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A review by ranarafeh
I Killed Scheherazade: Confessions of an Angry Arab Woman by Joumana Haddad
1.0
This book is problematic. Not analogous to how problematic a labneh sandwich on the lactose intolerant stomach may be, but Donald Trump not acknowledging climate change problematic. Yes that bad.
It is a manifesto of bullshit, attempting to set a prototype for the Arab woman that resembles none other than the groundbreaking, one of a kind, alpha female Joumana Haddad. She condemns a million and one different types of Arab women, claiming that they are standing in the face of feminism or feministic growth, let alone the demographic of women that she doesn’t acknowledge. So let us begin by her demolition of the different factions of Arab women.
1- the “oppressed veiled Muslim.” : Haddad states that the veil is stopping her from her sexual liberation (the only worthwhile liberation in Haddad’s opinion.) and that it must be fought and slain much like the “omnipotent dragon commonly known as god” must be fought. But does not stand in the face of the pious, religious, well informed woman that wears her veil as a testimony of her faith, not as a cry for help? Yes there is a demographic of women that are oppressed by this symbolic garment but generalization really defeats the purpose of modern day feminism.
2- the liberated, man- loathing Arab woman: Although spoken of less frequently, Haddad often condemns the man- hating Arab woman that finds empowerment in not shaving her pits or grooming herself. Stating that she lost her “femininity” in pursuit of equality. Is femininity not another construct binding women? In stating that women must be feminine, are you not socially restricting them and thus impeding this radical progress you claim to be a proponent of? I find it strange that a self proclaimed feminist is setting down the rubric of what an Arab woman should be.
Let us not forget that in getting lost in her sexual need for man, she estranges the homosexual Arab woman. On that note, what’s the deal with reducing female liberation to sexual liberation? Yes our libido is oppressed, but you know what’s far more oppressed? The intellectual capacity of more suburban women. Yes we should be sexually liberated and engage in pre-marital sex, but is it really the time to think of that when a vast percentage of women in suburban Arab regions aren’t getting an education that surpasses ninth grade?
Moreover, in her prose about oppression, she speaks of nothing but sheer emotional or personal exposure. She does not address the governmental laws that oppress women. Quite frankly, I think it’s because she can’t see beyond the slight mishaps that growing up in a privileged progressive Christian household entail (in context of Lebanese politics at the time- christian is an important detail).
I could go on for days, but I shan’t. This book is Joumana Haddad’s means of seeking applause. (She claims narcissism is healthy btw- really forward thinking in terms of mental health advocacy ik). It screams “look at me I’m not afraid to masturbate.” In the face of women who aren’t allowed to develop an interest beyond domestic duties. It’s so easy to speak from a place of privilege, no one chooses to be oppressed, and it is those that are robbed of choice to whom immediate attention must be given. I am disappointed to say the least
It is a manifesto of bullshit, attempting to set a prototype for the Arab woman that resembles none other than the groundbreaking, one of a kind, alpha female Joumana Haddad. She condemns a million and one different types of Arab women, claiming that they are standing in the face of feminism or feministic growth, let alone the demographic of women that she doesn’t acknowledge. So let us begin by her demolition of the different factions of Arab women.
1- the “oppressed veiled Muslim.” : Haddad states that the veil is stopping her from her sexual liberation (the only worthwhile liberation in Haddad’s opinion.) and that it must be fought and slain much like the “omnipotent dragon commonly known as god” must be fought. But does not stand in the face of the pious, religious, well informed woman that wears her veil as a testimony of her faith, not as a cry for help? Yes there is a demographic of women that are oppressed by this symbolic garment but generalization really defeats the purpose of modern day feminism.
2- the liberated, man- loathing Arab woman: Although spoken of less frequently, Haddad often condemns the man- hating Arab woman that finds empowerment in not shaving her pits or grooming herself. Stating that she lost her “femininity” in pursuit of equality. Is femininity not another construct binding women? In stating that women must be feminine, are you not socially restricting them and thus impeding this radical progress you claim to be a proponent of? I find it strange that a self proclaimed feminist is setting down the rubric of what an Arab woman should be.
Let us not forget that in getting lost in her sexual need for man, she estranges the homosexual Arab woman. On that note, what’s the deal with reducing female liberation to sexual liberation? Yes our libido is oppressed, but you know what’s far more oppressed? The intellectual capacity of more suburban women. Yes we should be sexually liberated and engage in pre-marital sex, but is it really the time to think of that when a vast percentage of women in suburban Arab regions aren’t getting an education that surpasses ninth grade?
Moreover, in her prose about oppression, she speaks of nothing but sheer emotional or personal exposure. She does not address the governmental laws that oppress women. Quite frankly, I think it’s because she can’t see beyond the slight mishaps that growing up in a privileged progressive Christian household entail (in context of Lebanese politics at the time- christian is an important detail).
I could go on for days, but I shan’t. This book is Joumana Haddad’s means of seeking applause. (She claims narcissism is healthy btw- really forward thinking in terms of mental health advocacy ik). It screams “look at me I’m not afraid to masturbate.” In the face of women who aren’t allowed to develop an interest beyond domestic duties. It’s so easy to speak from a place of privilege, no one chooses to be oppressed, and it is those that are robbed of choice to whom immediate attention must be given. I am disappointed to say the least