I am not allowed to even run in the parks, yell at my brother, or laugh with my gal pals. The point is, a classy beautiful young maiden like me and other girls can't do their necessary shopping without their male guardians, or win their bets, swim or run. Sometimes I feel so frustrated and suffocated with these limitations (pauses sadly for a moment) …like a bird whose wings are slowly being chopped off. As I stated before, adding to the pile of these injustices, women in Saudi Arabia cannot drive. But recently, there was a glimmer of hope, the government stated that—
Chinhua
I would always be surrounded by boys! Do you know what it's like to be one of only 15 female students in a graduating class of 300 at my high school? I got lucky and I had 3 girls in the class of 45. But they like me were always surrounded by boys. In other countries diamond or other certain metals are rare. But ladies in our unique and beautiful China? Girls have become rare— which is why I am more expensive and rare then a diamond. Funny...diamonds and metal do not have feelings. (pauses a second) No, I am not arrogant. Do you have any idea how lonely it got when I was back from school and later college. I never got to play with dolls with girlfriends. Oh, you wonder why? It’s because I never had one. At least not in the town where me and my parents lived. It was so bad that spring…
Adna
Being the source that makes his head hang and his pride crumble. My father that raised me, fed me, gave me a safe place to sleep, provided my daily needs to the best of his abilities, I am a source of shame for such a noble father. I hate myself. What is honor? (Pauses to tell a story)
I saw an American missionary the other day. He was wearing a “What Would Jesus Do” bracelet. What would Jesus do? What would he think of our concept of honor? I remember the story in the bible where he came upon a village where men were about to stone a woman. It is said that Jesus wrote in the sand. Legend has it that he was writing the sins of all those men accusing the woman. Then he told them that the first man who had done nothing wrong in their life could throw the first stone. All of them dropped them and went their way. I wonder sometimes if my dad would drop his stone of honor if Jesus told him to? Would the society stop throwing their stones of shame? It is amazing thing to me that such stories always seem to involve a woman.
For a woman to voice that she was wronged by those who she has trusted--what is honor? It’s a shackle around my throat that forbids me to raise my voice, my freedom, my choice. It stops me from telling people--my own family--the fact that-- (Light off)
Zia
--Maybe I am not that good at singing. Maybe everyone is right. And if I don't obey my father, Pitta, I will burn in hell...or so they say. Maybe I am not that talented as Pitta puts it and I should just stop. What are the chances that even If I become a musician, that I will be successful one? How will I provide for myself? He claims that there is no future in music, but there is the possibility of success if I become a doctor. But why do I feel suffocated when I don't sing? Why do I hear and see music in everything? ? Should I pick this route when I don't even know where it leads? Should I trust myself or my parents? Do I believe what my gut is saying or what my parents want me to do? What should I do?
Come Spring (cont.)