shame by jasvinder kashengera

i've got 4 books here that i think you should read. My lecturer began to distribute the books but in the end, the one that she lent to me was a book titled SHAME.

SHAME. a very strong word that in some places in this world, the meaning of this word can cost us our own lives. DISHONOUR. HUMILIATION. MORTIFICATION. OBLOQUY. DISGRACE. the question is now, how can an action of survival can trigger such bad word?

first impression? well, none actually. i mean, i'm a certain author follower not a very diverse novel reader. so, when she gave me the book, i did not expect anything although she told the synopsis was about HONOUR KILLING, a very inhuman, cruel practice where some parts of Asia still practice it.

obviously, i am aware about how this honour killing should be considered a criminal offense because it really affects a woman's life. i know that there are women out there who are condemned for trying to prevent honour killinng in Asia but their works still need more attention from the world. plus, my lecturer stated a fact saying that men are more supportive towards this saving the suffering women act although we might think that the ones who perform such savage ritual are also unfortunately, males. however, after finding myself shocked yet astounded by the facts from the author who experienced the tight culture of honourable family, i realized that it wasn't just about injustice. it was about being a human too where we are supposed to accept and respect human rights.

the author was absolutely an admirable person. she has this very independent head-strong persona that not many women have nowadays. especially Asian women whose culture taught that we should obey and abide the family rules as well as the community's. she explained on how we are told to stop having education and instead focus on doing houseworks and marry early and produce babies for the family. my fierce feminine side absolutely disagrees this. i must say, that although my culture does not perform this kind of unwritten rule of how disgracing a family's name is extremely offensive that even a mother can turn away from a suffering daughter. that even a brother can molest the sisters as they please without getting punished. a belief that only males should be treated nicely, feted, served like a king. in my ego and pride, yes, i do believe in certain extent that females are the ones who are mostly responsible for the households affairs yet i also fiercely believe that WOMEN are EQUAL to MEN.

i believe God has created this world in a very balanced way yet we humans make the mistake of abusing the equality to fulfill our own benefits. my firm belief in equality of chances and rights in life as long as it does not affect other people's lives in a detrimental way. you might think that i am a feminist but what i believe is what i will hold to. human only want to believe what they think is right without considering their own common sense and logical state of life. i am struggling not to be judgemental yet i find myself popping these question like how can love become non-existent in a marriage when it is a large factor of maintaining a harmony life? i mean, i am not in any kind of relationships but i do believe, human have their respective rights on how they should portray their emotions. no one is restricted to keep the feelings to themselves. everyone has the right to live their own lives. why should we do something that cause us unhappiness only because we don't want the neighbours talking behind ur back or see people staring at you just because you send your daughter for education?? i mean, be logic, people. as long as you do not cause harm to other people's live no matter physically, emotionally or spiritually, i don't see on hwy we should be scared of other people.

i am reminding myself that yes, God created us as different. we have different physical traits, religion, races, nationalities yet in one simple word, we are EQUAL. why? WE ARE HUMANS. IMPERFECT ONES THAT have a large responsibilty to make this world a better place.

a better place to know how meaningful and precious the cost of our own lives.

i took the book, savouring the rich smell of the pages. a must habit before i start reading books. my mind began to dwindle in the first few words on the book.