- Qusay ponders the questions of identity and social change: “I am a product of that change, along with many others, just take a look at the Saudi’s writing in English. English is almost our first language, we grew up watching American shows and we dressed like the cool people we saw on TV. When we went out we ate fast food, and listened to American music, and watched Hollywood movies (not in theatres of course).” I wonder if I’m one the bloggers he is talking about. I don’t think that I’m one of them. I think my view of our society has more to do with our past, which I believe was better, than with what Western media sell as their lifestyle vs ours.
- The Philosophy Cube writes about the women’s rights movement in Saudi Arabia. Or rather the lack thereof. I think many of us agree that the economic factor is one of the strongest catalysts for change. “In light of all the social intricacies within the society, I am sure that it is poverty alone and the struggles of the lower classes that will bring Women’s Rights to the country.”
- Today’s picture:
Cynthia Cook sits down to have her hands adorned with henna in a local summer festival here in Hofuf, east of Saudi Arabia. Cook is the Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate in Dhahran, and she was part of an American delegation that visited the festival earlier this week. You know, public diplomacy and stuff :P
6 thoughts on “Identity and social change, women’s rights movements, US diplomat in henna”
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Saudi Jeans 
If u were one of the bloggers that I mentioned, I would not have followed your blog ;)
Well, I think it is good to read for people we disagree with :-)
Reading yes, following is a different story :)
If it takes poverty to create women’s movements in Saudi Arabia…..we could be waiting for some time indeed.
I don’t think that economy is the only driver for change when it comes to women rights. When people believe of their value as individuals, lots can be done regardless of the social or economic class.
In Europe, the pressure for women’s rights came from the middle and upper classes, not from the poor. The big step in Britain was the Married Women’s Property Act (1882) which allowed women to own and control property independently of their husbands.
That only matters for women who have property, not for the poor.
I don’t know about the equivalent steps in France, Germany, etc.