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suffragette

(12,232 posts)
21. "Saudi girl an unlikely hero"
Sat Aug 4, 2012, 12:37 PM
Aug 2012

Good commentary piece here about Wodjan Shaherkani.

I'll excerpt a couple paragraphs, but the full piece is not long and well worth the read.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/olympics/2018844263_olympicsplaschke.html

"Hopefully this is the beginning of a new era," she said.

~~~

With some in her country calling her one of the "Prostitutes of the Olympics," with her country's television network refusing to broadcast the match, with her own neighbors perhaps whispering of her shame, Shaherkani became the first female athlete from Saudi Arabia to compete in an Olympic event.

~~~

Mojica, the 24th-ranked judo competitor in the world, circled Shaherkani for about a minute before finally deciding to put them both out of their misery. Mojica dived, grabbed, dumped Shaherkani on her back, and the match ended less than a minute and a half after it began.

"I did not feel pity for her," Mojica said later. "I felt a lot of respect."




It takes a lot of courage to be the first to step into the harsh spotlight in this way, knowing you'll face hate for it, knowing you haven't a chance to win (can't even practice in public in her country), knowing so many eyes are on you.


Recommendations

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she COULD take it off but chooses not to. not her father's fault at all. personal choice nt msongs Jul 2012 #1
It is 100% her father's fault -- she has no choice obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #2
personal choice Scout Jul 2012 #3
Personal choice is not a choice in a country LadyHawkAZ Aug 2012 #11
yup La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2012 #17
The petty crap that women are subjected to in life never ceases to amaze me. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #4
Yup obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #5
She's competing for a country that just wouldn't send women before this year. Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #6
completely agree La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2012 #18
As a retired judoka, there is risk to her wearing a hijab at this level of competition ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #7
Because she is the first Saudi woman allowed to compete obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #8
Did she have to qualify at any level ahead of time? ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #9
Generally, yes obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #10
I just can't imagine how she's going to keep that thing in place justiceischeap Aug 2012 #12
A good friend of mine does BJJ and Judo obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #13
If it's for safety reasons how can they justify a religious/cultural exemption? 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #14
I think "baby steps" is why they did it obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #15
UPDATE: With results spoiler obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #16
I imagine that as long as they discourage female athletes 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #19
Who cares if she gets hurt? She's just a worthless, insolent, disobedient female. Zorra Aug 2012 #20
"Saudi girl an unlikely hero" suffragette Aug 2012 #21
This quote literally brought tears to my eyes obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #22
mine, too suffragette Aug 2012 #23
I know obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #24
Yes, and I hope she inspires other girls to join her suffragette Aug 2012 #25
Her story really touched me for some reason obamanut2012 Aug 2012 #26
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