For this week’s blog posting, I was asked to explore a country beginning with the first letter of my name (first or last) via the website Global Voices Online. I chose Saudi Arabia.
It was fascinating to get a peek into a world that I do not know much about. I stumbled upon topics that were both controversial and mundane – yet, each and every blog played an important role in shaping the humanity of people I’ve never met, living in a far off country I’ve never traveled to, and living under rules, laws, and religious regulations I’ve never been exposed to.
Through this website, I was able to come across a personal blog by a student from Hijaz, Saudi Arabia studying in the U.S. This blogger writes passionate articles on issues, events, and news of racism, internet censorship by Saudi officials, and even an extremist riot that bombards the opening of a theatrical performance. This student also posts video whenever possible, although many have been taken down. I found a clip about a Saudi Arabian female author on the subjects of Women, Sex, and Taboos particularly interesting and insightful to the mindset of a large portion of this country. Here it is:
Additionally, I sampled articles directly from the Global Voices Online website. I learned that there are no movie theaters in Saudi Arabia, and one person from the country is advocating for them. Another person from Saudi Arabia blogs about his experiences at his new job, and how he was accidentally locked in his office overnight. Pretty amusing. Not so amusing is that a Turkish barber is under arrest and could possibly be beheaded “for using God’s name in vain” while in Saudi Arabia.
It is a truly eye opening experience to be able to read these translated blogs, or portions of blogs, from non-professional writers that are experiencing this stuff first-hand.
