When I switched on my radio a few days after Christmas and was assaulted with the blunt statement that Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated, I felt a piece of my hopeful idealist whither inside of me.
My heart aches for the millions of Muslim women forced to endure the life of a slave at the hands of those that would kill a female Muslim leader as soon as flick a cigarette butt to the ground.
I despair for the women of the world, where even in a country like the U.S., a woman doesn't have a prayer if she chooses a life in politics. Stereotypes of the ball-busting, overly-emotional female continue to perpetuate the lie, women continue to be seen as lacking the qualifications for political seats, and the hired guns will continue to slaughter those that would actually do this world some good.
All the malicious stereotypes we are bombarded with about the Muslim community are in stark contrast to the life of Bhutto and what she represented. Twice, Bhutto was elected by the people, and twice she was sentenced to exile on corruption charges that were trumped up by scared little minds; scared of her power, of her compassion, and her intelligence. I suppose it was only a matter of time. The courageous keep fighting, and the weak do the only thing that those with no power can do—resort to violence.
She withstood a lifetime of tragedy and frame-ups, imprisonment and isolation, and yet held to her convictions and continued her fight for the equal rights of Muslim women, and women around the world.
The current U.S. administration continues to lead this country down a path with only one outcome. I hope and pray (as much as a person like me can pray) that the hearts and minds of all humanity are opened this year, and we all strive for a better way of living. A better way of life. Keep this all in mind as we become bogged down in the slander, the mud-slinging, and the political game of hungry hungry hippos that is a U.S. presidential election.
Don't let Bhutto's life end in vain. Happy new year.
I'm sorry to say that while she was very intelligent and a pioneer in many ways, she was corrupt. Her husband is notoriously corrupt and brought her down with him.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think my jaw just hit the steering wheel of my car at what Musharraf just said. I mean REALLY?!?!
no doubt there were issues and hidden aspects, but to me it was really what she symbolized. a symbol is more powerful than the individual that represents it, and i hope that what she represented can thrive, rather than be strangled in its infancy.
ReplyDeletewhat did musharraf say? i can't find it...
it saddens and angers me, women are still so powerless and so unable to change it otherwise... I wish Obama was a woman, black or otherwise, i.e a black woman would be a perfect start in a new world
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that a black man, despite how beaten down and opposed the black american culture is, would be President of the US before a woman, white or otherwise, ever would be.
ReplyDeleteIt remains to be seen if I am psychic or simply jaded.
And it keeps getting uglier:
ReplyDeletehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080108/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_laundry;_ylt=ApEWyjVlNCi2ULoz3KtexlGs0NUE
I won't be voting for her based on her politics, but man I almost wish she could win just to piss off the morons.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog by the way. I also wrote an article/journal entry on Bhutto. Well half on her assasination, and half on the crap happening in Kenya. But your piece inspired me to look up all female leaders in the world, just to get a picture. Check out the website I found:
filibustercartoons.com
Now, I dont mean to be insulting, but for a country that markets itself as democratic and free and all that Jazz, the USA is not even on the list!