Blog Assignment 1

I was reading a New York Times article about Safia Amajan, who had served as chief of the women's affairs department in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan for five years. She was assassinated by suspected Taliban gunmen as she was walking to work.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/26/world/asia/26afghan.html?
ex=1183089600&en=5275f8b8e4a5fc0b&ei=5070

When people who are being oppressed choose to stand up for what they believe, it becomes a threat to those who oppress. Why does one group feel the need to control another? Is it fear? In this case, the Taliban forces women to live a nearly subhuman existence, with no rights and controlled by the men in their families. If they become widowed, they're reduced to begging in the street to support their families, but if they go out on their own without a male family member they're beaten.

Why does the Taliban have this attitude toward women? Ms. Amajan was an advocate for women, working for women's rights, education and vocational training. When women are educated and empowered, they're harder to control, and if the Taliban can't control women, what is their purpose?

Ms. Amajan was well-liked and respected, but was obviously considered a threat. Her assassination has created an atmosphere of fear, which will make it less likely that other women will carry on her work. (212)

Blog Assignment 1

This is my first time writing a blog, so I'm looking forward to the experience...