I wrote before about street harassment and how mean and harmful it is to the victims. My favorite cartoonist Carlos Latuff made two new cartoons about the issue in Egypt. Hats off for real, I adore your artwork!
It says "Don't turn your head away from street harassment" but in Egyptian slang.
In everyday life, women face different forms of harassment from males, either by just starring at them, commenting on their look, or calling them names, and sometimes by trying or actually touching parts of their bodies.
They say we have to blame the woman who's harassed for wearing some closes defined as explicit or wearing extra makeup. Some say that women should take it easy and accept "the compliments" given to her claiming that if a man got those "compliments" from random stranger females it would be his happy day.
Pay attention men, I want to clarify some points:
Clothes and makeup are not even a decent reason to justify being harassed, or girls with decent clothes would have been saved. For example, in my country Egypt and many other Muslim countries, we have women wearing Hijab and others wearing Purdah but they are still being harassed. You can't see a single piece of skin from a woman who wears Purdah you know..
A human being is free to wear whatever they want and it's not anybody's business if a woman went out totally naked.
Being harassed is totally annoying and not cute, and sure ain't getting anybody laid or even get a chance to know the chick's first name. It's totally stupid to think that all women are sluts that will open up for any stranger that gives them "a compliment". As a female, I want to walk down the streets at anytime wearing what I want very confident and not afraid that a jerk will try to harass me in any way.
Gender based harassment impact at least from 80 to 90 percent of women in the world, especially when they are young and alone in public places. Yeah, it's a global issue with all men. That happen in all communities, however cultural background, religions, education, and prosperity the society has; as if all men agreed that it's their right to do so as many were brought up thinking that women are just sexual beings made for their pleasure.
The blame all the blame is on the harasser, either a female or male, but not the victim of harassment; but I'm not defending male victims as the society already takes his side when this happen due to racism or classicism or any other reason. But when it comes to female victims, it's a totally different story as I said. Is the society always taking men's side??
"While the prevalence of street harassment may be new to many men who read or hear about it, it’s not to women. For generations, grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and older sisters have shared tips and advice to girls to try to keep them safe from men: Don’t go out alone after dark. Memorize a fake phone number. Carry mace. Dress conservatively. Ignore them." As Holly Kearl mentioned in her article in The Christian Science Monitor.
Holly continues:
"But it’s time to go beyond that well-intentioned advice which makes women feel less safe and often doesn't work. Given how widespread street harassment is, those tips have the effect of limiting women’s access to public spaces. It keeps them on guard, off the streets, and dependent on men as escorts. No country has achieved equality and no country will until women can navigate public places without experiencing or fearing street harassment. In short, street harassment must end."
Yeah! harassment should end, all human beings should be free to do what they want, go where they want, and be who they want without others interfering, commenting, or doing any counter act. Harassment is bullying based on gender by a so-called dominant gender on a so-called weaker gender...
I think to stop street harassment there should be some things to teach the harassers, the victims, and the society.
First for the harassers: They should learn that it's rude and uncool to harass a woman, she's not a property to control her and she's not created only for your pleasure. As men are allowed to do whatever they want without anybody commenting on them, women are also allowed to do so. The harasser should experience what a woman go through when she feels insecure and afraid to live her life properly because of those monsters out there. Kids should learn that both genders are equal on many levels and each should respect each other as humans. The whole sexiest thing against women should just stop.
You may wonder what a victim should learn to stop harassment. Well enough with the shit of wear socially accepted clothes! wear what you want and what defines you women. However, you should learn a few things:
You're not weak, fight for yourself, show them your claws and fangs.
Don't be afraid to kick the bastard's **** whenever you needed to, don't worry if it hurt him.
It's not your fault the world is full with jerks, you're the victim not the guilty.
You're more than just a body, you have a character, a soul, and a mind of your own.
Be confident, and don't hesitate in reporting your incident to the police whenever it happens, it's your right to punish the jerk.
For the society, most men and sadly many women think that "it's her fault", "take it easy it's no big deal", "don't ruin the dude's future by dragging him to the police just for harassing you", and most importantly "Men will always act like that". That sicks me! Societies should change the way they stand with men and against women in many things like this situation.
Some men may read the past sentence and say "what does women want more? they take most of our jobs, they are allowed to do many things we can't, and they can stay at home while we should work to support them! they have more than their rights.", well no dears, most women are oppressed, controlled, and brain washed by social norms and men in their lives. Try to be a woman for one day and you will know what I mean. Their minds are ruined enough to stand against their own kind side to side with the harasser.
The way kids are brought up defining a woman and a man the way they are defined is totally ruined! The way men are taught about women ans women about themselves should change. Society has to accept women as humans, they are natural being that have all the rights to live normal lives, just like men.
I'm not a men hater, I'm not anything other than a female who knows well the suffering that comes from harassment. All I ask for is some respect for me the rest of kind. We are more than just looks and bodies, we are souls and brains as well.
I saw this story posted by a Facebook page and decided to share it:
There was a 40 year old lady who couldn't have a kid since she was married at age 24. She tried everything she could but the doctors told her that she was barren. Her husband left her after 16 years of trying. She became so stressed up and spent most of her free time in meditation classes, religious circles and around pets and children homes.
At age 43, she found a local 50 yr old man whom she fell in love with as the man was well known to having lost all his family in a tragic road accident 10 years ago and was always lonely and single. Fortunately against all odds the woman became pregnant and she became the happiest lady in the world. She inspired a lot of women all aver the village and her ex husband bought them a beach house for appreciation. They got a cute baby girl and named her Patience. The baby was the world to her and she even gave her a nice dog at age 3 whom the small girl loved so much.
One day the mother went to the grocery shop and left the baby girl with the dog in the sitting room. On returning from the shop, she found the Dog with blood all over his face and pieces of the Patience's clothes on its claws. The woman couldn't bear it. She immediately took a hoe that was loosely and started beating the dog mercilessly until the Dog died. She then stopped crying and followed the blood stains on the floor to the bedroom. Where she found the baby girl Patience smiling naked on the chair and a dead python snake on the floor. The Dog had killed the snake and thus rescued the baby from the snake.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Don't always be fast to judge a book by the look of its cover no wonder the situation. God tests us in different ways and we should not fall short of his mercy and forgiveness.
The Internet has connected more than two billion people around the world. Some governments want to use a closed-door meeting in December to increase censorship and regulate the Internet. Join together to keep the Internet free and open.
Tell the world's governments you support a free and open web athttp://www.google.com/takeaction. Then spread the word with #freeandopen.
It is ours and it is free.
A free and open world
depends on a free and open web.
And a free and open web
depends on me.
I've just encountered an artist called Jason chan and he's amazing! He's a concept artist and illustorator for film, video games, and print.
I'm not an art critic to judge his artwork, but I find him pretty amazing and his art really worth watching.
Please check his Blogger site, and reply here to tell me your opinion.
An inspiring TED talk by Brené Brown talking about the power of vulnerabilities in human beings. Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.
I heard today that awesome song by Life House ft. Natasha Bedingfield. This single was released 11 September 2012. I really liked it that I listened to it over and over.
Lyrics:
Look around there's no one but you and me right here and now the way it it was meant to be there's a smile on my face knowing that together everything thats in our way were better then all right
walking between the raindrops riding the aftershock we stand cool off into the sunset living like there's nothing left to lose chasing after gold mines crossing the fine lines we knew hold on and take a breath ill be here every step walking between the raindrops with you
take me now the worlds such a crazy place when the walls come down you'll know i'm here to stay there's nothing i would change now were back together everything thats in our way were better then all right
walking between the raindrops riding the aftershock we stand cool off into the sunset living like there's nothing left to lose chasing after gold mines crossing the fine lines we knew hold on and take a breath ill be here every step walking between the raindrops with you
there's a smile on my face knowing that together everything thats in our way were better then all right
walking between the raindrops riding the aftershock we stand cool off into the sunset living like there's nothing left to lose chasing after gold mines crossing the fine lines we knew hold on and take a breath ill be here every step walking between the raindrops with you
Today is a day very close to my heart, it's the first day in Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It's the most beautiful month in the whole year, when people get closer to God and each other.
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship, Muslims should fast from down to sunset and focus more on prayers and reading al-Qur'an, leaving all irreligious acts. This clears their souls and make them better and closer to God.
At this time of the year, streets are all colorful and full of lights, people become more generous and social. There is that beautiful spirit that spreed every where and remove all the sadness, depression and all negative feelings that might get to anyone.
What is really beautiful is the family gathering everyday at sunset around the table in a fast breaking meal called "Iftar". Muslims first break their fast withthree dates with milk "as prophet Mohamed used to do" orjuice then pray the sunset prayer "Maghrib", after that the Iftar meal is served. All family members should sit around the table, sometimes friends and other people can join. It's the month of charity and love towards everyone.
What I love in this month too is the decorations that fill the streets everywhere. Here in Egypt, lanterns are lit and hung everywhere as a 800 years tradition and became a symbol of Ramadan. I really love these lanterns and their various shapes and sizes. Lanterns are only used for decorations and have no other purpose.
My favorite month in the whole year. I wish Allah would forgive my sins ans make me a better person. I wish Allah would respond my prayers and accept them. I wish that when this month ends no one would have a difficulty or a trouble. Thank you Allah for all of your gifts, humans are sinners and YOU always forgive us.
This is my second post in a very short time, although I have exams and I'm supposed to be busy, But when I listen to a beautiful song like Strong heart by one of my favorite Japanese singers Mai Kuraki I can't just ignore it. Enjoy it :) it's beautiful.
English lyrics
Don’t wanna cry because of you
I don’t want to cry any more
I’m here to say good-bye because I decided
to make this tear the very last one
STAND UP…
“I’ll love you forever” those words you gave me
still echo in my heart without fading away
I thought that I could be much, much stronger but
to see myself this weak
because I’ve forgotten about you
I can be more strong even if alone
I don’t want to lie to myself in order to be with you so
I said good-bye to you
I won’t look back at tomorrow
I know gotta go! go!
I’ll continue to walk on without losing Strong Woman
Don’t wanna cry because of you
I don’t want to cry into this heart now
I’m here to say good-bye because I’ve decided
to smile even if I have to force it
Bye-bye…
I’m here to say bye bye…
I’ll walk alone again when this night ends
before I’m unable to slip away from this sadness in my heart
it’ll be better if I can become a bit stronger
no one can ever steal my style
because I’ve forgotten about you
I can be more strong even if alone
I don’t want to lie to myself in order to be with you so
I said good-bye to you
I won’t look back at tomorrow
I know gotta go! go!
I’ll continue to walk on without losing Strong Woman
I became weak after loving you
why is it that my love’s so hard?
but NO to getting disheartened
I gotta stand up Strong Woman
STAND UP…
One of my favorite singers is Mai Kuraki. This song is one of the most beautiful songs by her, "Your best friend". It was used as the ending theme song number 40 of Detective Conan my favorite anime ever :D . Enjoy :)
The English lyrics:
although I want to understand everything about you
you hide your pain with your usual smile
but I know that you’ve been holding back your tears all this time
to the extent that it may break your heart
even if you act tough, if I look at your eyes
I know immediately, You’re my boyfriend
so you can lean on me
that feeling reaches me
it echoes deep in my heart
even if you don’t say it out loud
I know your heart, I’ll be nearby
even if we’re far apart right now
I can hear your heart’s voice
I know even if it’s not said out loud
You’re my boyfriend always
girl I know, about you
girl I know, what you think
about your heart that blames yourself
and I know, how you’ve always tried
not to show your tears
even when your heart was filled with anxiety
you’re acting tough, if I look at your eyes
I know immediately, You’re my best friend
so you can lean on me
that feeling reaches me
it echoes deep in my heart
even if you don’t say it out loud
I know your heart, I’ll be nearby
even if we’re far apart right now
I can hear your heart’s voice
I know even if it’s not said out loud
You’re my best friend always
the telepathy that connects the two of us
there’s nothing that’ll separate the two of us
I’ll continue to think of you no matter where I may be
because our hearts are connected
yes I know about you
and you know about me
we believe in each other so it’ll be ok
so you can lean on me
that feeling reaches me
it echoes deep in my heart
even if you don’t say it out loud
I know your heart, I’ll be nearby
even if we’re far, far apart
I can hear your heart’s voice
I know even if it’s not said out loud
You’re my best friend always
They say that music is the only language that is spoken by all human beings, music is a way to express yourself, music reflects feelings and culture, music shows the person's education and taste... and so many things.. Music is a set of tones or sounds that are put together to make a pleasant melody that amuse the ears of the listener, but not any melody amuses any listener, that's what makes a difference between everyone.
I'm one of the persons who believe that rock and pop are great (but I prefer rock, my favorite), classics are amazing, Piano pieces are the best of all. That's a great combination, as I enjoy Avril lavgine's songs and Ryuchi Sakamoto's piano pieces, I like some of Lady Gaga's songs (especially Poker face, Just dance, Paparazzi, and born this way. I'm no Gaga fan but these somehow got to my favorite songs list) and Taylor Swift's songs, I love Ayumi Hamasaki's songs along with Miranda Cosgrove and Demi Lovato, Natasha Beddingfield is amazing and Kelly Clarkson is wonderful, and don't forget the best band ever: the Beatles and the King of Pop: Michael Jackson . I like Abd 2l Halim Hafez's songs and Mohamed Monir's as well, they're both from my point of view the best Egyptian singers ever, Ahmed Mekki and Cairokee band are great too.
But am I the only person who agree that love songs should be sad or angry, like having sad or angry lyrics? happy love songs are not as good as the sad and angry ones. Sure there are many happy love songs that are great but unhappy love songs are always the best. Keep holding on by Avril, Soulmate by Natasha Beddingfield, What are you waiting for by Miranda Cosgrove, and many unhappy love songs that really touches the heart and expresses your feeling very well. Love is usually sad and heart breaking so those songs seems to be very convenient.
That doesn't mean that I don't like happy songs, I love here comes the sun by the Beatles, Unwritten by Natasha, behind enemy lines by Demi and many others :D. Actually songs that talk about live should be always happy songs, they can't be sad or even have sad music. Unlike the unhappy love songs that can have fast or non sad music like every time you lie by Demi or best damn thing by Avril.
