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Slate's Emily Yoffe apparently noticed the other day that honor killings exist, even among Muslim immigrants in countries like Canada. But then she asks:
Where is the outrage from the Muslim community, from feminists, over atrocities such as this? I went to the National Organization for Women Web site, and I would be thrilled if someone could find the place in it in which NOW denounces forced covering and "honor" killing.When the Washington Post's fashion writer wrote about Hillary Clinton's cleavage, NOW was outraged. Their section on violence against women seems to cover every possible permutation except that of Islamic extremism.Well Emily, prepare to be thrilled! I thought this sounded a bit fishy so I clicked the link to the NOW website, went to "hot topics" then "more issues" then "violence against women" and what do you know, the fifth item in the news section is entitled "NOW Supports Legislation that Denounces 'Honor' Killings and Violence Against Women." Finding it took me about 30 seconds. An excerpt:
The United States must call strongly for the protection of the millions of women who will become victims of stoning, stabbing, maiming, forced suicide, beheadings, acid throwing and many other cruel punishments with the false justification of "family honor."A search of the NOW site yields 43 results for "honor killings" compared to 6 for "Robin Givhan" to use Yoffe's example. This wouldn't be too important, but the larger narrative Yoffe is peddling is deeply pernicious and is usually associated with the nastier elements of the far right. Attacking feminist organizations (falsely) for failing to care enough about the plight of Islamic women both continues the vilification of the religion and makes those groups look hypocritical and selfish. This also isn't the first time Yoffe has soft peddled a Republican talking point with an odd wide-eyed innocence. Remember that hilarious global warming piece from a few months back?--Sam Boyd
