From Amira Jaramakani to Leila Ahmed in 2001

 
Dear Mrs.Ahmed,

A few days ago, I went to the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) conference—the same conference you attended 21 years ago—and introduced a paper of mine about Arab American feminism. But among all these moments, the most special one is a question raised by a belly dancer, asking me why Arab and Arab American women reacted negatively when she told them her identity as a belly dancer, a symbol for female power. This just reminded of your recount of 1980 National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) conference. Just like what you pointed out, I again realized how deeply entrenched the stereotypes were towards Arabian women. The public opinion always tends to be binary because it’s the easiest way to think about, but this will never lead to a comprehensive understanding on the Arabian women’s lives. As you said, they were annoying because they distracted the Arabian feminists from their own concerns to spend more time in correcting these misconceptions. And what’s more annoying is that these stereotypes have hardly changed over the past 21 years. Would it ever be changed in the future? Or would it be perpetual stereotypes? 
I wish to hear from you.
Best, 
Amira Jaramakani

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