Imagine a world where people are constantly fighting for their rights and freedoms. Some are up against harsh governments, while others face societal norms that restrict their lives. Which of these battles do you think is tougher? Let’s explore this question through the story of a courageous woman.
Two years ago, my life took a significant turn. My five-year-old son, after his bedtime routine, asked me, “Mommy, are we bad people?” His question shocked me. Earlier that day, he came home from school with bruises on his face. He explained that two boys had hit him, saying, “We saw your mom on Facebook. You and your mom should be put in jail.”
I’ve always been open with my son about my achievements, but his innocent question was a wake-up call. It wasn’t just about me; it was about challenging societal norms. A woman had been jailed for driving in a country where women weren’t supposed to drive. My brother faced harassment and had to leave the country with his family. My father listened to sermons condemning women drivers.
I was targeted by defamation campaigns and false rumors spread in the media and social circles. The children who bullied my son were influenced by the adults around them. It was a punishment for daring to challenge societal rules.
In May 2011, I was frustrated with the harassment I faced trying to find a ride home, despite having a car and an international driver’s license. I discovered that there was no law banning women from driving; it was a custom enforced by rigid traditions. This realization sparked the idea of June 17, a day when we encouraged women to drive.
A brave woman named Najla Hariri drove and announced it, but we needed proof. So, I drove and posted a video on YouTube, which quickly went viral. Soon after, I received threats, and the Saudi authorities’ silence was unsettling.
On June 17, we were arrested for driving. I was unsure why I was jailed, as I faced no charges during interrogation. I knew I was innocent; I hadn’t broken any laws. Despite pressure from fellow prisoners, I kept my abaya, a traditional black cloak. Outside, the country was in turmoil, with some attacking me and others supporting me.
After nine days, I was released. On June 17, the streets were filled with police, but hundreds of brave Saudi women drove that day, and none were arrested. We broke the taboo.
An official study presented to the Shura Council claimed that countries where women drive have higher rates of issues like rape and drug abuse. We started a hashtag on Twitter mocking the study, which gained international attention. We realized that mocking our oppressors was empowering; it stripped them of their strongest weapon: fear.
This system is rooted in ultra-conservative traditions that view women as inferior and in need of guardianship. It becomes worse when these beliefs are enshrined in religious interpretations and codified as laws.
For me, it wasn’t just about the attacks I faced; it was about living two different perceptions of my identity: the villain in my home country and the hero outside. I was invited to speak at a freedom forum, surrounded by love and support, while back home, I was labeled a traitor for my speech.
Saudi Arabia is taking small steps toward enhancing women’s rights. The Shura Council, appointed by the king, now includes women, and there have been discussions about lifting the ban on women driving.
It’s not just about the system; it’s also about women taking action to drive their own lives. I am proud to be among those women who lived to challenge the ban and celebrate everyone’s freedoms.
So, the question I started with—who do you think faces a more difficult battle: oppressive governments or oppressive societies? I hope you find clues to answer that from my story. Thank you, everyone.
Engage in a role-playing debate where you take on the roles of different stakeholders in the story of Manal al-Sharif. Consider perspectives such as Manal herself, a government official, a conservative community member, and an international human rights advocate. Discuss the challenges and motivations of each character, and debate the question: “Which is tougher to overcome, oppressive governments or societal norms?”
Conduct research on the current status of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and other countries with similar cultural contexts. Prepare a presentation that highlights the progress made and the challenges that remain. Focus on the impact of individual actions like those of Manal al-Sharif and how they contribute to societal change.
Write a short story or a personal essay from the perspective of a Saudi woman who experienced the lifting of the driving ban. Reflect on the emotions, challenges, and triumphs she might have faced. Use this exercise to explore the personal impact of societal change and the power of individual courage.
Create a mock social media campaign that aims to raise awareness about women’s rights and the importance of challenging oppressive norms. Design posts, hashtags, and strategies that could have been used during the time of Manal al-Sharif’s activism. Discuss the role of social media in modern activism and its potential to drive change.
Organize a panel discussion with classmates where you explore the theme of “Courage in the Face of Oppression.” Invite guest speakers or use video interviews of activists like Manal al-Sharif. Discuss the psychological and social factors that empower individuals to stand up against oppressive systems and the impact of their actions on society.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any sensitive or inappropriate content while maintaining the essence of the message:
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[Music]
Allow me to start this talk with a question for everyone. All over the world, people fight for their freedom and rights. Some battle oppressive governments, while others battle oppressive societies. Which battle do you think is harder? Let me try to answer this question in the coming minutes.
Let me take you back two years ago in my life. It was a significant time for my son, who was five at the time. After finishing his bedtime ritual, he looked at me and asked, “Mommy, are we bad people?” I was shocked. Why would he say such a thing? Earlier that day, I noticed some bruises on his face when he came from school. He finally told me that two boys hit him and said, “We saw your mom on Facebook. You and your mom should be put in jail.”
I’ve never been afraid to tell my son anything. I’ve always been proud of my achievements, but those questioning eyes of my son were my moment of truth. It all came together. You see, a woman had been jailed for driving a car in a country where women are not supposed to drive. My own brother was detained twice and harassed to the point that he had to leave the country with his wife and young son. My father had to sit through a sermon where the imam condemned women drivers.
I faced organized defamation campaigns in the local media, combined with false rumors shared in family gatherings and schools. It hit me that those kids were not meant to be rude to my son; they were influenced by the adults around them. It wasn’t about me; it was a punishment for daring to challenge societal rules.
My story goes beyond this moment of truth. In May 2011, I was complaining to a colleague about the harassment I faced trying to find a ride home, even though I had a car and an international driver’s license. I learned that there was no law banning women from driving; it was just a custom enforced by rigid traditions. This realization ignited the idea of June 17, where we encouraged women to take the wheel and drive.
A courageous woman named Najla Hariri drove a car and announced it, but we needed proof. So, I drove and posted a video on YouTube, which surprisingly got hundreds of thousands of views on the first day. What happened next? I started receiving threats. The Saudi authorities remained quiet, which was unsettling.
On June 17, we were arrested for driving. I was unsure why I was sent to jail, as I faced no charges during interrogation. I was certain of my innocence; I hadn’t broken any laws. I kept my abaya, a black cloak we wear in Saudi Arabia, despite pressure from fellow prisoners to take it off. Outside the jail, the country went into a frenzy, with some attacking me and others supporting me.
I was released after nine days. On June 17, the streets were filled with police, but hundreds of brave Saudi women drove that day, and none were arrested. We broke the taboo.
There was an official study presented to the Shura Council, claiming that countries where women drive have higher rates of issues like rape and drug abuse. We started a hashtag on Twitter mocking the study, which made headlines worldwide. We realized it was empowering to mock our oppressors; it stripped them of their strongest weapon: fear.
This system is based on ultra-conservative traditions that view women as inferior and in need of guardianship. It becomes worse when these beliefs are enshrined in religious interpretations and codified as laws.
For me, it wasn’t just about the attacks I faced; it was about living two different perceptions of my identity: the villain in my home country and the hero outside. I was invited to speak at a freedom forum, surrounded by love and support, while back home, I was labeled a traitor for my speech.
Saudi Arabia is taking small steps toward enhancing women’s rights. The Shura Council, appointed by the king, now includes women, and there have been discussions about lifting the ban on women driving.
It’s not just about the system; it’s also about women taking action to drive their own lives. I am proud to be among those women who lived to challenge the ban and celebrate everyone’s freedoms.
So, the question I started with—who do you think faces a more difficult battle: oppressive governments or oppressive societies? I hope you find clues to answer that from my speech. Thank you, everyone.
[Music]
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This version maintains the core message while ensuring the content is appropriate for all audiences.
Rights – Legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people. – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.
Freedoms – The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. – In democratic societies, freedoms such as speech and assembly are protected by law.
Societal – Relating to society or social relations. – Societal changes often occur when there is a shift in cultural norms and values.
Norms – Standards or patterns of social behavior that are typical or expected within a society or group. – Social norms dictate the acceptable ways of behaving in different cultural contexts.
Harassment – Aggressive pressure or intimidation, often in a social or workplace setting. – Universities have policies in place to prevent harassment and ensure a safe environment for all students.
Traditions – Customs or beliefs passed down from generation to generation within a society or group. – Many families maintain traditions that reflect their cultural heritage and history.
Oppression – Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control over a group of people. – Historical studies often examine the mechanisms of oppression used by colonial powers.
Identity – The qualities, beliefs, personality, looks, and expressions that make a person or group. – Identity formation is a key area of study in developmental psychology, focusing on how individuals perceive themselves within society.
Progress – Forward or onward movement towards a destination, often related to social or technological advancement. – Social progress can be measured by improvements in equality, education, and healthcare access.
Empowerment – The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights. – Educational programs aimed at empowerment can help marginalized communities gain access to resources and opportunities.
