Perceiving Terror

This morning en route home from the 9 year old's school, I heard part of a NPR story about a Russian woman who tries against all odds (including the macho culture of eastern Europe that most people don't realize exists--i.e. cops not believing women who allege their husbands physically abused them) to advocate for women's rights in the former Soviet Union--or at least one corner of it (the story was about half over when I tuned in after kiddo left the car). One particularly heartbreaking story was of another Russian lady, a married woman with a young daughter, who took a job in Syria that effectively turned out to be white slavery and enforced prostitution, refused to participate, and was raped and beaten until she escaped to return to her family in Russia. The worst part was the total lack of support or legal aid she’s gotten from Russian police or Interpol (or anyone else, for that matter, except for that advocate's attempts to prosecute).

After hearing that tale of woe, I really felt a lot more grateful to live where I do--even though I frequently disagree with the actions of our elected officials, I have the right TO disagree with them without fear of being harassed about it. The last time I felt so terrified I was NOT in New York or Washington, but had friends and extended family in the vicinity of both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and was for once grateful not to be with them! And of course that wasn't targeting the fair sex like the victim in the NPR story experienced.

God bless America! Let's see if we can't spread some goodwill to our sisters around the globe.