The Politics of Irrational Terror
Kismayu, Somalia: Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow was a 13-year old Somali girl. A few weeks ago, she was raped, and made the deadly mistake of reporting the crime. The Islamic court ruled that her report amounted to a confession of adultery, and ordered her executed. She was dragged in front of 1000 people and buried up to her neck. Then she was stoned by 50 rock throwers, until she mercifully died. Anyone who tried to intervene was fired upon, including an 8 year old boy who was shot dead.
Boulder, CO, USA, Hallowe’en 2008: 150 revelers ran through the streets of Boulder. The runners were naked, except for shoes on their feet and pumpkins over their heads. There’s no doubt: boobs bounced, dicks dangled, and fat flopped. 12 were arrested. And they may be forced to register as sex offenders. In this country, this is one of the worst stigma possible, as friends and neighbours assume you’re the most dangerous villain out there, and shield their kids from you.
We’re Not That Different …
While these are two very different stories, they both illustrate the irrationality of our terror around sex.
It’s easy to say that the Somali girl was in another culture, one which is so terrified sexuality that it will blame and kill a girl for being raped.
But our culture is irrationally petrified too, and we’re also guilty of letting our discomfort decide our laws, instead of dealing with the emotions themselves. With the pumpkin-runners, the only harm done is perhaps some discomfort on the part of the viewers. We’re talking about ridiculous punishments to retaliate for a little angst.
Couldn’t we deal with our own feelings and those of our culture, and have a rational justice system?
