A modern “to be or not to be” [Archives:2006/933/Community]
Salwa Yehia Al-Eryani
This is the phrase Shakespeare coined centuries ago and I consider it a very up-to-date question. Also, I bet we all continuously have repeated it inside our souls for the past few years, especially after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Should we be against the invasion of Iraq only? Or should we become braver and fight against all that the U.S. has brought up in our society? The U.S. not only has occupied an Arab and Muslim land, insulted and tortured Arab and Muslim peoples who are part of our nation, but also impudently shown wild violence, sexual abuses and disrespect on all satellite channels. The whole world saw the extremely nasty face of the U.S.
Honestly, the U.S. has inflicted harm upon us. This country is undertaking many hostile actions behind a mask of freedom and justice. Some superficial individuals find this convincing and I'm sure they are making a tremendous effort to believe it is so. They simply hate their governments and life difficulties. Because they suffer, they think the U.S. is the shelter. For that, they welcome any breeze coming from the land of Uncle Sam. Such individuals exist. We live with them and we shouldn't try to deny them. For example, those participating in the depiction of naked female bodies in nearly all video clips attempt to appear free, civilized, modern and unrestricted by any chains, even if those chains are of religion or social traditions.
Those allowing SMS messages 'exclusively for chatting' to appear in music channel subtitles and even established channels surely are trying to appear free and modern. This also is evident on programs like “Star Academy” where even kissing occurs.
Young men and teenagers wearing baggy pants, caps curved backwards and sleeveless T-shirts also are imitating the West, more specifically the U.S. Those who admire Western music and different dances like break dancing are doing it to appear modern. Those who say “Wow,” “Hi” and “Thanks” in English are doing the same thing. Girls who wear very short skirts, show too much of their bodies and have boyfriends are simply sick.
However, seeking the West's satisfaction also can take another form, for example, Yemeni women appearing in our government in different ministries. While I encourage such a move, I would ask a simple question: Why only recently have our government's decision makers allowed women to participate? This should have happened a long time ago. Are women now being used as decor to complete the scene?
Materialism is another hateful guest in our society and relationships, as there is a price for any and everything. If you do someone a favor, then you surely want a reward or something in return. In other words, nothing is free of charge. For example, being around or close friends with a rich individual is mentioned with tremendous pride, even if that person is corrupt and acquired his wealth in an unlawful manner. Such people wait for some type of monetary reward, lunch, dinner or qat; they may even expect a ride in an expensive new car. The language of exchanged advantages is a very rubbery and varied one.
So, finally I'm afraid we are a people who cannot or are not yet qualified to distinguish the good from the bad. Therefore, to be always on the safe side, I prefer one decide either to be extremely against what the U.S. has brought up in our society or completely for it. This way, things are easier, like teaching the English alphabet (ABC) in our schools' kindergartens until the whole thing is finished, then learning the Arabic alphabet (Alif Ba Ta). People disagree and discuss which alphabet should be given first to kindergarteners: the Arabic, as it is our mother tongue, or the English, as it is the international language. Honestly, it is a question we must ask ourselves: “To be or not to be?”
Salwa Yehia Al-Eryani is a Yemeni short-story writer with several literature publications. She published a 1991 short story collection entitled, “A Moment of Sorrow.”
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