In the novel Baghdad Without a Map by Tony Horwitz, many different culture’s and customs are revealed during his travels through different countries in the Middle-East. Our lifestyle as Americans is unfortunately filled with stereotypes, which is probably a reason why it was so different for Tony when he went to Yemen, one of the countries on his list to visit. When the Middle-East is brought up as a topic of discussion, it is most typically referred to as a poor, dry region surrounded by deserts. People are sometimes quick to judge that everyone from the Middle-East, whether they are women or men, are people who hate America. Though in some cases this is true, Tony Horwitz discovers that he is welcome in Yemen, and he is invited into a man’s home where he shares stories and “qat” with a group of men. The men are very welcoming and ask about the differences between America and their country. Tony tells them that women are treated fairly and that men have only one wife. The exchange between these men proves that not all Middle-Eastern people hate Americans. The main reason people probably stereotype the Middle-Eastern culture is because it is quite different from ours, but also, it has to do with fear. Ever since September 11, whether it is in airports or train stations or anywhere, any person of the Arab race is given weird glances and gives Americans an uneasy feeling. Americans do not understand that the culture of people from the Middle-East is different, and that it is normal for them to walk around with a turban on. They are mostly a peaceful race, trying to keep their country from becoming completely westernized so that they can keep their culture alive. Tony Horwitz’s trip to Yemen clearly shows that two different cultures can live together without causing problems.
EJ
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4 comments:
EJ brought up a great point, that the people living in the Middle-East are trying to keep their country from being completely westernized in order to preserve their own culture. Tony Horwitz went through a clear culture shock upon his arrival in Cairo, and I went through my own culture shock in reading the first few chapters of Baghdad without a Map. The main culture shock or at least the most evident one for me is the differences between the way women are treated here, in the United States, compared to how they are treated in the Middle East. I am constantly going back and forth between understanding to flat out disagreeing. I am not saying by any means that I feel I have a right to change their culture or their views at all. I am simply saying as a woman I sympathize for the women in the Middle East. It is hard for me to understand having grown up in a society where equality between sexes is constantly stressed, why they view women as inferior. From what I know about the Middle East and what I have read so far, it seems women are not given any power. They do not have the power to dress the way they choose, or marry whomever they choose and they surely do not have the power to vote. This book has reminded me how lucky I am to be given the right to vote, the right to dress however I choose, the ability to receive an education, the power to do virtually everything and anything a man can. But, I constantly find myself asking, why? Why are the women treated as inferior in the Middle East? Or in that case, why are the women in the United States treated as equals?
MLD
The Muslim world and culture seems so different and in many cases violent and ignorant to the rest of the world which throughout history it has proven to be so. I personally wish that the rest of the world and especially America will bring the Muslim world into the mainstream. It is of the utmost importance that we try to learn and respect the Muslim world because as we have seen our own ignorance has come to haunt us. I would not go so far as to say it is our ignorance of their culture that led to 9/11 but it could not have helped. In Iraq we need to send people who speak the language and understand the culture to help reestablish the country. I can not help but think that perhaps there is a reason why so many Muslims hate America. Granted it is a very complicated question that probably does not have a solution but I believe that it is most important to asses this question. I do not believe that the Qu’ran tells Muslims to hate Americans. Islam is by nature a peaceful religion; however, it has gotten into the hands of some of the most horrific men in history; who have forever distorted the image of this religion. Not all Muslim leaders are corrupt and not all American leaders are honest. In the light of all this violence there is an urgent need for understanding. Hopefully with some patience and hard work we could come to terms with our Muslim brothers and start over for the sake of our future generations.
H.C.F.
EJ brings up a very interesting point in the blog "Culture Shock." It is completely true that every since 9/11 people of the Arab race were automatically distrusted and labeled as terrorists. Not all people from the Middle East hate America. In fact, Tony Horwitz discovers that he is welcome in Yemen and realizes that not everyone over in the Middle East are our "terrorists." Sometimes as Americans we are quick to judge, and I'm not saying we are wrong after what happened on 9/11, but I do think it's wrong how us Americans automatically label every Arab person as a terrorist or someone who hates Americans. One of the major reasons why the Middle East doesn't like America is because it's trying to preserve it's own culture. The Middle East doesn't want to westernize, and they know that we are constantly trying to push our ideas and our culture on them. It's more both cultures fear and ignorance of the other culture that keeps us from joining together and achieving peace.
-BC
Hi, I have read your comments about the arab world, or precisely the Middle East.
Well, I am from palesine and live in the united arab emirate, But we have our rights just as our holy book "the Quran" gave us. Whereas, those who undermines the women or miss treat them are minorities, and it is not an arab culture, rather than it's their own families beliefs and values.
Bringing up the point, that i have been to the united states, and there are people in villages just as those "close-minde" as those we have in middle east. So, people should stop this stereotyping. I had once the chance to watch a movie , it's cakked " This is America", where it shows you the truth of what's going there in evert place in US, and how many people are mistreated and there voice can't reach to th governers just because they are minorities and people don't care about them
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