Status Quo by Noor Alaweyat

Many women living in the Middle Eastern or Khaleeji region are taught to be good. We are trained to believe that we must be good people because other wise our actions “will not be nice” because well, people won’t think we’re nice. But what of it if people don’t think we’re nice? What’s the problem there? Must our heart and health be jeopardized because of a four-letter word that has haunted us throughout our lives since birth?

“Don’t cry it’s annoying!” Which of course is not “nice”

“Don’t raise your voice!” Which of course is not “nice”

“Don’t voice your opinion; just go with the status flow or else you’ll upset others.” Which of course is not “nice”

But, when we get hurt because we did just that, because we went with the status flow, because we didn’t voice or opinions, what’s the remedy for us? If we’re always caring about other people’s emotions and making them happy by following these directives, does that mean people will forget about our emotions and what makes us happy?

I was fortunate enough to have traveled to many places in the world and meet many people including both men and women. I’ve never noticed that the women in America or England have this problem as much as the native ladies who were born and bred in the Middle Eastern area of the world. So, my question goes to why? Why are many of us taught to speak with our head looking down at the ground at a song like tone of voice. So much so that when we do raise our voice or go against the status quo and voice a belief of ours, we are deemed to be a “bitch” if not any word that is worse and furthermore not only inappropriate but also factually false.

Why can’t I raise my voice as a woman and be taken seriously for my diverse opinions?