On hiatus until further notice.
See last article Owning Women and Children
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Owning Women and Children
During end of year reviews of 2013, various television shows have celebrated individuals who influenced change in 2013. Of course, Malala was one of those honored for her courage and work to advance education among children -- especially girls -- worldwide.
Needless to say, Malala's Father is very proud of his intelligent and articulate daughter. Who wouldn't be? But despite his obvious esteem for her, he made a statement that caused knots in my stomach. He said that not only did he own her as a child, but the world owns her now, too. It may seem like splitting hairs to some, but I consider such remarks to be the cause of much suffering for others. You see, ownership of a person or persons by another or others is the definition of slavery.
It is this view of others, especially women and children, which has caused abuse of people. Slavery has been abolished in this country, if not worldwide. Nobody should "own" another individual. People are not stocks, bonds, cattle, pigs or any kind of marketable product. But when we inadvertently or intentionally state that we own someone, we disrespect them. We also, possibly subconsciously, continue the old viewpoint that man is a superior being and that women and children have no value in and of themselves. It implies they are owned by husband and father to be bought and sold at will.
Malala's father would probably be horrified to think that he implied his child was a commodity to be let go for the right price. Yet, men of many nations treat their wives and offspring in this manner.
Folks, nobody owns us. We belong to our God and ourselves, nobody else. Please let's all work on our subconscious thinking and not help to promote ancient traditions.
Needless to say, Malala's Father is very proud of his intelligent and articulate daughter. Who wouldn't be? But despite his obvious esteem for her, he made a statement that caused knots in my stomach. He said that not only did he own her as a child, but the world owns her now, too. It may seem like splitting hairs to some, but I consider such remarks to be the cause of much suffering for others. You see, ownership of a person or persons by another or others is the definition of slavery.
It is this view of others, especially women and children, which has caused abuse of people. Slavery has been abolished in this country, if not worldwide. Nobody should "own" another individual. People are not stocks, bonds, cattle, pigs or any kind of marketable product. But when we inadvertently or intentionally state that we own someone, we disrespect them. We also, possibly subconsciously, continue the old viewpoint that man is a superior being and that women and children have no value in and of themselves. It implies they are owned by husband and father to be bought and sold at will.
Malala's father would probably be horrified to think that he implied his child was a commodity to be let go for the right price. Yet, men of many nations treat their wives and offspring in this manner.
Folks, nobody owns us. We belong to our God and ourselves, nobody else. Please let's all work on our subconscious thinking and not help to promote ancient traditions.
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