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April 08, 2005
A Book, a Song, and Two Blogs
For the past few days I've been reading a fascinating book, Generation Kill, by Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright. About the Iraqui war, this book stands out from so many others because of the writer's ability to understand and bond with the soldiers he's with. Wright was embedded with the Marines of First Recon, an elite unit who were the tip of the spear of the American push into Baghdad. The book is filled with powerful scenes of every day Marine life: the crushing boredom punctuated by sudden bursts of unimaginable violence, the stupidity of some commanding officers, the "everyday heroism" of a bunch of foul mouthed 19-year- old kids from America.
One of the aspects of life in Arab countries that is rarely if ever commented on by the mainstream media is the prevalence of homosexuality. It is not politically correct to point out that in Afghanistan it's all too common for tribal war lords to fight bloody battles over possession of some poor twelve-year-old-boy. When I lived in Israel, I often witnessed and commented on the obviously sexual relationships I was seeing between Arab men and young boys. My Israeli friends would laugh and just nod their heads for it was common knowledge that Arab men live lives so segragated from women that homosexuality is considered an acceptable release. But of course Arab societies make believe that it's just "healthy affection." Perfectly understandable, I suppose, when you consider that the Imams will and do have homosexuals publicly beheaded. Generation Kill is the only book honest enough to make reference to this hidden side of Arab life. Here's a short excerpt about the staus of women in Iraq and a description of some really smooth Iraqui hustlers:
...the most striking feature of the neighborhood is the hard labor performed by women. Covered in black robes, they squat beneath the sun in the empty-lot gardens, harvesting crops with knives, while children crawl at their feet. Others trudge past carrying sacks of grain on their heads. The division of labor exists even among children. Small boys run around playing soccer while little girls haul water. "Damn, the women are like mules here," Peterson abserves. "If we'd have fought these women instead of the men," another Marine comments, "we might have got our asses kicked."The other culture shock for the Marines is that several [Arab] men seem to be hitting on them. One asks Garza to lift up his glasses. When he does, the man leans forward and says, "You have pretty eyes."
Another of them asks a Marine if he likes boys or girls. When the Marine says, "Girls," the man makes a face and says, "Girls, bah!" Then he points to a young man standing nearby, makes an obscene gesture with his fingers and says, "You go with my friend, you like."
Generation Kill is a fine book and if you want to get a feel for the chaos of war, this book does a superb job.
I'm listening to a beautiful CD by a group called Buried Beds. Is it a law that rock groups have to give themselves really stupid names? In any case, their music is melodic and lovely and their song "Camelia" is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard. The lead singer is a woman, so if your hashkafah precludes you from listening to a woman's voice, well, it's back to The Miami Boy's Choir for you. By the way, I like TMBC, but every once in a while I really need a break from all the oy-yoy-yoy.
I'd like to recommend two particularly powerful blogs, both by fiercely intelligent (is there any other kind?) Jewish women. On The Face is by Lisa, a Canadian living Israel. Her multi-part series, How Lisa Came to Israel should not be missed. It is a small masterpiece.
Nice Jewish Girl writes a poignant blog about the search for love and marriage, about the price paid for being shomer negiyah, about faith and doubt and crushing loneliness. If this blog does not bring tears to your eyes, well, there just might be something missing at your very core.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at April 8, 2005 12:20 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
I just came across your blog via Nice Jewish Girl. You are a talented writer, but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that.
I have two sons, and I can't even begin to imagine your pain. May G-d continue to be with you.
AS for your post, that the homosexuality is hushed up I might understand, but where is the outrage over the pedophilia!
Posted by: ClooJew at April 10, 2005 10:27 AM