|
|
May 23, 2013
|
|
|
|
 Profiles in Courage: Women Journalists Speak OutPosted on Nov 8, 2007This year’s winners of the International Women’s Media Foundation‘s Courage in Journalism Awards are truly remarkable journalists who uphold the highest standards of the profession—and, as they reveal in their speeches, risk paying the highest price for their perseverance and dedication. Here, we have reprinted the acceptance speeches of three of this year’s honorees at the foundation’s recent awards dinner in Los Angeles: Iraqi reporter Sahar Issa (who represented all six women from McClatchy’s Baghdad bureau), Zimbabwean independent journalist Peta Thornycroft, and Mexican activist and writer Lydia Cacho. Their stories are as inspiring as they are heartbreaking. Editor’s note: A fourth IWMF honoree, Serkalem Fasil of Ethiopia, was unable to attend the awards event because of threats against her. Click here to read about her life and work. Sahar Issa: It is a great honor for me to stand here today. Advertisement To be a journalist in violence-ridden Iraq today, ladies and gentlemen, is not a matter lightly undertaken. Every path is strewn with danger, every checkpoint, every question a direct threat. Every interview we conduct may be our last. So much is happening in Iraq. So much that is questionable. So much that we, as journalists, try to fathom and portray to the people who care to know. In every society there is good and bad. Laws regulate the conduct of the society. My country is now lawless. Innocent blood is shed every day, seemingly without purpose. Hundreds of thousands have been killed for seemingly no reason. It is our responsibility as journalists to do our utmost to acquire the answers, to dig them up with our bare hands if we must. But that knowledge comes at a dear price, for since the war started four and a half years ago an average of about one reporter and media assistant killed every week is something we have to live with. We live double lives. None of our friends or relatives know what we do. My children must lie about my profession. They cannot under any circumstance boast of my accomplishments, and neither can I. Every morning, as I leave my home, I look back with a heavy heart, for I may not see it again—today may be the day that the eyes of an enemy will see me for what I am, a journalist, rather than the appropriately bewildered elderly lady who goes to look after ailing parents, across the river every day. Not for a moment can I let down my guard. I smile as I give my children hugs and send them off to school; it’s only after they turn their backs to me that my eyes fill to overflowing with the knowledge that they are just as much at risk as I am. So why continue? Why not put down my proverbial pen and sit back? It’s because I’m tired of being branded a terrorist: tired that a human life lost in my country is no loss at all in the eyes of the world. This is not the future I envision for my children. They are not terrorists, and their lives are not valueless. I have pledged my life—and much, much more—in an effort to open a window through which the good people in the international community may look in and see us for what we are, ordinary human beings with ordinary aspirations, and not what we have been portrayed to be. Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to reach out. Help us to build bridges of understanding and acceptance. Even though the war has cast a dark shadow upon your nation and mine, it is not too late. I thank my bureau chief and our editors for retaining a high standard of balance and credibility, and I thank you all for being here today. Good day. Peta Thornycroft: I work in a heartbroken country where women’s life expectancy is a shocking 34 years. Zimbabwe has withdrawn from the world. Its life, its energy and resilience is eaten away. Not for ideology, not because of so-called sanctions. Not because its sovereignty is under threat, as [Zimbabwean President] Robert Mugabe claims. The shops are empty, the people are foraging for food in a country abundantly endowed with agricultural jewels, deep red soil and rain. Zimbabwe holds the world’s record for inflation, nearly 8,000 percent. Where Robert Mugabe makes 100,000 percent profit on every U.S. dollar he exchanges on the black market, the only market. At the end of apartheid in South Africa, where I have mostly worked, we journalists were elated. When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission under Archbishop Desmond Tutu started investigations into the atrocities of apartheid, it began work in the libraries of South African newspapers. I can truly say that I have made no difference in Zimbabwe. Three weeks ago, I traveled hundreds of miles across the vast rural heartland of Mugabe’s strongholds. Mugabe’s loyalists are polite, subdued, dependent and obedient. No opposition party can operate there. I saw a new intake of Mr. Mugabe’s personal army, the youth militia, also known as “green bombers” for the color of their uniform and the violence they inflict on opposition supporters. The small trading stores out there are as empty as supermarkets in the cities. In July, Mugabe’s voodoo economics dictated that the price of retail goods be cut by 50 percent of production costs. He did this because Christopher Dell, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, predicted that Zimbabwe would collapse by year’s end. Mugabe’s generals—and Zimbabwe is ruled by the military—decided the private sector was [comprised of] saboteurs collaborating with the West for regime change. So he slashed prices and arrested thousands of businessmen and -women. There is no war in Zimbabwe except Mugabe’s war against his people. Zimbabweans tried to change the regime at the ballot box, but Mugabe and his junta were too strong, too cunning, and Africa chose to ignore him. For seven years the South African government, the country which gave the world Nelson Mandela, also stayed quiet and endorsed elections which were demonstrably violent and unfair. Zimbabwe, which had the highest literacy rate in the Third World, now graduates children who can barely read. We don’t know the size of the population, nor the numbers dying of treatable diseases and HIV/AIDS, nor how many thousands cross into South Africa daily to send food to relatives at home. Next year Mugabe, who will be 84 in February, will stand for re-election, seeking five more years to torment his people. The people are too hungry, too fearful to oppose him. Thank you for honoring me with this award. Lydia Cacho: I grew up in a middle-class family in Mexico City. My mother was a feminist psychologist. When I was a little girl, she took me to the slums that surrounded the city. While she worked with women, I played with the little girls and boys my age. I was 5 years old when I learned [that] poverty, injustice and sexism had a face and a name. By the age of 12, girls like me were pregnant as a result of incest, and when I began rebelling against those facts, my mom told me I had a responsibility to get an education and participate in social change. In the streets, I was told it was best to keep quiet, look pretty. As a teenager, I learned to defend myself from the patriarchal rules that promote violence, injustice and corruption. I knew I would never negotiate my dignity for apparent freedom. I am a feminist activist, and I became a journalist 20 years ago in order to tell the stories of the millions silenced by the powers that be. Some people say I am a heroine, but I am not. I am only a woman with principles [who] knows that in Mexico, my country, one in every five Mexicans are as poor as the poorest starving people in Africa. I know that from the more than 300 femicides in Chihuahua, Mexico, none has been solved truthfully. I know the war in Iraq has cost $800 billion, and the World Bank calculated [that] we could fight world hunger with $500 billion. I know that every year, 430,000 Mexican men and women risk their lives to cross the border, expelled by the Mexican government by poverty, corruption, impunity and violence. I know a governor ordered my arrest and torture because I wrote the truth after I listened to little girls and boys trapped in a child-trafficking and pornography criminal network. I know my life changed when I interviewed Cinthia, a 12-year-old girl that was exploited for sexual tourism in Cancun, after she told me: “I was only 7 when I found myself playing a game in my mind every time one of these men forced themselves in my small body. I imagined the body was not mine, that I was a raggedy doll, and I felt no pain. I tried suicide, but it did not work. I want to die before I turn 15. I do not like being a woman—it hurts.” When I interviewed her to find out the names and features of the politicians and businessmen involved in the crimes, Cinthia touched my hand and asked me, “If you tell my story, will that stop them [from hurting] other girls?” I could only answer with a promise. The man is now in jail, and she is recovering and trying to learn how to be a free and happy woman. I know if we adults do not stop child and women trafficking for sexual purposes around the world, in five years it will become a much better business than drug trafficking. I know every year more than 600,000 women and children are trafficked for the “sexual trade” around the globe. I know adult males make up 90 percent of the customers of sexually exploited children. I know organized crime could not atrocity without the help of corrupted policemen, politicians and immigration agents. I know in Cancun a night with a 6-year-old girl costs $2,000, and that an 11-year-old Salvadorean girl in Seattle, Wash., gave her pimp $500 a night until she was rescued. I know adults, not children, run the bars where customers meet prostituted women and girls. I know that there is hope, if we hold all clients and [their] protectors accountable, whether local or foreign, and ensure all victims are protected. I know to end a global crime takes global action. I know when the Portuguese and British began [the] slave trade, no journalist questioned them. I know things will not change with one single effort, but I am willing to risk it if I know one day little girls will have the chance to a life free of violence; if one day little boys learn other ways of being masculine without abusing others. Mexico has signed all international treaties on human rights, and the government chooses—time after time—to turn a blind eye to the violation of the law, and [to] those rights. I am here because I have survived not only the criminal attempts, but also my own government’s will to break me. Moral indignation is not enough to change the world; the International Women’s Media Foundation did not bring us here to simply pay tribute to a bunch of foreign brave women. I accepted to talk before you because I know that if we, as it happened, go to jail, are tortured or get killed for doing good journalism, we have witnesses to the stories that moved us to risk our lives for what we believe is ethical. Now, after tonight, you share—as my mother said—the responsibility of knowing. May the power of ethical thinking and love be with you forever. TAGS:
|
Benghazi: Dissecting Congressional Follies, Media Coverage and ‘Cover-Up’ Charges
Email 
Print
Share
Email to a friend
Newsletter 
Like Us
Follow Us
Get Our Feed
Tags|Bazaar|Podcast|About Us|Contact Us|User Agreement|Privacy Policy|FAQ: Comments and Moderation | Google+
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.
By cyrena, November 11, 2007 at 3:06 am Link to this comment
#112855 by Douglas Chalmers
Well Douglas,
Im sure glad YOU said all of this, since you know exactly what would happen if I had said it. (not that it doesnt happen already)
As for how the little-dicks will respond if Hillary makes it? Well, youve already seen previews of that. When she was at her Alma Mater, Wellesley, (very much welcomed by the student body there) all she had to do was speak simple truths, noting the reality of the little-dicks piling it on, and out came the swords. They claimed she was whining, and playing the female victim, which was actually the opposite of what she was doing. And, thats all they know how to do. The disgusting part of it, was that there were just as many women, (and on this same board) vilifying her as well. They all piss me off.
And, you know of course, that I still prefer Kucinich as my number one choice, (if thats even a reality choice that is) but its really disgusting that this allegedly sophisticated country still cant deal with the idea of a woman at the helm. Or, maybe I should say officially acknowledged as the president/leader, since we all know that there have been other presidencies basically managed by women, even if it was the male who actually held the official title. Were so primitive here in our mentality. Seriously, its disgusting. How many other countries have female heads of state, and are in fact far more progressive than we are? Obviously theyre more progressive, because theyve selected these women as their heads of state.
Well, this serves as a sentimental reminder for me to call my dad and thank him again, for never being a macho male chauvinist. I do that often, because Ive realized how fortunate my sister and I have always been, to have him. And, reading from some of the posters on this board, makes me even more appreciative. Thinking back, I know that he was always this way with his own mother. He loved her dearly. So, for those who believe in God, I guess thats how/why he wound up with these independent thinking daughters. Hes always encouraged it, and my mother has been as blessed as well.
Meantime, even if I dont vote for Hillary in the primaries, it would be sort of fun to see what happens to all of these little-dicks if she makes it. Lord knows shes way better than any of the morons running on the republican ticket. I just wish we could get her out of the Imperialistic mode. I mean, the decline from that typical arrogance and hubris has already begun. It happened to Rome, and we all know it. And, its already begun with us. Only a matter of time. Unless somebody anybody, can turn that around, and make the decision that we are NOT going to be an empire any longer, are we likely to survive beyond the next decade, even if that long. Besides, at this point, we are only an empire for as long as we have guns and other weapons. SOMEBODY has to figure out how to fight/survive/progress with their brains, and not with their guns, (or their little dicks).
Obama wouldnt be bad, (at least hes not a male chauvinist with a stupid ego, and he does have a brain) but I admit he needs a bit more wisdom. He should have been present and placed a vote on the Mukasey confirmation. But then, Hillary should have as well. I dont think either of them did themselves any good, by being absent or unaccounted for (votewise) for that, or any other important issues that this Congress should be addressing right now. I know theyre campaigning but they need to do their other jobs as well, because we the people need to know where they stand on this stuff.
Otherwise, it just looks like so much ‘politics’, and a calculated political agenda to avoid a political ‘risk’. Not all will see though it, but the ones that vote will. Quite frankly, we’re all tired of this bullshit, which is why Dennis Kucinich is gaining in his popularity, even if the NYT and others still don’t want to recognize him.
Report thisBy Douglas Chalmers, November 11, 2007 at 2:03 am Link to this comment
#112849 by cyrena on 11/10 at 11:02 pm: “...the last time I checked…. the infant mortality rate in Mississippi was at something like 17%..... It’s a result of a lack of ALL sorts of resources…”
These are both “iatrogenic” diseases and poor civil management, cyrena. In the modern utopia, outer suburbs with lack of public transport or other services like hospitals are a threat to health and sanity. Then they expect the police to solve all the problems…...
#cyrena: “The patriarchal system that controls as much of our own society as it does these other nations and cultures is one of the greatest weapons against ALL of humanity. Women of course, are the greater victims. The absurdity of it all never ceases to amaze me….”
It all boils down to ego again, cyrena. Most men spend so much time propelling their dicks inside their heads that they fail to realize that the act of thinking can occur without that as a precursor, uhh. I guess I must sound disloyal to my sex - f@ck the idiots!
It never ceases to amaze me, either, that they all seem to forget that they ever had mothers and once were little children, too. There really must be something in that old saying of Jesus that “Except that you become as a child, you will never enter the ‘kingdom’ of heaven.”.
Well, we know that kingdoms were exclusively the domain of egotistical male chauvinists - unless their male heirs were too stupid and then they made do temporarily with a woman leader. Nowadays a woman is merely referred to as “a female” in order to compensate for the loss of male ascendancy.
So, I wonder how having Hillary as president will eventually affect some of these macho-mucho grinding sperm compressors? Their heads will really start to hurt with all that thinking they never did before, ha ha. I guess they will just grumble away for another decade until Obama is old enough to get out of his toy car at the state fair!
Forgetting your childhood - and your mom - is bad karma. Strange, then, that all of these hombres do have mothers - and that they get upset if someone suggests that she was something less than perfect in every way. Also strange that all mothers always want to be seen as blameless….... despite their bastardo sons!?!?
Report thisBy cyrena, November 11, 2007 at 12:02 am Link to this comment
#112522 by Douglas Chalmers
But does anyone know what that means? It all comes down to CHILDBIRTH and the concomitant lack of a whole list of resources for most MOTHERS!!! Well, who cares as long as medical conditions and diseases like that dont exist in the USA?
Great observations Douglas. (all of them, though I would focus in on this one particularly). Because, in reality, these medical conditions and diseases DO exist in the USA. (Just nobody ever wants to acknowledge them, especially the neocon bible totters).
For instance, the last time I checked, (and this is from memory, though I can go back to the research) the infant mortality rate in Mississippi was at something like 17%. This of course, is outrageous. Its a result of a lack of ALL sorts of resources, from education, to basic awareness, to abject poverty, and on and on. For the most part, this affects women in many of the most rural areas of our country, and so generally, (not always) women of color. They receive NO pre-natal care, and NO basic education on how to take care of themselves or their children. They are far away from any kinds of social services, and there are only so many social workers to go around, to try and penetrate these dense pockets of humanity that nobody else much cares about.
Rather, we have neo-con religious crazies going around bombing womens clinics and killing medical professionals who are attempting to provide these services, because these crazies make the ignorant assumptions that all of these clinics are abortion houses. Yet, in places like these, (and there are many) these babies and their mothers die from lack of care, and the poverty that surrounds them.
Meantime, I very much appreciate the bravery of these women, because it is exactly that. The patriarchal system that controls as much of our own society as it does these other nations and cultures is one of the greatest weapons against ALL of humanity. Women of course, are the greater victims. The absurdity of it all never ceases to amaze me. One would think that at least until men are able to become pregnant and give birth themselves, theyd be more inclined to want to advance the interests and improve the conditions for that part of the world population, (the female part) that actually CAN.
Meantime, for those of you, (including #112567 by David) Trudig HAS in fact provided coverage on the lone struggle of Dennis Kucinich to uphold our Constitution. The above link from downing street, posted by Ernest Canning is one of them, but Truthdig also has a current piece (2 video clips) as well.
Its on the front page, but Im providing the link here.
http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20071109_kucinich_on_democracy_now/
These women have brought tears to my eyes with their stories, and their courage. We should all be humbled by them.
Report thisBy cann4ing, November 10, 2007 at 8:43 am Link to this comment
David: Rather than “profile” the courage of Dennis Kucinich, go to a link where you can see it on display as, on Nov. 6, 2007, Mr. Kucinich presented articles of impeachment against Richard Cheney on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/cheney
Scroll to near the bottom of the page and you will find a You Tube video of the entire presentation. It is perhaps the most powerful presentation I’ve seen in decades. If it were broadcast over all the major networks it would probably produce a Kucinich landslide since more than 70% of all Democrats favor impeachment—which is precisely why it will never be broadcast by the corporate media.
Report thisBy Douglas Chalmers, November 9, 2007 at 11:56 pm Link to this comment
#112567 by David on 11/09 at 8:13 am; “...here should be an article with the title, “Profiles in Courage: Dennis Kucinich’s Lone Quest to Defend the Constitution”. ......Not even a mention on Truthdig. Sad….”
Actually there was one, David - once - but with him bagging Hillary over some minor point verybody ahs already forgotten about (Obama’s foolish staements on Pakistan). Yes, it was a sad artice - and very poorly thought through by Truthdig who interviewed him…... he was used to attack Hillary Clinton, right or wrong.
Report thisBy David, November 9, 2007 at 9:13 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
There should be an article with the title, “Profiles in Courage: Dennis Kucinich’s Lone Quest to Defend the Constitution”. Bringing articles of impeachment against Cheney should be front page news on every news site. But alas…nothing. Not even a mention on Truthdig. Sad. I guess this site is more worried about the Congressional Democrats looking good than reporting important news.
Report thisBy Hammo, November 9, 2007 at 7:36 am Link to this comment
These women are examples of journalists doing a great job ... and doing it as women sometimes has unique challenges, or advantages.
The examples in the article contrast markedly to some other female (and male) journalists and pundits we see out there in the media.
The journalism profession is truly a mixed bag.
Thoughts on this in the article ...
“Society of Professional Journalists Award to Judith Miller Helps Cover-Up?” (Oct. 27, 2005)
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=3287
Report thisBy Douglas Chalmers, November 9, 2007 at 3:44 am Link to this comment
*Peta Thornycroft: “I work in a heartbroken country where women’s life expectancy is a shocking 34 years….”
Well, that’s really bad and I know human female life expectancy was barely about age 45 in S.E. Asia while the USA was arrogantly dropping bombs everwhere (following the f#&#xki;ng French - Vietnam, Cambodia).
But does anyone know what that means? It all comes down to CHILDBIRTH and the concomitant lack of a whole list of resources for most MOTHERS!!! Well, who cares as long as medical conditions and diseases like that don’t exist in the USA?
*Lydia Cacho: “When I was a little girl, (my mother) took me to the slums that surrounded the city. While she worked with women, I played with the little girls and boys my age. I was 5 years old when I learned [that] poverty, injustice and sexism had a face and a name…... By the age of 12, girls like me were pregnant as a result of incest…”
Again, does anyone know what that means? This is the cumulative effect of grinding POVERTY. There is hardly a poor country on Earth which doesn’t have a well-fed and cosseted elite. Mental depression and a warped religious culture dominated by fear of god and the military….... thus all the vices are righteously cultivated. But how many white American men went there as sex tourists - to exploit the victims?!?!
Report this