Qandeel Baloch, Pakistani social media star, and 'honor killings'

[soleiltropiques]

OP: I wanted to post an article about Qandeel Baloch herself, since readers may not be familiar with her.
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Qandeel Baloch: How her murder reflects a divided country

Comments

[soleiltropiques]

"I would like to point out that the woman who wrote the article is a Pakistani journalist and as such I think it is important that she is allowed to describe her experiences as she sees fit. Additionally, as a South Asian (American), I find that the last paragraph is a perfectly appropriate way to describe certain aspects of modern South Asian society."

Actually, now that you point it out, this was really my (stupid, go figure!!) error. For some reason I didn't notice that this was from BBC Urdu and written by a Pakistani author. :) So I take your point, I really misread that initial article for some reason. :) So I was actually (mistakenly, of course) thinking this was someone British who had made such a statement.

The point I was trying to make with regards to racism however, pertains to the prevailing 'western' view on honor killings. I think the Shafia case I mentioned is a good example of this, in that it really led to some Canadians (i.e. like Crown prosecutor Gerard Laarhuis, mentioned above) touting the wonderfulness of 'Canadian' values (read: in opposition to the culture of the perpetrators of the crime).

It was however in no way my intention to deny the importance of different culture and history, however, and I'm sorry if that didn't come across. This is actually something discussed in some detail in the links I provided above -i.e. that violence against women manifests in ways that are shaped by culture, history, etc.

[natyanayaki]

"It was however in no way my intention to deny the importance of different culture and history, however, and I'm sorry if that didn't come across. This is actually something discussed in some detail in the links I provided above -i.e. that violence against women manifests in ways that are shaped by culture, history, etc."

Oh I understand, I guess my rant wasn't directed at you necessarily, just the attitude that has taken hold of these discussions -- at least online.

Also, I have gotten to know you/your posting style enough that I assumed you didn't realize the Journalist is Pakistani so it's all good. I just thought that I should point that out. :)

[soleiltropiques]

"Oh I understand, I guess my rant wasn't directed at you necessarily, just the attitude that has taken hold of these discussions -- at least online.

Also, I have gotten to know you/your posting style enough that I assumed you didn't realize the Journalist is Pakistani so it's all good. I just thought that I should point that out. :)"

Well thanks for the compliment! :)

I really should have checked, so thanks a bunch for correcting me! And now that I look over my initial correction, I think I should have mentioned that it is a very different thing for a British person of Pakistani origin to criticize, than for a white British person to do so.

Ugh. I'm an idiot. :)

A question: what has been the attitude/tenor of discussions regarding this issue online, if you don't mind my asking? I'm genuinely curious.

[natyanayaki]

You're not an idiot, I mean you have some of the most interesting and informative posts. (How LONG does it take you to compile them, you do so much work, and me? I still can't even get embedding media into LJ properly haha).

I think it depends on certain circles, but I really hate that among certain places (like tumblr) identity has become a credential. I'm not saying that and individual's experiences don't matter, but sometimes identity is used to shut down conversations and that makes me uncomfortable. I don't feel that I should have to have a disclaimer identifying myself as South Asian/South Indian American every time I discuss something, and I don't feel that a friend of mine who is white who has spent lots of time living in Southern India shouldn't be allowed to speak about south Indian culture because someone whose family is Northern Indian can say "I'm Indian" (I mean Hindi-washing is a thing). And, I have met so many non-South Asian people who know way more about specific non-India South Asian countries, why should I be allowed to shut them down because of my identity?

I know why it's a thing that happens, racism is real, xenophobism is real and as such sensitivity is important (and I'm not going to lie, I'm going to be more critical for a British person (whose country colonized, oppressed, and almost enslaved South Asian countries for centuries) over an American person (whose country is partially -- even largely because South Asian disobedience didn't work before -- responsible for the British leaving the country, and people don't know this but many Americans were involved in the India/South Asian independence movement for centuries))...but I think while sensitivity is important it shouldn't shut down conversation as long as the other person is being or trying to be respectful. And...it's so hard online when you don't know the person, I'm less willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt if I know nothing about them, but if social media is going to be a platform of social change then I think the way many people in certain circles (particularly younger individuals like 25 and under) needs to change?

Sorry, I'm not very good at explaining myself; thus, the word vomit.

[soleiltropiques]

"I think it depends on certain circles, but I really hate that among certain places (like tumblr) identity has become a credential. (...) but I think while sensitivity is important it shouldn't shut down conversation as long as the other person is being or trying to be respectful. And...it's so hard online when you don't know the person, I'm less willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt if I know nothing about them, but if social media is going to be a platform of social change then I think the way many people in certain circles (particularly younger individuals like 25 and under) needs to change?

Sorry, I'm not very good at explaining myself; thus, the word vomit."

Actually this is a really thoughtful and interesting comment. Also honestly this was not something I had considered. You make very interesting points.

PS: I'll have to go read up on the US' role in India/South Asian independence because I really didn't know that. Very interesting. :)

"You're not an idiot, I mean you have some of the most interesting and informative posts. (How LONG does it take you to compile them, you do so much work, and me? I still can't even get embedding media into LJ properly haha)."

Thank you so much!

I guess over the years I've been taught to research and try to find good and reliable sources on things so it's become a bit second nature (I think it's also a result of my work: I'm a graduate student in epidemiology, and I have been involved in a LOT of systematic literature reviews over the years). And when I do these, I actually learn a lot myself so it's win-win, LOL.

PS: Honestly, I can't embed stuff either. :-D :-D

[natyanayaki]

wait wait...another public healther yay!!!!!!

[soleiltropiques]

Hey, you're in public health too...? Hey that's awesome! We should talk more... :)

[natyanayaki]

:)