Women from Middle East share stories of culture.
By: Kavahn Mansouri
-Editor-In-Chief-
On Friday, Feb. 15 the STLCC-Meramec Global Studies Program hosted the International Panel, where women from Iraq, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan shared their experiences in the Middle East.
Assistant Professor of Sociology Amanda White, Ph.D., helped set up the event, which was previously hosted in November. White said the International Women’s panel was so successful last year that the Global Studies Program decided to host it again.
“We did this event in November and it was so well received we wanted to do it again,” White said.
Asma Alamary was a new addition to the panel and represented Iraq. Alamary spoke about women’s right activism in Iraq and her experience as an activist.
Alamary said she was happy to speak at the panel, share her story and the difference in culture between the U.S. and Iraq.
“I was nervous,” Alamary said. “I was worried also. I didn’t want to be judged by my culture based on what I said at this panel. That was the only thing I was worried about.”
Associate Professor of Communications Denise Sperruzza said students can leave with a new perspective after events like these.
“I think the students had some things to say that were very insightful and that are going to benefit our students a lot by opening their minds and creating awareness about different cultures,” Sperruzza said.
White said the panel served as an opportunity to expand students’ minds for those who have not experienced culture outside the U.S..
“Many of our students may not leave Missouri; they may travel to another state and see how culture is different there, but not necessarily leaving the country,” White said. “I think it helps students to realize that cultures are different across the world.”
White said the panel brings the culture of Middle Eastern nations to students’ doorsteps.
“Instead of making them travel to see it, it brings it to them. So it lets them realize that the world can be a very different place from what we experience. I think that’s important for us to understand; that there are different beliefs and traditions that can be very different from ours,” White said.
Hearing the panel speak about their experiences can grant students a new perspective White said.
“For them to hear these stories make them more personal to students,” White said. “I think its much more personal to hear it from these students.”
