March 29, 2013 - This is Nina, the patient of this storyline. I was really happy with how androgynous she looks, though there's a part of me that worries elements of this story will get me put on some kind of watchlist. Guess I'll just have to deal with that.
On a vaguely unrelated note a guy I went to middle school with wrote this interesting article examining the history of the debate over homosexuality in the Middle East. It proposes an interesting argument pertaining to how to approach such an issue without seeming insensitive to native cultures that are hostile to western influence, noting how anti-Semitic attitudes in the Soviet Union were reduced by allowing them to obstruct and delay more pressing political concerns by beginning all political meetings between the Soviet Union and the US by listing the names of Jews that had been refused the ability to emigrate. I don't know if such a policy could make a significant impact on improving conditions for homosexuals and/or women (as the article vaguely alludes to the mistreatment of women as well), but I certainly can't see it hurting.
Another interesting note about this idea is how such an idea could impact the abortion debate. Listing the names of women harmed by not having access to abortion services certainly would make a statement to those arguing against it. In turn, the so called "pro-life" movement couldn't really respond to this as terminated pregnancies generally aren't given names.
Though again, not speaking to pro-life protestors, especially if you're in Nina's situation, is generally a good idea. In broader terms the discussion is clearly going on in politics, so tactics demonstrating the difficulties others face may aid the conversation.
-D
On a vaguely unrelated note a guy I went to middle school with wrote this interesting article examining the history of the debate over homosexuality in the Middle East. It proposes an interesting argument pertaining to how to approach such an issue without seeming insensitive to native cultures that are hostile to western influence, noting how anti-Semitic attitudes in the Soviet Union were reduced by allowing them to obstruct and delay more pressing political concerns by beginning all political meetings between the Soviet Union and the US by listing the names of Jews that had been refused the ability to emigrate. I don't know if such a policy could make a significant impact on improving conditions for homosexuals and/or women (as the article vaguely alludes to the mistreatment of women as well), but I certainly can't see it hurting.
Another interesting note about this idea is how such an idea could impact the abortion debate. Listing the names of women harmed by not having access to abortion services certainly would make a statement to those arguing against it. In turn, the so called "pro-life" movement couldn't really respond to this as terminated pregnancies generally aren't given names.
Though again, not speaking to pro-life protestors, especially if you're in Nina's situation, is generally a good idea. In broader terms the discussion is clearly going on in politics, so tactics demonstrating the difficulties others face may aid the conversation.
-D
comments powered by Disqus
