Arab News - No PE for Women in School

I will probably end up dead - but I had to respond to this one.

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=49675&d=11&m=8&y=2004

Once again, those in Saudi Arabia who have been longing to see physical education (PE) introduced into girls' schools have received a blow. Physical education has been banned in the Kingdomn's girls' schools for the last 40 years and it seems there will be no change - at least according to the Ministry of Education statement in the local press......

I wish someone else would respond to this, too. Saudi women could use a little help here!

I told them that really ought to get with the plan. That they are so 15th Century! And that women really benefit in longterm health and welfare when they exercise. Kind of lame - I know. But I really hoped maybe someone would actually read it and not throw it directly into the trash.

To point out to them that their Mortal Christian Enemy St. Paul also agrees with the Subjugation of Women?

Maybe that would get them to reconsider. I suspect a straightforward protest letter from a Decadent American would only strengthen their resolve.

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And if so, what is Your Suggestion?

I don't believe in planning anything (or making lists.)

I just thought I'd write and tell them how I felt. I had to take PE all of school years (even in college) and I hated just about every minute of it - especially swimming and gymnastics. But I think it was probably pretty good for me in the long run.

Would be hard to play volley ball in a burqua wouldn't it? Would be hard to do just about anything in a burqua.

Can't help myself. I care about those women over there who are valued by the amount their dowries. I know that my little protest doesn't amount to much. But there might be someone over there that will read it and actually, maybe, think about it.

Burqas are worn in Afghanistan.

And how are women valued here? For their youth, weight, size of their breasts?

but I don't think their leaders (dictators, authority figures, whatever you want to call them) really care what we think. In fact, I think it's quite obvious they think we are only trying to spread the word of Satan.

Meanwhile, look at what we value in women here - youth, looks, breast size, willingness to look like a complete idiot on national tv. And even if most of us aren't what the media portrays us as, this is still what we show to the rest of the world. I'd say that the Muslim people would laugh at us if we suggested we have something better to offer women.

Not that I agree with them, but they are one extreme when it comes to women and we are another.

I'd be happy to if I thought it would help.

But, I imagine that the people In Charge of the No-PE policies are the equivalent of our Freepers. I further imagine that if a Freeper got was contacted by a well-meaning Middle Easterner about some objectionable behavior, perhaps getting completely drunk by 8 pm every Friday - the response would likely be for the Freeper to get completely drunk by 6 pm instead just to spite the Towel-Head (or whatever the derogatory term might be that they use). So, I'd be wasting my time plus making things worse if anything.

But, just thought I'd check if you had a well-thought out plan superior to anything I've come up with . . .

PE classes are cut due to budget shortfalls, along with band and choir programs, extra curricular activities...

Title IX under renewed attack...

that existed in Europe as well. My grandmother, who is 98 years old, said that after she emigrated to the United States from Germany , her family made her drop out of school in the sixth grade. Why? Her male relatives saw some girls participating in PE when they drove by the school in a horse and buggy. They were shocked, and withdrew her from school.

Not a lot of difference to me.

I know I'm not radical enough for some people. But there is a huge difference in the way American women are treated from the way women in a lot of other countries are treated.

Maybe I get laughed at because I'm not too much like Barbie. But I don't have to worry about being killed for having an opinion, or for saying something my husband or brother or father doesn't like.

I am very independent. I work. I take care of myself. The way I live may strike others as eccentric but I have never been stoned for it.

When I was young women still were not allowed to do very much. Get married, be a nurse or secretary or teacher. That was about it.

Maybe things are not perfect now - but they sure are a hell of a lot better.