"women and girls are so cheap in this society, so they can destroy them, they can just throw them out, they can get them easily. So it doesn't matter to them. And often these young children are just victims of the cruel mentality of the adult man." --WTF?
@angryblackgurl: Personally I don't comment because I don't know what to say. If I do comment, it will likely be inappropriate because I don't know how to react.
@Kirkat: Yeah, I don't want to add to the echo chamber of obvious "this is so depressing" comments. It's just hard to think of what to say without sounding...I don't know. See? I don't even know what to say about my lack of commenting on this type of issue.
@angryblackgurl: I know. It always dissappoints me that the fluffy pop pieces get so much more attention than posts like these, which are SO important.
@angryblackgurl: I agree with HadwinBabazoid's reply to this... These are educational pieces, and I fully appreciate the links to interesting and informative things, but it seems rather pointless to say "oh this is sad." at most, commenters pointing out other sources of information such as websites, books, documentaries, organizations to get involved in... these are important. but i think that the most important service of posts like these is to INFORM people of global and human rights issues. Many people go on to re-post to their facebook or email to friends, etc, which is spreading the knowledge and awareness of issues. so they will have more informed conversations, decisions, etc. I think the lack of commentary in no way reflects the lack of interest or empathy or activism on Jez commenters.
I'm respectful of cultural relevancy, but it's things like this that make me wish we could get together an all-female army and go in and invade for women's rights and instill a massive re-education program complete with increased literacy for all, men and women.
I just love that it's the innocent victims of these attacks who receive heaps of scorn, derision, and revulsion. It really reaffirms my faith in the human race.
@wtfox?!: It reminds me of how rape victims are often cast out of their families and communities. I just don't get it - why do people consistently shun the female victims, not the male abusers? It speaks to a fundamental belief that women somehow deserve any punishment a man decides to mete out, no matter how random or arbitrary.
@Artemis47: YES. This is why I get incredibly angry at songs like "U.R.A.Q.T." by M.I.A., a song where she catches her boyfriend cheating and CHASTISES THE GIRL HE WAS CHEATING WITH.
I am simultaneously proud of and ashamed of my country. I was born in the states, but i regret visiting every time because of the disgusting attitude many have towards women. Not only are they expected to be quiet and obedient, but religious as well. I was walking down the street one day without my head covered and had a rock thrown at me from a truck. but this is the first time i've really heard of Bangladeshi woman standing up for themselves.
@the zeeba is galápagosing it up!: This may be obvious, but are you familiar with Mohamed Yunus and the microfinance programs that he pioneered in Bangladesh, and are now popular world wide? There's a major female-empowerment aspect to that movement, and it originated in Bangladesh.
@CherriSpryte: yeah, I actually met him :) it has helped a considerable amount and I've actually educated a number of my friends about it (3rd world economics isn't generally a talking point for sixteen year olds) and gotten them interested. It's a fantastic advancement for Bangladesh, you're right, I was just thinking of the widespread attitude towards women in the parts of Bangladesh I've been to.
@curiousgeorgiana: Had to post, as I am currently doing the exact same thing, minus tears.
As for this story. It is tragic, but 180 events in a year out of 150 million people does not make it common. In fact that is very rare, thank god. If I thought this was happening all the time, I'd feel twice as sick as I do. There are more murders per year in a lot of US cities alone. Jesus, when you have to use that argument to make you feel better... fuck.
Ditto to everyone on how horrible this is. And I bet if is somehow forced into marriage, she'll also be forced into marriage relations. A man who doesn't care if his wife wants to marry him also probably won't care about other stuff.
This is sickening. Without getting all Lee Greenwood up in here, I'm glad I live somewhere where I can be 24 and single and my mom not ashamed of me. In fact, my mom has said she's proud of me for not marrying young.
I've never really asked my dad about it, but I doubt he cares either.
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I mean fuck.
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And now I'm crying over my contracts textbook in a law library. Inspiring indeed.
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08/25/09
As for this story. It is tragic, but 180 events in a year out of 150 million people does not make it common. In fact that is very rare, thank god. If I thought this was happening all the time, I'd feel twice as sick as I do. There are more murders per year in a lot of US cities alone. Jesus, when you have to use that argument to make you feel better... fuck.
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And yes, my faith on humanity meter has been running quite low these days.
12/09/08
This is sickening. Without getting all Lee Greenwood up in here, I'm glad I live somewhere where I can be 24 and single and my mom not ashamed of me. In fact, my mom has said she's proud of me for not marrying young.
I've never really asked my dad about it, but I doubt he cares either.
12/09/08