Monthly Archives: September 2014

In ASTU class (A writing course at the University of British Columbia) we have begun reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi which embodies a prominent theme of feminism and gender inequality. Although this book takes place in the 1980s, it brings to light that the issue of gender inequality has been around for decades and still, unfortunately, exists today.
I was extending my procrastination on Facebook when I noticed someone had shared a speech made by Emma Watson (famously known by her character Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series). Out of boredom and an affinity for Harry Potter, I clicked the link and watched. 13 minutes later, there I sat, dumfounded and completely inspired. Her speech was unquestionably powerful and unexpectedly moving. Focusing on gender inequality, she reaches out to men in particular with the “He for She” campaign. The goal of this campaign is to once-and-for-all eliminate this issue. Watson states that “No country in the world can say that they have achieved gender equality.”

From a personal standpoint, I know what it is like to be objectified as a woman. Even in our so-called “open minded” and “liberal” society women are still seen as sluts for wearing low-cut tops or short shorts. Even yoga pants, which are very popular here in Vancouver, are seen as “sexy” due to the fact they are tight. In Persepolis, women are forced to wear veils and completely cover their bodies in order to conceal any signs of sexuality. Similarly, in high school we had a dress code for girls and if we disobeyed this code we had to wear the “skirt of shame.” But why should we be forced into thinking that the way we dress has a direct impact on men? Why can’t we just dress however we want? Why should we dress for anyone other than ourselves?
As a Canadian I see it as ludicrous for a country or any kind of community to tell women what they can and can not do.
However, we are not much better off. The issue of gender equality goes way beyond border lines and actually revolves around women on a global scale.

As Westerners we are often seen as (often by less “liberal” countries) being more advanced and open-minded. We are often idolized and envied by other cultures. In Persepolis, Satrapi goes through a Western-influenced, rebellious teenage phase. She wears Nikes and listens to Michael Jackson and provokingly shows some hair. But why should anyone idolize the West?
If Western culture has such an immense impact on the rest of the world, why don’t we start the domino effect? No country has reached gender quality, but why don’t we start? After all, isn’t that what it means to be a global citizen? To see everyone as your equal and eliminate the stereotypes and discriminations? To reach out to others globally? I leave you with the closing lines from Emma Watson’s speech: “If not me, who? If not now, when?”

He for She Campaign Website: http://www.heforshe.org/

Emma Watson’s United Nations Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-iFl4qhBsE

There is, unfortunately, an attack being made on Emma Watson in response to this speech. An unidentified group of internet hackers have threatened to expose “sexual” images of Emma Watson. This group does not agree with her campaign and state that “feminism is a growing cancer.” Full article here: http://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6832243/the-sexual-threats-against-emma-watson-are-an-attack-on-women

The opening line of Farhat Shazad’s The Role of Interpretive Communities in Remembering and Learning clearly states that “Students’ memories and learning strategies are situated in their social relationships, political orientations, cultural meanings, worldviews, and historical experiences.” This is undoubtably a fact. We look towards our past, present and future with eyes clouded by the impressions of our communities. Whether it be our families, friends, neighborhoods, cities or nations. Every community that we are a part of impacts our mindsets.
But what’s nagging at me: is this a good thing?
Our selective memories are all too often seen through rose-coloured glasses. Shahzad referenced the “War on Terror” and used students to recall their memories of 9/11. Comparatively, 9/11 happened while I was on vacation in Paris. I distinctly remember staring at the TV screen and watching the twin towers crumble into chaos. However, when I look back to that time, my memory is shrouded over with thoughts of beautiful Paris and how innocently happy I was. Sitting in my hotel, 3,627 miles away from the epicenter of tragedy; nothing could possibly infiltrate my bubble of elation. When I recall that vacation I think of the ferris wheel in the Jardin Des Tuileries and the many, many crepes.

10 years later I moved to Paris. My rose-coloured glasses were quickly shattered when all my important belongings where stolen right from my hands. That was only the beginning of many disheartening experiences. Coming from Canada and having known nothing but safe neighborhoods and private schools I was disgustingly unprepared. I was living in my tiny, misguided bubble filled with embarrassing naivety. Paris wasted no time in bursting that bubble and spitting me out into the real world. One of the biggest differences was watching the news. Watching the news in Vancouver is like watching the “happy channel”. For instance, someone finding their cat or a new sea otter at the Aquarium. Paris news was the opposite; It embedded this explicit fear that Paris was constantly at the risk of war and terrorism.
People are told what they want to hear and nobody wants to hear the horror stories. Especially not Canadians. We live in a safe country and we are told by our communities that there’s nothing else to know. Why scare people, right?
We tell people what we want them to hear and that’s the problem.

It began to genuinely irritate me that I was so horribly misinformed. How did I not know that there are people in Paris that make their living off scamming tourists? Or that riding the metro would lead to someone following me home? Or the constant riots?
I had been living my entire life in a tiny bubble only knowing the selective truths that had been passed on in my communities. Paris left me brutally awakened yet thankful. I left with a new found sense of the world and fresh perspective.
I now know that everything is not what it seems. Living in Canada we are alienated from the big picture. There are many things going on in this great big world of ours and it is up to us, personally, to decide how we remember, interpret and learn.

Here is an example of a “top story” from the Vancouver Sun: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/soldier+humiliated+after+service+denied+entry+restaurant/10216155/story.html

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