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V.I.P.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 4,500
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Dance etc.
Dear Khanjar,
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Originally Posted by khanjar
Perhaps then it is to analyse what are the problems as it is seen in Egypt, what exactly is the problem.
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I had such a conversation with a Egyptian doctor of very high social standing when I was in Egypt. He sees the problems of Egypt the result of extremes in social, financial, political standing of the citizens of the country. In other words, the negation of a strong middle class is what he sees as the root of most of Egypt's problems. The other thing to think about is that most people, would not consider their outlook on belly dance to be a "problem" as such.
Most people, either in or out of countries of origin, probably do not give belly dancers a second thought. It is only we belly dancers who think we are so important as to care about it that much.
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If it is religion, I can see the problems there, but a compromise can be had, most people will go for compromise despite what the hard liners say.
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HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Most religious groups are not known for their wonderful abilities to compromise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As far as the average person goes, I think no matter what the religion, people tend to "compromise in their own favor more than thinking to make an egalitarian compromise.
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I see part of our purpose in the developed west is to listen to what other parts of the world are saying and there we have a choice, we can show them we are listening and trying despite our differences to accommodate, or we can go our own way and leave them to it. Personally I seek the former as I see the latter as negative and not the way forward for a world so far developed in other areas.
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Is there any reason why you think westerners should be less ethnocentric than anyone else? As a whole the world is ethnocentric and pretty much feels their way is the best way, and this can be seen in action every time a country gets any power. They immediately go out and try to make some other country submissive. There are some few individuals who are able, under some circumstances, to step out of their own way of life and really LOOK and FEEL for the other guy. As a dancer and as a person, I think I have some real feeling for certain cultures within the Middle East, especially for Egyptian and Saudi/Gulf culture. However, this is one example of my own ethnocentricity even as a person who is empathic for those from those cultures. While in downtown Cairo, I bought some ice cream made of water buffalo milk. It was a little too sweet for my taste so I wanted to throw it away. Now, let us keep in mind that Cairo's non-tourist areas are very full of litter and garbage, but could I just throw that cup of ice cream on the ground along with all the other litter that was there? NO, I COULD NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I actually felt a moment of panic trying to decide what to do with it, because, being a well trained American means that we do not litter, no matter what! I finally put it down on top of a green box that was outside one of the stores. It was snatched up and enjoyed by a beggar kid, so all was well that ended well. Then HE could throw the cup on the ground and I was absolved of all ethnocentric responsibility.
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As to the information revolution, the Global Village, we can now with ease talk with anyone in any part of the world so equipped with communication technology, I would like to see that socially as well, a world despite our different cultures, we can get on and differences, we can arrive at a compromise or at least make continued efforts towards it in the form of understanding.
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Information technology is a luxury, not a necessity and you would be amazed at how many people do not have it.....If you can;t feed your family, chances of having a computer or knowing how to use it are pretty slim.
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Despite western superiority mentality, I am no better nor worse than anyone else of any other nationality, my country's history of conquest and colonialism has taught me that, as it is not nice for past reputations to proceed a person.
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True, but the fact is that reputations do go before us, just as reputation go before the people of the Middle East. Just ask anyone who has been accused of being a terrorist just because they are from Iraq. It is a two way street.
Regards,
A'isha |