“ . . . Because it’s no longer enough to be a decent person.” – JW
This week’s, “Why We Are Here” marks the anniversary of the post which changed my life. On May 20, 2007, Joss Whedon wrote his impassioned poignant plea on Whedonesque entitled “Let’s Watch a Girl Get Beaten to Death.”
“ . . . I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red.” – JW
For 30 minutes, Du’a Khalil Aswad was stoned to death by more than 20 men (while 2,000 or more looked on) some of them family and friends. Her own family lured her back, promising all was forgiven, all was well. Some participants threw rocks with one hand and captured it all on their cell phones with the other. Security forces stood by doing nothing – and she died in the name of “honor.”
Du’a’s crime? She loved a boy from another faith.
She didn’t consummate this love, in fact she died an innocent. No, Du’a merely defied tradition and stained her family’s name with dishonor, JUST BY LOVING THIS BOY. She became a victim of a real life, perverted twisting of the “Romeo and Juliet” story. AND SHE WAS INNOCENT. Yet, somehow she was branded EVIL and executed accordingly – and these people, these supposed human beings, believe they are justified and entitled to their sadistic actions.
“. . . If we were all told the sky was evil, or at best a little embarrassing, and we ought not look at it, wouldn’t that tradition eventually fall apart?” – JW
Many of us have had our parents disagree with the guy or gal we went and fell in love with. Being a parent, I’ve suffered from the same type of silent worry that these boys were not worthy of my amazing daughters, Beth and Marissa. Yet no matter what trials and tribulations they’ve gone through, I have never, EVER thought about dragging one of my daughters back home and stoning them to death. (boyfriends either)
How can anyone enjoy ripping into innocent flesh and causing so much pain to another human being? How can thousands of people stand by, including family and friends, and do nothing? Why do any of us allow fear and tradition to handcuff us to our couches, bleachers or benches and then look the other way? This same kind of thing is still happening to thousands of women and girls all over the world.
“ . . . All I ask is this: Do something. Try something. Speaking out, showing up, writing a letter, a check, a strongly worded e-mail. Pick a cause – there are few unworthy ones. And nudge yourself past the brink of tacit support to action. Once a month, once a year, or just once.” – JW
Du’a Khalil Aswad and the innumerable others who have suffered these unspeakable persecutions MUST be remembered and their stories passed on. This is the only way we can save others and bring about change. Du’a’s story stirred Joss; Joss inspires me. Now, I’m here hoping to in some small way inspire you all to do something, anything to keep it going – because every one of us CAN make a difference.
“. . . Those of you who have followed the link I set up know that it doesn’t bring you to a video of a murder. It brings you to a place of sanity, of people who have never stopped asking the question of what is wrong with this world and have set about trying to change the answer.” – Joss Whedon, “Let’s Watch a Girl Get Beaten to Death.”
I don’t dare you to watch this video. I urge you. Yes, it is graphic so prepare yourselves. Remember Du’a as a 17-year-old girl full of love, trust, hopes and dreams. Watch as they rip everything away from her, and let that anger and disbelief fuel you to helping us make a better tomorrow.
Some of Du’a’s story is here: The girl who was stoned to death for falling in love – Daily Mail
Spread the signal.
This is why I am here.
With Warm Regards,
Anne Barringer
P.S. For Joss’s entire poignant post: The Cause
