One Book, One College panel opens discussion for students

Oppression of women in the modern society was a topic of discussion by the faculty and student panelists at One Book, One College.

A paraphrased quote from the book that began the discussion said “Over the ages, the view and treatments towards women have evolved, but some of the old ideologies have stayed. Developing countries and some modernized countries still have the old ideologies of women.”

The event was held in F5-201 from 12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m. The focus of this discussion was “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into an Opportunity for Women Worldwide” by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

Natalina Monteiro has been using the book for years for her political science classes. She wanted to debunk the assumptions that the authors had made through their book. Monterio was one of the panelists who spoke at the One Book, One College discussion.

“My inspirations to attending the panel is to continue to bring awareness and challenge the ideas on some of the things the author spoke of,” Monterio said.

Monterio disagrees with the ideologies both authors talk about Islam and female circumcision.Monterio mentions during the panel within the book Kristof makes it seem as if the females circumcision are related to Islam. Monterio said this process is older than the Pharaohs and many believe that Cleopatra was circumcised.

“I don’t see why he made Islam seem misogynistic, this is a form of control that is seen in various cultures for many years,” Monterio said.

Anisa Abeytia,  a graduate student who is completing general education credits currently at East Los Angeles College, was part of the panel. She talks about the stereotypes placed upon Muslims and Islam continue the insinuation of their own moral judgments.

“The author makes a statement regarding how Christianity was misogynistic but they have moved on. No one can make this type of comparison to Islam this is just showing a masked racism is being implied by Kristof and

WuDunn,” said Mendez.

LaQuita Jones, who is a sociology professor and panelist,  explains how in some countries they use obsidian glass to cut the girls’ clitoris, in order to prevent the young girls from growing a penis or even for pleasure. Apart from these ideologies, allowing women to get an education to improve their future and to contribute to the transformative thinking of society.

“The first things that need to be challenged are the cultural ideologies of the mindset that poverty indicates the practices you will be doing in the future and especially that the living conditions can improve,” said Jones.