They have been taught these
things since they were children.
I don’t care. They are
wrong.
Yes, I agree. But they
believe they are right, honorable, even.
They are criminals and need
to be punished.
Yes. Well, that may help
deter some. Others will be more careful, commit their crimes less publicly,
maybe, but they won’t stop believing that they are only doing what God, the one
they believe in, condones, encourages, rewards.
Women have to be protected.
Yes, but at what cost,
though? How many patrols, how many checkpoints, how many watchers will it need
to protect the women who go out at night with their hair, with their legs, with
their make-up?
Well, then. Borders. Close
them and send the refugees back.
And what of the refugee
women, children, and the many men who do not assault, rape, rob? Send them back
to starve or be killed?
Only let women and children
through, then. Or? I don’t know. I felt for them. I really did. But the gangs
are too much. Too dangerous and their ideas about women are repulsive.
Of course, yes. But some
believe in their rules to the point of death. In their homes, schools,
villages, everyone speaks only of these rules, incredible, horrible ideas to
us, about women. Even the women accept that their lives can only be honorable
if they live by these rules.
I don’t care. They are
wrong.
They have been taught these
things since they were children.
3 comments:
How can one win the argument when there is such an enormous gap in how each culture views women and their place in the society?
Societies laws insure conformity, as well as punishment for offenders. Some, humane - others barbaric.
You have clearly identified the problems. What's the solution?
A cultural clash that tests the best and worst of each. Only compromise can avert tragedy. You have boiled it down to its essence, Nonnie.
Powerful poem. Conflict well framed. Impressive image. Nice one about difficult subject.
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