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Ferguson

After the grand jury chose to not indict Darren Wilson, the officer who shot the young Michael Brown fires and riots erupted as residence mutinied in Ferguson, Missouri. I can never understand what destroying your own community can accomplish in a time like this. In the suburbs of St. Louis it's hard to imagine why could cause such a thing. The clashing stories and racist allegations create a hostile environment, and now the community reflects its feelings in the destruction of the city. While this is all startling, the case itself seems to be unconventional. Many things were done differently in this trial, and this community doesn't agree with the decision. I've now decided that I don't either. Regardless of the situation, Michael Brown was shot several times after Wilson emptied two rounds into the night. How is it fair that an unarmed teenager was continuously shot for stealing a cigarillo? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he was shot to begin with. Where was Wilson's taser? or pepper spray? Or how about you chase the kid instead of shooting from a far? I really can't seem to understand the case fully or why the community responded by creating more violence.

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Book Club Blog Post #4

 As I reached the end of the novel, Princess By Jean Sasson, I found myself disappointed with the anti-climactic ending, yet grateful for the well-being of Sultana. I was hoping that the story would end with her escape, although her husband seems to be fairly kind (especially in relation to the other men in the novel) I found myself wanting more for Sultana. Sultana would be able to thrive in a country like ours, where the only way to succeed as a woman is to do it with a little sass and attitude that is well excepted in our country. More so, sticking up for oneself which Sultana does throughout the book with deliberation, intent, and consideration. Without these boundaries of the Saudi Arabian men, I think Sultana would be able to grow into a well-respected woman of the United States. Behind her drive would be the encouragement and resources to do so. The country of Saudi Arabia even allows "a woman's room" or a room that keeps woman confined to a cell without windows, contact, or entertainment. This is by far one of the sickest, cruelest and disgusting habitual acts in this novel. How is that even humane? How could that ever be justified or dignified? How could a country worship a god that would allow that? The final anecdote of experience in Saudi Arabia is that of, Widad. Widad was traveling to Saudi Arabia and her daughter was kidnapped and her kidney was stolen. Saudi men in this novel have taken everything from women in this novel, rights, virtue, a voice, and now they are stealing organs? What was more memorable was what Widad said to Sultana in the haste of her story. Widad says, "While it is true that financial desperation leads foreigners to Saudi Arabia, you are still hated by all that have known you." This statement stuck out to me for its truthfulness. I have never been to Saudi Arabia and now can promise that I never will, for I have never heard such stories of degradation and malice until reading this novel.

Dorothy Stratten

The magazine feature "Death of a Playmate" stuck out to me for a few reasons. I thought it was unlike many stories about murder and death, where they focused so much on the life of Dorothy Stratten. This interesting perspective made Dorothy more relatable. The author of the story reflects on her stardom and untimely finish as a playboy bunny and actress. It bothered me that the author of the article was trying to contend that the impression Dorothy left on men was more memorable than her herself. The article was written shortly after her death, and can hardly be seen as a eulogistic. Instead of remembering Dorothy the way those who loved her did, I think the article made her seem like a young fame-thirsty girl in some parts. In the beginning of the story it is even explained that she had very little aspirations for herself and never planned a career in Hollywood until she met Paul Snider. Another interesting detail of the story is the discussion of the actual death. The article suggests that there are theories that believe Snider is innocent. This truly bothered, throughout the article there seemed to be a darkness cast around Paul. Paul seemed to be entitled, selfish and some what of a con-artist. And his obsession with Dorothy was evident. Finding out that Dorothy had most likely been raped was a hard line to read. How could someone who claimed to love her also be the one to destroy her? A crime of passion, no doubt, but one that seems all to unfair. Dorothy was a small town girl who was pushed by a man she thought loved her, only to discover his animosity for her loving someone else.

Book Club Blog Post #4

One of the aspects of this book that is so powerful is the use of other Saudi Arabian women and their stories. When I read Chapter 15 I felt something deep inside me for Amal, the young girl who was stoned to death after she was raped. For any young woman to have to go through the horror of sexual abuse is one thing, but this poor girl was raped, humiliated, became pregnant, then murdered after the birth of her daughter )whose situation after birth remains unknown in the novel). It is hard to say, but I think if I were Amal, I wouldn't have much will to live. Stripped of all her character, rights and life, Amal is murdered in the most brutal of ways. The archaic condemnation of being publicly stoned is not something I would wish upon my worst enemy. What's even worse, these gang-raper group of teenage boys receive no punishment for their indecencies. It's even more startling that the rapists were friends of Amal's brother and he did nothing to stop her cruel punishment. The book states, "In the world of Arabs, blame for unsanctioned sex is placed wholly on the shoulders of the female." So not only does that statement basically give men the right to rape women, but it makes it virtually impossible for anything to be done after this heinous crime against humanity. The further I read into this book, I find myself more disgusted in the men of Saudi Arabia and more grateful of the freedom I have.

Book Club Blog Post #3

I was grateful as a reader to find that Sultana managed to escape marrying a man exactly like her farther and brother. Although Kareem is not the ideal man, he might just be the ideal Saudi Arabian man. Throughout this novel, the oppression that Sultana has experienced through the men in her life is starting to wane. With her husband's progressive thinking Sultana will be able to continue her education and live a life with Kareem that shows some compassion, despite the darkness that still surrounds her life in the Saudi Land. One passage that stuck out to me was when Sultana was describing her visit to London and having to admit to people that she would actually get to meet her fiance before their wedding, which was unaccustomed. Then the book reads, "Those who are fee cannot fathom the value of small victories for those who live on a tether." I have always prided myself on finding happiness in the little things in life, but I never considered what those little things could mean to someone else. Something so precious in life is the idea of marriage, committing yourself to one person your whole life. While living in America, I have that luxury to choose and unchoose who I want, where for Saudi Arabian woman that is a fantasy that they cant even imagine. The facade of marriage in Saudi Arabia is more like slavery for the women; they are chosen, bargained for, and aren't even guaranteed monogamy  in their matrimony.