What does communists and men with "do2won taweela" have in common?!
At first you'd think this question is some kind of a joke because they'll never have anything in common..what would it possibly be?! Well its not a joke..the answer is a deeply distorted image over the years.
" Dah sheyo3y"!!! These words would make any parents worried, your friends skeptic and have the power to alienate almost anyone.
This is not a recent phenomenon. Since the 60s in the western world and the 80s in Egypt if the word spread that you are a communist or someone in your family is or even someone who passed you in the street..prepare yourself for the consequences.
In the 60s in the United States of America _the so called leader of the free world_ you would loose your job, you have a god chance of losing your wife, your church, the community you live in would desert you and most probably you would be thrown in jail. Being a communist which is simply adopting a political belief became a crime back then..and this is no exaggeration.
I must admit that now it's not that extreme but the distorted image still lives. People can't get over the fact that one day being a communist was a crime.
The western media over the years portrayed communists as big haired people who smell and are uncivilized. And the image got stuck creating a stereotype.
In the Muslim world communists are seen as non-believers who would corrupt the minds of young men by their ideas and so called ideology.
On the other hands we would find that fighting Islamic fundamentalism in the Arab region through the media has created another stereotype. Women in "nekab" and men with "do2won tawela" are porteyed as fanatics or even as terrorists in the Arab media.
Series that we all watched and loved like "el 3a2ela" and movies like "el erhaby" enhanced that image to an extent. Not to forget the terrorist attacks that were carried out by people who may look like your neighbor or one of your brother's friends made us believe that this is how a terrorist would look like. Adding to all of that the western media who made sure we have this image imprinted in our heads. And the result is whenever we pass by someone with "da2n taweela" in the street or a girl in "nekab" its either we are skeptic, scared or we may crack a joke!
This is not about my own political beliefs or religious views. This is to take note of the fact that two opposite thoughts or beliefs are being persecuted worldwide and my rejection to that. We allow the media to create stereotypes and we believe them without processing, automatically acting upon them and making judgments.
No one deserves being judged whether it's because of what he wears or what he believes in..This is my own humble opinion anyway.
There is discrimination on basis of gender/race/sexual orientation and now ideas and of course the way you are
dressed! We are seeking the abolition of discrimination on any basis, instead we are adding to them! I personally believe we should think twice before using the word "communism" as a swear word or crack a joke about someone's dress code.
At first you'd think this question is some kind of a joke because they'll never have anything in common..what would it possibly be?! Well its not a joke..the answer is a deeply distorted image over the years.
" Dah sheyo3y"!!! These words would make any parents worried, your friends skeptic and have the power to alienate almost anyone.
This is not a recent phenomenon. Since the 60s in the western world and the 80s in Egypt if the word spread that you are a communist or someone in your family is or even someone who passed you in the street..prepare yourself for the consequences.
In the 60s in the United States of America _the so called leader of the free world_ you would loose your job, you have a god chance of losing your wife, your church, the community you live in would desert you and most probably you would be thrown in jail. Being a communist which is simply adopting a political belief became a crime back then..and this is no exaggeration.
I must admit that now it's not that extreme but the distorted image still lives. People can't get over the fact that one day being a communist was a crime.
The western media over the years portrayed communists as big haired people who smell and are uncivilized. And the image got stuck creating a stereotype.
In the Muslim world communists are seen as non-believers who would corrupt the minds of young men by their ideas and so called ideology.
On the other hands we would find that fighting Islamic fundamentalism in the Arab region through the media has created another stereotype. Women in "nekab" and men with "do2won tawela" are porteyed as fanatics or even as terrorists in the Arab media.
Series that we all watched and loved like "el 3a2ela" and movies like "el erhaby" enhanced that image to an extent. Not to forget the terrorist attacks that were carried out by people who may look like your neighbor or one of your brother's friends made us believe that this is how a terrorist would look like. Adding to all of that the western media who made sure we have this image imprinted in our heads. And the result is whenever we pass by someone with "da2n taweela" in the street or a girl in "nekab" its either we are skeptic, scared or we may crack a joke!
This is not about my own political beliefs or religious views. This is to take note of the fact that two opposite thoughts or beliefs are being persecuted worldwide and my rejection to that. We allow the media to create stereotypes and we believe them without processing, automatically acting upon them and making judgments.
No one deserves being judged whether it's because of what he wears or what he believes in..This is my own humble opinion anyway.
There is discrimination on basis of gender/race/sexual orientation and now ideas and of course the way you are
dressed! We are seeking the abolition of discrimination on any basis, instead we are adding to them! I personally believe we should think twice before using the word "communism" as a swear word or crack a joke about someone's dress code.
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