRMs, NAMs and other organisations * Gender and religion: women: women’s greater participation, women in religious organisations including NRMs; men’s participation and organisational roles in religions; sexuality and religion; images of gender in religions * Ethnicity and religion: religion and ethnic...
Words: 23270 - Pages: 94
...Many people throughout the world have a hard time understanding what it means to be a Rasta. For some their troubles in understanding Rasta’s come because they look at Rastafari as only a religion. When one does this they run into many problems. This is because Rastafari is much more than a religion. It is a way of life, a social movement, as well as a mind set. Another reason why western people have a hard time understanding Rastafari is because the movement lacks the structure that the western world is use to. A lot of people’s understanding of Rasta’s only goes as far as to think that Rasta’s are people that live in Jamaica, smoke weed, and have Dreadlocks. These people do not begin to think what is behind the movement. The Development of Rastafari The Rastafari movement stems from the teachings of the great Jamaican leader and motivator of masses, Marces Garvey. Garvey told the African people of the world to unite and to return to African, the homeland. Garvey’s vision was for the “Blacks to overcome their feelings of inferiority and build upon their own unique and evolving culture, and ultimately return to Africa to redeem their homeland and to build a future”(Dubb. Pg2) Garvey’s vision and ability to unite people made the Jamaican people enlightened to what was going on in the world. Garvey created the U.N.I.A. and the Negro World newspaper, which helped to inform the Jamaicans of what was going on in the African world. Garvey told his followers, “Look towards...
Words: 6611 - Pages: 27
...Violence has existed for as long as there were men on Earth to take notice of it. Killings in nature do not fit into the category of violence since predatory animals kill to sustain themselves and remains the only option available to them. In the history of human civilization, man has never needed to kill another man in order to keep himself alive such as in the animal kingdom. A man’s basic needs can easily be met without the loss of another’s life. However, as a result of war, genocide, and just random killings, billions of lives have been taken. Although it can be argued that some of these killings have been random, or as the result of an accident, the majority occur over one basic reason: when two opposing parties don’t see eye-to-eye on an issue, one side can’t live with the fact that someone the other party disagrees, and instead of living with it, they would rather make sure the person was no longer alive. This phenomenon has occurred through out history with varying severity. From large scale offenses committed by the likes of Hitler and Caesar to more minimal but equally violent cases at the hands of those like John Wilkes Booth or OJ Simpson. All planned murders and killings are a result of some sort of disagreement. Christianity finds its foundation rooted in this phenomenon. The character of Jesus is perhaps one of the most popular and tragic victims in all of written history. His life on Earth was short and was filled with a tremendous amount of ridicule...
Words: 5368 - Pages: 22
...worldview of one of the monotheistic religions we have discussed with one other religion we have studied, mono or polytheistic. Explain three specific points of similarity and three clear differences in each world view. Given these similarities and differences, would you say the two religions compared are fundamentally at odds or in agreement concerning their understandings of human transformation in response to perceived ultimacy? 3.Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad: Compare and contrast TWO of the three figures above. Using specific examples, explain a major similarity and a major difference in the account of their lives, their teachings, and in the role given to each by their respective religions. Who do you find to be the more compelling spiritual leader and why? 4.Compare two different sects of the same western religion, either Judaism, Christianity or Islam. Explain three major ways the sects are similar in their understanding or practice of the religion, and three major differences. Based on the similarities and differences presented do you think the sects really vastly differ in their understanding of their religious life? If not, why not? If so, which sect do you find more spiritually insightful? 5. Compare the meaning of life in one of the monotheistic western religions and any one of the other religions we have studied. What does each religion take to be the meaning of life? How does each...
Words: 4757 - Pages: 20
...Gabriella Hatzopoulos War & Society Uniting Tactics, Divisive Consequences Rape, torture and murder against innocent civilians- what could cause someone to do such a thing? The My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War was a result of a war tactic that continues to be utilized today: racism and dehumanization of the enemy. This strategy, employed by the Armed Forces and facilitated by the media back on American soil has proven to be dangerous in that it causes both soldiers and civilians to treat an entire group as subhuman and unworthy of empathy. We can see this in the My Lai Massacre and through the persistent hare crimes against Muslims during the United States’ current “war on terror.” On March 16 1968, 140 men of the American Charlie Company entered the village of My Lai and were ordered to kill whoever they saw. There was the belief that the province of Quang Ngai where My Lai was located was a stronghold for Vietcong guerillas. After increasing frustration with losing their soldiers and not progressing in the war as much as they’d like, the group took their anger out on what was thought was a village of Vietcong enemies. It was the first chance they had to meet the enemy face to face instead of through grenades and booby traps and finally get even. Lieutenant William L. Calley ordered a search and destroy mission and urged that anyone in My Lai was to be considered connected to the Vietcong in some way, and should be killed. Though no guerillas were found when...
Words: 4184 - Pages: 17
...“Evaluate the view that religion is an important source of moral values in contemporary societies” The debate as to whether religion is a vital source of moral values in contemporary society is continuous. Sociologists aim to know and understand exactly how and if religion plays any role in current society. This leads us to ask what exactly religion is. According to sociologists, there are three main ways of defining religion: substantive, functional and social constructionist. Max Weber (1905) describes substantive religion as a belief in a superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically. Substantive definitions are exclusive – they draw a clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs. To be a religion, a set of beliefs must include beliefs in God or the supernatural. Functional definitions, however, are inclusive – allowing sociologists to include a wide range of beliefs and practices. Emile Durkheim (1915) defines it in terms of contribution it makes to social integration rather than specific belief in a higher being. Milton Yinger (1970) identifies functions that religion performs for individuals, such as answering ‘ultimate questions’. Whereas, the final definition is social constructionist takes an interpretivist approach focusing how religion is defined by the individual. This definition believes that it is impossible to produce a single universal definition of religion to cover all cases since in reality different individuals...
Words: 5435 - Pages: 22
...In the U.S.-led “global war on terrorism,” al-Qa`ida and its militant affiliates have come to serve as both symbol and explanatory matrix for a range of disparate militant groups in the Middle East and beyond. Included among these are the Palestinian rejectionist factions and the Lebanese Hizballah, despite the fact that their roots, worldviews, and agendas are inimical to those of al-Qa`ida. This article argues that the scholarly and political effort to lump together diverse resistance groups into a homogenous “terrorist enemy,” ultimately symbolized by Osama Bin Laden, is part and parcel of neocolonial power politics whereby all “native” struggles against established power structures are placed beyond reason and dialogue. The authors contend that while the Palestinian rejectionist factions and the Lebanese Hizballah may be understood as local representations of the anticolonial “third worldist” movement, al-Qa`ida and its affiliates operate within a “neo–third worldist” framework, a dichotomy that entails tactical and strategic differences, both political and military. The article draws on an extensive series of author interviews with leaders and cadres from Hizballah and the Palestinian factions. In response to al-Qa`ida’s 11 September 2001 attacks, the United States declared war not merely against those who had set upon it, but against an open-ended range of “terrorist organizations and those who harbor and support them.”1 Within two weeks of the attacks, U.S. President George...
Words: 9034 - Pages: 37
...in Mohsin Hamid’s the Reluctant Fundamentalist Abstract This essay will present a postcolonial study of how Eastern identity and Western identity clash in The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, the Pakistani- American novelist, and make the character of the protagonist a glocal one, (A mixture of global and local), a term newly coined by Postcolonial scholars to show the ever clashing mixture of global and local dualities in immigrants’ personalities. The basis for this research paper is the postcolonial theories of Edward Said, Fanon and Homi K. Bhabha. The aim is to question simply and sardonically the human cost of empire building, moreover it is discussed how the people in a totally alien culture are faced with different cultural predicaments, dilemmas as well as contradictions threatening their identity. Identity is supposed to be stable, while as this novel indicates, it is more of glocal identity which is at risk due to the cultural conflicts, as a result of which identity and ethnicity are subjected to change for the benefit of the hegemony. In line with Edward Said’s: “the East writes back” it is shown how this novel is a reaction to the discourse of colonization from the Pakistani side (which stands for the East) and welcomes de-colonization. Moreover it reflects the laments of the author for the terrorist label ascribed to Muslims, in terms of globalization, supported by the hegemony, being interpreted as * Email: dhayati@iaulamerd.ac.ir receipt: 14-8-2010...
Words: 7519 - Pages: 31
...majority voted for conviction, but there were also some who voted against it. This was mostly due to the fact that they valued the right to freedom of speech as a part of their political system more than any harm. In the end Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking a poisonous liquid. (Kraut, R. 2015) As time progressed many other cases of violation of freedom of speech took place. Galileo Galilei, for example was one of the first scientists to claim that the sun does not revolve around the earth. Being one of the most renowned scientists of his time many of his findings were scrutinized by his peers, the Church and the public. This new finding was no exception. Galilei was hauled before the Inquisition in 1633 for his heliocentric views. The Inquisition was a Roman Catholic institution that persecuted people who had ideas that were removed from established beliefs and customs. Galilei was not judged in the end, but he was forced to give up his beliefs of heliocentrism. In this case Galilei was robbed of his right to freedom of speech. (Wudka, J. (1998)) On November 24, 1859 Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species. In this work of literature he explained his theory of evolution and how he believed the human species descended from apes. This was a revolutionary theory at the time and naturally there were many people who disagreed with him. Especially the religious fundamentalists found his theory to be absurd as in their eyes God had created everything...
Words: 3812 - Pages: 16
