Notice who supports the practice -- women! Thanks to Little Green Footballs.
A sobering article about the Arab practice of honor killings for getting caught in sexual activity without benefit of a wedding ring, eloping, and adultery: Anything But Shame
"She deserves it [murder]," says Um Khalid, an older woman with crackling brown eyes and a bright yellow jalabiya, without pausing to consider otherwise.
"Her behavior affects the entire family. In this case, she has to die," says another woman in her 30s, leaning against a pillow. In the eyes of this traditional, close-knit and socially conservative society, bringing shame on the family could lead to ostracism. That in itself is a virtual death sentence for the generations remaining in the same houses within the same social circles.
"Women are harsher than men on this issue," explains Asha, the social worker. They have to distance themselves publicly from the shameful behavior "to avoid being associated with it."
Otherwise "no one would marry any girls in the family," says one girl, as she serves more sweet tea laden with mint. Killing the deviant, the women argue, redeems the family’s honor, allowing it to return to the social circle, reputation intact or even enhanced.
Um Khalid, the most vocal of the group, is quick to point out that a girl's scandalous behavior does not necessarily merit death. The problem arises, she says, when other people begin to find out.
Ah, note that last sentence again.
***a girl's scandalous behavior does not necessarily merit death. The problem arises, she says, when other people begin to find out.***
Do you remember the revirginization doctors operating on some of these young ladies in Europe? I have mentioned them in a previous post. Funny how it is the getting caught and the gossip, rather than the sexual activity itself -- that calls for public repudiation and killing! These ladies could make it in the West, I think. Their hypocrisy would fit right in -- except for the public stoning and murder for sexual activity outside marriage, and for adultery, of course. They could apply all that vitriol to those who are not politically correct, I suppose; it has to be released somewhere. NJC
