Have I mentioned here that I exist in something of a news fast? I rarely if ever read the news. I might hear a few seconds of an update on the radio, and I see the backs of other people’s papers on the subway, but I’ve been on a news fast for a long time, mostly because I don’t trust a word that comes out of any major American news outlet. That’s a longer story.
The other reason is that lately, I am so incredibly hormonal. I really can’t figure out why. *rests hands on giant round gestating stomach* If I just sit here a minute I might come up with a reason… I can’t really put my finger on it. But yeah, most of the time, the news upsets me more than a little. I’m a lightweight. I admit it. Well, that’s not really the right word. I’m as big as a barn, and not light in weight at this time, but hormonally and emotionally speaking, I’m a bit of a wuss.
So reading about the following made me exceptionally glad I wasn’t wearing mascara today. I was crying out of rage and sorrow, and out of incredible pride and admiration.
On April 7, 2007, Dua Khalil Aswad, a 17 year old Yazidi Iraqi girl, was pulled into a crowd of men, some of whom were family members, and beaten and stoned to death as an “honor killing.” She had been seen in the company of a man of a different faith, a young man who was a Sunni Arab. Armed policemen were there, and the entire murder was captured on handheld video. No one did a thing to stop them or to save her. She died of a fractured skull and a broken spine.
A month later, Joss Whedon wrote about Khalil on Whedonesque, and his entry inspired a group of people led by Skyla Dawn Cameron to put together “an anthology of responses to Khalil’s death and the issues Whedon raised in his original essay ([the] culture of misogyny, violence against women, and the need for equality). It will be printed through Lulu.com, with all proceeds going to charity.” The planned release date is the one year anniversary of Dua Khalil’s death, April 7, 2008.
The book, Nothing But Red is seeking writers and artists to participate – and all formats, media, and genres are open – as well as volunteers to help put the book together. The first article will be Whedon’s original post, though the organizers are looking for anything that serves as a response to Khalil’s death. Submissions are being accepted from 1 August 2007 until 1 November 2007.
You can find out more at the Nothing But Red site, or email Skyla Dawn Cameron directly. But spreading the world is of the most help.
Thanks for the link.
Karen had the video up on her blog for a while. It’s beyond appalling when monsters like that try to claim the moral high ground by claiming they did it to preserve their “honor”.
Y’all need a hug emoticon too (you need to go watch Shrek or something happy to get your mind off it).
Otherwise, don’t get me started on this topic.
I’m really sorry. I forgot your gestation when I sent the link but thank you for putting up the information.
J-me – no need to apologize at all! I’m a sensitive Bitch even when not gestating, and besides, this is too important not to know about. No apologies needed, because I’m grateful to you for sending me the info.
I’m not gestating, and that story has been working me over like a punching bag for two hours now. It might sound odd, but thank you. Thank you for bringing this to my attention and for reminding me that there are things worth getting really angry about and fighting for. I’ll be spending time today trying to do my part to reduce the epidemic of violence against women.
I am nauseated at this story. I read it. I know it’s true, but somehow it seems impossible. Realistically, I know things like this have gone on for ages and today, in our global world with international news, we see more of it.
There is no honor in this. There is only shame. And frustation.
To segue for a moment to happier news, Sarah, I didn’t know you were prego too! Mazel Tov!
I pray that my daughters will grow up in a world where violence against women is taken seriously…and not just by a bunch of people that care, but by everyone.
Since I’m spawning as well, I simply couldn’t watch the video. I’ve been crying over tampex commercials.
And of course, my keyword is large93. DAMNIT!
I have no words.
On behalf of those organizing Nothing But Red, I thank you for spreading the word about what we’re doing!
Thank you so much for posting this. I got sidetracked from posting it on my blog when I couldn’t figure out how to make a donation to the Organization for Women’s Freedom in Iraq, and kept putting it off, etc etc etc…
Dumb of me. Anyway maybe someone here can figure out how to negotiate the donation area of the webasite of this important organization. Here’s information I got from Katha Politt’s column in The Nation.
‘The Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq runs shelters for battered women in four Iraqi cities and an “underground railroad” to conduct women at risk of murder to safe havens. In response to the murder of Doaa it is mounting an international campaign to ban honor killings and force Kurdish and Iraqi legal authorities to investigate and prosecute them. There have been demonstrations in London and Erbil; you can sign OWFI’s petition at http://www.equalityiniraq.com . You can also show your support for a democratic, secular Iraq in which women’s rights and lives are respected by clicking on “make a donation” or by wiring money to: Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, HSBC Bank, sort code 40-06-03, account number 91429574 (London).’
I can’t even describe what I’m feeling at this moment. I went to the link and could barely read it I felt so sick. And like ArkansasCyndi says, these kinds of things seem so impossible to me. I just don’t get it.
My hope is that due to modern technology, we will be more inclined to do something about these tragedies. No one can hide; the world is watching.
I am thankful for the US service men & women who willingly put their lives on the line, that these types of injustices can be made known (not hidden & encouraged by a sadistic & evil dictator). May the death of this young woman not be in vane, and her countrymen accept new ways that do not include the torture and murder of their children & loved ones.
When TV news programs report the news instead of commentary and celebrity goings on, I will once again go back to watching. And not before, grrrrrr.
My problem with this story is that I can’t imagine the father and uncle ever caring for this little girl. How could they kill so violently someone supposed to be precious to them?
Wendy – kill her violently, let a mob help and take pictures with their cell phones. Yeah, that says love…
I linked this on a few feminist birth sites I am on (*waves to a fellow gestating birthing goddess*), with more than a few Australian activists on it, so they will further spread the word.
Thanks for the heads up Sandy…oh, and I quoted what you said, and credited you in the linkback.
Just blows me away, gonna go hug my kid now..