Good Job, Margaret

Submitted by Zella (United States), Oct 24, 2009 at 23:10

I commend you for being brave enough to try to educate others on how little women are valued in some cultures and religions. Far too many western women take their freedoms for granted and have absolutely no idea how women in other cultures/religions are treated. My great-grandmother was the last woman in our family to wear the abaya and hijab and I have a picture of her holding me when I was an infant. I look at the picture often and count my blessings. When her father (my great-great grandfather) died, she became a landowner and was able to spend the rest of her life as a successful woman. She even changed her name and never looked back. I believe that her saving grace was her American Indian mother who offered encouragement and support. Unfortunately, very few of these stories have a happy ending.

I believe that any religion or culture that does not hold its female members in highest esteem will never know peace and prosperity. I further believe that any culture/religion that does not protect its unborn, young, and elders is not a civilized culture/religion. In my family, our elders are cared for in the home until they take their last breath. I was raised in my grandmother's house and both she and my great-grandmother taught me how to respect nature, others and myself and to always be thankful for what I have instead of what I think I should have.

Again, I commend you for being one of the very few who has taken the initiative to learn about other cultures/religions. If just one woman learns from the information, your teachings will not be in vain. I will never understand how any woman can possibly believe that she is "loved" by a man who from the moment of conception was led to believe that he is superior to a woman.

God endowed you with good common sense and a thirst for knowledge. Good luck to you and keep on "spreading the word".

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