Estrella

Skin color has another meaning in Jordanian society.   Jordanians identify others by their ethnicity rather than the color of their skin.   When people look at me in Jordan, they think, “She’s American” because of my cultural mannerisms.   But when Jordanians see another dark-skinned person in a servant-like role like hospitality, they assume that the person could either be Sudanese or Ethiopian, whom are both known for their hospitality skills in the Hashemite kingdom.   Even though there are Arabs working in roles like construction, an Egyptian is not the same as a Jordanian.   Actually, Jordanians frown down upon Egyptians because of certain prejudices that Egyptians do not work as hard and are devious.   Yet, Egyptians and Jordanians are both Arabs.   The tension is between ethnicities, not so much skin color. If an American sees a person of color serving those with lighter skin, one may think in this age, “Oh, that’s so pr...

I am currently in the midst of midterms, and I am thankful that I only have two.   Half of my classes are Arabic, one in the formal Arabic and another in the colloquial Arabic, and the other half are two elective classes: one on Islam and the other that focuses on international relations and diplomacy in the Middle East.   Yet, even as I attempt to study, there are several adjustments that I have to make. First, because I am living with a host family, I must re-learn to study in the midst of small children and others’ living spaces.   I grew up in a large family with three siblings, and I had my own desk in the quiet basement where I could do most of my work.   When it came to college, I found that I best studied in the library, where silence was mandatory, or in my room, which was quiet even if I had roommates.   Now, I am in the midst of a one year-old and a four year old who do not quite understand the necessity of silence and non-int...

Honor: it is what holds together tribes in Jordan as well in other parts of the Middle East.   It is also the reason that some kill for.   According to Jordanian journalist Rana Husseini, honor crimes are reasons for male family members to persecute and kill their female relatives for dishonoring their family.   It is in a woman’s virginity and modesty that the family honor lies.   When that specific honor is violated, then the woman’s family believes that the honor is lost. Honor crimes are not particular to any culture or religion.   There are many cases of honor crimes that happen in Arab and Islamic society, which is largely a tribal society tracing back before the time of Islam.   In Jordan, however, approximately 20 honor killings happen annually.   That’s a small number compared to the hundreds of honor crimes that happen in Yemen or in Turkey.   Many of these crimes are not mentioned to the authorities actually bec...