Half the Sky

Over the break, one of my professors told me to pick-up the book titled "Half the Sky: turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide".

I started reading this book right before going to bed. However, after countless dreams of being tortured and raped, I decided maybe that wasn't the best idea. This book has opened up my eyes to what harrowing lives women in different countries deal with on a day-to-day basis. These women are extraordinary in the way they defy their cultures limitations.

I will warn women though that it is not an easy read and it leaves you frustrated, pissed and left with the thought of what YOU can really do to make a difference. For women who have been forced into a uncompromising situation against their will, it's hard to read the multiple stories of the rape victims. It amazes me that men for centuries have used the form of rape as a weapon of war. The women are left feeling as though they did something to bring it on, which often makes them kill themselves. It disgusts me and leaves me wanting to jump on a plane headed for battle to protect these women of the world.

The other day I brought up this book with some of my girlfriends. The conversation went into an interesting turn after they themselves (who I know have never been put in an uncompromising situation) told me that they always imaged what they would do if raped. I thought to myself that it's interesting that even in the US women in the back of their minds often imagine over and over what they would do. Most of my girlfriends decided that they would fight and kick some guys ass...which I loved! I myself always imagined that I would kick the guys ass if I ever was in that kind of situation and yet it all changes once you're in the situation.

The women in the book talk about how if they didn't have someone telling them that they weren't ruined they would have killed themselves. Yet, the people in their life (mostly amazing men) gave them hope, which gratefully lit a fire of anger and passion inside of them to make a stand. These women are my heroes. These women have death threats every day and night, their own government wants their heads for taking a stand and yet with all of these threats they stand up and are telling the government and their own cultures to "Go fuck themselves". I freaking love it!

After reading this book it makes me want to definitely continue on with my education, so that I can travel to Africa, India, the Middle East and help women take control of their bodies and their lives. I have no clue in what form this will take or when it will happen, however one of these days I will be able to make an impact with my own two hands and that is going to be amazing.

I think everyone men and women should read this book. We need to get out of ourselves and think of what small and simple impacts we can do to make a world a better place for everyone.