Reflection Paper of "The Muslim Woman"

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Jose Arroyo

Professor Werry

RWS 200 M& W 3:30-4:45

4 February 2015

Reaction Paper to “The Muslim Woman”

            In Lila Abu- Lughod’s online editorial, “ The Muslim Woman” she calls to attention the misconceptions the West has on the image of a woman with a veil on. She quickly rewrites the misconception and reveals how the veil is sometimes a geographical reason or purely a personal choice. She also states how even if Islam threw away the “submission” for women to wear a veil if they would really stop wearing the veil. The claim I just mentioned above draws interest from me because she is right. Many women will not simply throw off their veil and wear jeans. It has become a way of life for these women and especially since some areas enforce this type of submission they would still be required to wear the veil. Throughout her piece she is trying to aim her online editorial towards educated American people who have an interest toward the highly controversial topic of veiling. I drew this conclusion from the type of language she uses but also the place and location she published this piece. She is writing on an online editorial due to looking at the course reader and viewing the title of the publisher of her piece. The use of “we” in the first paragraph aligns herself with the general American public because she is creating a common ground between her reader and herself. Which in essence creates a link emotionally and makes the reader realize that despite the position of Abu-Lughod she is seeing the similar things “we” as common people see on a daily basis. Abu-Lughod’s use of “us” and “them” creates a divide between two people who have significant differences and do not meet eye to eye on things. As contrasted with Haydar she tries to show “us” how Muslim women who wear veils can become united with the American public despite the obvious clothing difference. There is not hostile tone associated with the diction choice of “us” and “them” with creates a more settling environment for the reader to become comfortable with reading the piece. Despite the similarities of differentiating cultural values of the West and the Middle East in both pieces, Haydar uses a more calm and simplistic tone to get her point across to her audience that despite the difference of values both cultures can flourish together if they take the time to understand one another. One major difference between Haydar and Abu-Loughos is that Abu-Loughod uses more complex language which is intended for a more educated audience as compared to Haydar’s piece which is more simplistic and intended for a general American public audience.