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because I'm that kind of an asshole
Jun. 23rd, 2009 06:40 pmThe constant media and social attention given to the death of Neda Agha Soltan is rooted in sexism and misogyny.
Don't believe me? Can you name one of the other protesters killed? Do you even remember hearing any of their names? But Neda is special, because she's a girl.
Me, I'm offended. I'm offended that the Basij, and quite possibly the police, are killing unarmed protesters. But I'm also offended that the actions of one protester in particular are lessened, diminished by the undue attention given to her sex rather than her actions or life. We're meant to be extra-appalled that the government thugs would openly kill a woman because of the unspoken idea that women are pure and good and above the level of protest and conflict (read: vital political life against an unwelcome government), such that killing one has the chilling moral effect of killing a child.
News flash: women aren't children. Last time I checked, they were adults, fully capable of being invested in ideals, politics and protest. To set one of them apart as something else, somehow different than all the other killings in Iran, offends me.
Don't believe me? Can you name one of the other protesters killed? Do you even remember hearing any of their names? But Neda is special, because she's a girl.
Me, I'm offended. I'm offended that the Basij, and quite possibly the police, are killing unarmed protesters. But I'm also offended that the actions of one protester in particular are lessened, diminished by the undue attention given to her sex rather than her actions or life. We're meant to be extra-appalled that the government thugs would openly kill a woman because of the unspoken idea that women are pure and good and above the level of protest and conflict (read: vital political life against an unwelcome government), such that killing one has the chilling moral effect of killing a child.
News flash: women aren't children. Last time I checked, they were adults, fully capable of being invested in ideals, politics and protest. To set one of them apart as something else, somehow different than all the other killings in Iran, offends me.
