In the sixties, the Women's lib in the States led a rally, where feminists took off their bras and burnt them, as a sign of, well, "lib" (liberation). Today, some critics argue the act is a mere myth promoted by crazed feminists.
Whether myth or fact, I think those feminists should have taken off their shoes, instead!
In the Arab context, underwear in general is a big taboo, so to speak. I think Arab feminists can accommodate their cultures by organizing a strike, or a sit in, to protest the beauty industry's harsh foot conditions! There is no one single woman I know who hasn't been looking all her life for a shoe that doesn't cause blisters.
And I am not talking about stilettos, I am talking about good old ordinary shoes - that cost a fortune - but still give you a grumpy day.
One might argue organizing a protest against the shoe-making industry is a silly act in this time & age seeing that many nations around the world are hungry, homeless, and shoe-less. True, true... but no one thought the implications of throwing bras in the garbage was a pointless act. We think in metaphors, and shoes and fashion are a metaphor for the way society views women; as physical, external-beauty kinda folk.
According to About.com, "the symbolic act of tossing those clothes into the trash was meant as a serious critique of the modern beauty culture, of valuing women for their looks instead of their whole self. (Older feminists may remember that romantic line savvy men began to use, 'I love you for your mi
nd?')." Hmmm, I think this line is still widely used, I heard it so many times myself, and many of my "independent" female friends reported having heard it on countless occasions. When you are a strong-looking, working woman who doesn't put tonnes of make up on, this seems to be the most plausible thing a man can say to win your heart over.
About.com goes on to say: "Going braless felt like a revolutionary act - being comfortable above meeting social expectations." That's why I believe it's about time those pseudo office shoes - that are recently being termed as "boyfriend" shoes - get a serious beating for the pains they put us through.
And as I-don't-know-who said, “funny that a pair of really nice shoes makes us feel good in our heads — at the extreme opposite end of our bodies.”
Another cool shoe quote is by some Greek philosopher: “It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe."
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Freedom for the Arab... foot !
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5 comments:
I really love this post! I'm a 'western' woman and feminist living in the Arab World and empathize on all fronts. One note: the myth of bra-burning is not actually one promoted by crazed feminists. The term 'bra-burning' was originally coined by right-wingers reporting (with a heavy note of condescension) on the feminist movement. However, after that point, the myth became reality as some women decided it was a good enough idea to carry out! I would include citations, but I think the story is mainly here as an anecdote and lead-in to your more relevant story about the shoes. Again, Brava!
Jessamy
P.S. The part of the 'Arab World' where I currently reside is Alexandria, and I actually went to the concert where you were meant to perform with Eftekasat. Maalesh! I might be moving to Jordan next year, so hopefully I will have another opportunity to hear you live. In the meantime, I've really enjoyed all the music you have available here on your website. Keep rocking, writing, and being (amazing)!
oops! I meant to stick a qualifier in there (so as not to sound like the pompous posters that always annoy me): whenever I heard about this subject, and according the little google-research I did on it...(the term bra-burning, etc.). :) And of course, my sources are likely to be heavily tinged with the sentiments of American feminists, since that is my heritage!
Peace-
Hey Jessamy,
I wanna start by telling you your Balcony obsession and the pix you posted on your blog are beautiful. I share your obsession and find it quite inspiring seeing how people show their artistic side through their balconies; a pot of cactus here, a flower there, an old chair, a wooden stool...
Sorry I missed the Alexandria show, I wasn't feeling well, so I opted to take part in the Cairo Sufi-Jazz concerts and ended up not going to Alex.
My mom is a feminist, and other family members aren't. "Crazed feminists" is a term I heard repeatedly in my part of the world, hehehe. I find it amusing to see how one's struggle for freedom might be interpreted as a pang of craziness by another... tells you a lot about human communication!
Those American women who threw their bras were living in a society that prevented or frowned at them voting, working, going to university etc...
More than a century later, I think they have achieved their aims. Our women have a long way to go to equal that.
The thing about the pressure to wear an uncomfortable shoe to supposedly look good is that it's self imposed. Can you imagine an office where a manager would tell an employee her shoes aren't good enough ?
When I get to work, I remove the shoes and walk around in socks all day. It's just more comfortable and makes me more productive!
The only time my employer objected is when I wore shorts!
LOL, I love the shorts part :)
There is an office in Amman, in one of the biggest corporations, where you have the manager handing the new comers a circulation that specifies what kind of shoes they could wear. There specific specs for sandals, shoes open from the front, etc... because dress code is a big deal over there. in my recent youth, i applied to that job, and in my acceptance interview a girl I knew from uni nervously told me: "I'm not allowed to speak to visitors, but one piece of advice, this place is like a prison cell, run for your life. I know your brother and care enough to tell you this.. I gotta go, oh, God... he's gonna give me a warning!"
So it does exist... managers watching carefully what kinda shoe one wears
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