Why do I write in Arabic? Because my targeted audience speaks Arabic. I know that many bloggers write in English because they either seek a wider audience or they want people in the west to get involved and support their cause. Though, I don’t mind support from non-Arabs, I’m seeking to create change in the Arab world and not in the west. Change must be organic, meaning that it has to come from within. If there is a campaign to release someone or to stop the execution of someone for instance, outside pressure can help. But in the case of my blog, I need to talk to my fellow Arabs and help them see the world as I see it as an Arab woman. I want them to see the oppression that we go through, the pain and the injustice that we are subjected to on a daily basis. Of course, I have to speak in the language that I know all of them understand, which is Arabic. I know that there are many Westerners who wholeheartedly support Arab causes out of their deep conviction that we are all humans and we all deserve to have full human rights and those are my true allies. But there are those who claim to support Arab causes though they don’t have good intentions towards us. There are the Islamophobes, orientalists and racists who would jump on any chance to hurt the Arabs. And I know that they will be more than happy to exploit my criticism of misogyny in the Arab to advance their dirty goals at our expense. I’ve seen this happen many times. It’s a double-edged sword that I have to deal with. They can continue to be the assholes they are and exploit our pain for their racist agendas, but that shouldn’t stop me from criticizing misogyny in the Arab world. A nation doesn’t mature unless it recognizes its ills and eradicates them. Airing our dirty laundry is not a crime, but pretending that everything is nice and dandy while women continue to suffer is not ethical. I have the chance that many Arab women don’t have. I can express myself and I have the means to do that and reach as many people as I can on the web. It’s my duty towards them to tell their stories and share their pain with their fellow sisters. They need to know that they are not alone in this and it’s not their fault.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:26:39 +0000