DON’T Observe

I know this isn’t exactly political, but I HAVE to write about it.

Last week I saw Observe and Report with my boyfriend for his birthday. Neither of us was pleased with the overall quality of the movie, its rare moments of laughter, nor its racism, sexism, and homophobia running rampant throughout the whole script. Now, I may not study film at Cornell like he does, but I do know a thing or two about political correctness and when a line is crossed. Observe and Report really crossed that line.

Gross....

I could continue on and analyze quite possible every single line in this “film,” but instead I’ll concentrate on the oh-so controversial “date rape” scene. That’s right, you’re not going blind; I said date rape.

Seth Rogen’s character has sex with his desired female while she remains unconscious from her countless shots of tequila. He lays on top her, repeatedly having sex, while her head hangs to the side with her eyes shut.

It was this moment in the movie that sparked the loudest laughter from the rest of the audience, and the most uncomfortable feeling for me.

“You Say You Want a Revolution”

The Iranian women’s rights movement has been a long time coming and is finally a serious matter of consideration. Feminists and activists worldwide are all rallying behind the women of Iran to support and encourage their newfound liberal behavior.

The real question is how to address an always-touchy issue of women’s rights in the Middle Eastern culture when trying to create progress while respecting Iran’s strict cultural traditions at the same time. It makes for quite a sticky situation when cultural and legal restrictions are all in the same.

That being said, however, the Iranian government has been violating the basic human rights of their women for as far back as history allows us to go. It is not fair to these women to have to fight for education, marital, and sexual freedom.

It is clearly evident that education plays a significant role in the women of Iran filing for divorces and battling for custody of their own children in a country where this shunned. Iranian women of all social classes are using tools like universities, satellite television, and the Internet to gain more knowledge concerning their potential equality with men.