Muhammad Chapters 2 & 3 / Discussion in Class

Girls Got Game

  We discussed in class today the double-standard that exists in this world for women. Although I agree that this standard exists, I have always been a stronger girl, playing baseball, basketball, and then softball as a kid. I got to play with the guys at recess. I wasn't 'one of them,' but I wasn't like most other girls.
  I thought of it during class: one of my favorite movie quotes is discriminating towards women. It is:

"You play ball like a GIRL!!" -"Ham" from The Sandlot

  When Ham says this to a player on the rival team, the rest of the boys gasp as if it is the worst-possible insult. I always laugh when I think of this line. I think it is because I have always been proof against this stereotype. I have always been proud of my toughness - as I find most softball girls are, and we carry this pride that we are equals with guys- even that we could take them in fights sometimes. I think that more girls should have this pride and not just in athletic ability. When girls have a similar sort of pride, they can sometimes believe that girls are better than guys. However, I don't always find this is necessary. I find the equality to be a more accurate representation.

   I found it interesting to discuss the berka in Islam culture. I found it informative to know how it originated and how women are more likely to wear them in areas where patriarchal family structure is dominant. I also liked the discussion on how some women use the berka as a symbol of empowerment, modesty, or in pride if their culture. I wonder what other items in Islam can be used as symbols for a number of perspectives, sort of like a baseball.