Jordanian journalist and human rights activist Rana Husseini talks about honor killings. Her book Murder in the Name of Honor investigates honor crimes against women and the cultures that support and condone them around the world.
I was amazed reading Murder in the Name of Honor. This is the second book I read a bout the topic since I became possessed about the topic. I see much fairness and objectivity by Rana in addressing: the problem of honor killing, the journey of change by the Committee, and the personal experience of Rana with this topic since 1994. I am particularly glad about the way she has used to highlight the reasons (according to the people who lived it) and the associated factors such as society values, poverty, illiteracy...etc. I was also glad that she has emphasized that Islam is not be blamed about honor killing, which I did not see in my previous readings. I will recommend this book to my friends here.
Dec. 25 2009 07:37 PM
Score: 0/0
Yazmin
from Norwalk, CT
Leonard, I find it a bit unbelievable that you would say that 99% of Americans believe that if a woman is raped that she has suffered a horrible crime. Sadly, it only takes a rape to reach the news, especially if it involves a famous man, to see that this isn't the case. As Ms. Husseini described, the media's depictions of high-profile rape allegations, like with Kobe Bryant, or Mike Tyson, center on the victim and her behavior, not her perpetrator and his crime. You have only to speak to any of the professionals who work in the sexual violence or intimate partner/domestic violence communities to see that this societal victim-blaming goes on every day. Even if you spoke to those who work to prosecute batterers, rapists, pedophiles, and other men who have assaulted, battered, abused, and killed women in their lives, and you will quickly see how society's assumption of the victim's guilt is stronger than society's desire to hold the perpetrator accountable. You might want to do a show on this very topic- and focus first on here in U.S. and the domestic nature of this worldwide epidemic of violence against women & girls, and then focus on the global nature of this terrible epidemic and the similar, unifying causes of both. I would really appreciate hearing your show tackle this topic, as I know you could do it justice in a way few other programs in media could.
Nov. 13 2009 01:09 PM
Score: 0/0
thomas
from manhattan
Leonard, what was the name of the Turkish film you mentioned?
Nov. 13 2009 12:57 PM
Score: 0/0
maryann Stewart
from nyc
Thank you Rana for telling this story - there are so many more - It's hard to believe it happens
Nov. 13 2009 12:52 PM
Score: 0/0
Megan
from New York
I am so glad this topic is being address from this "global" perspective. Earlier this year, an honour killing in my home country of Canada sparked a furour...but in truth, these kinds of killings take different forms in different cultures, including North America. As Ms. Huseinni states, three women die per day in the US from domestic violence. Why do we not talk about this more? I feel that we have stopped caring about women's issues, and hope we as a culture look at these "honour" killings with this admirable, broader view.
I'm curious if Ms. Husseini has received any threats for her work?
Nov. 13 2009 12:50 PM
Score: 0/0
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Comments [5]
I was amazed reading Murder in the Name of Honor. This is the second book I read a bout the topic since I became possessed about the topic. I see much fairness and objectivity by Rana in addressing: the problem of honor killing, the journey of change by the Committee, and the personal experience of Rana with this topic since 1994. I am particularly glad about the way she has used to highlight the reasons (according to the people who lived it) and the associated factors such as society values, poverty, illiteracy...etc. I was also glad that she has emphasized that Islam is not be blamed about honor killing, which I did not see in my previous readings. I will recommend this book to my friends here.
Leonard, I find it a bit unbelievable that you would say that 99% of Americans believe that if a woman is raped that she has suffered a horrible crime. Sadly, it only takes a rape to reach the news, especially if it involves a famous man, to see that this isn't the case. As Ms. Husseini described, the media's depictions of high-profile rape allegations, like with Kobe Bryant, or Mike Tyson, center on the victim and her behavior, not her perpetrator and his crime. You have only to speak to any of the professionals who work in the sexual violence or intimate partner/domestic violence communities to see that this societal victim-blaming goes on every day. Even if you spoke to those who work to prosecute batterers, rapists, pedophiles, and other men who have assaulted, battered, abused, and killed women in their lives, and you will quickly see how society's assumption of the victim's guilt is stronger than society's desire to hold the perpetrator accountable. You might want to do a show on this very topic- and focus first on here in U.S. and the domestic nature of this worldwide epidemic of violence against women & girls, and then focus on the global nature of this terrible epidemic and the similar, unifying causes of both. I would really appreciate hearing your show tackle this topic, as I know you could do it justice in a way few other programs in media could.
Leonard, what was the name of the Turkish film you mentioned?
Thank you Rana for telling this story - there are so many more - It's hard to believe it happens
I am so glad this topic is being address from this "global" perspective. Earlier this year, an honour killing in my home country of Canada sparked a furour...but in truth, these kinds of killings take different forms in different cultures, including North America. As Ms. Huseinni states, three women die per day in the US from domestic violence. Why do we not talk about this more? I feel that we have stopped caring about women's issues, and hope we as a culture look at these "honour" killings with this admirable, broader view.
I'm curious if Ms. Husseini has received any threats for her work?
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.