Real Women Drive Cars

When I was about four years old, I used to live in Saudi Arabia. I remember that my childhood was great in Saudi Arabia and I met many great people that I am still in touch with today. I had a lot of great memories in Saudi Arabia simply because it is a very nice place with very nice people. However, with every positive there always comes a negative. I remember seeing my mother's rights taken away from her. I remember at every family outing or any outing for that matter, she had to be covered from head to toe. She had to wear a long black abaya (a long robe like dress) and a hijab (head scarf) not because she wanted to, but because she had to. I also  remember not being able to go out until my dad came home from work, because by law, women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. 

Earlier this year, a Saudi Arabian woman's rights activist by the name of Manal al-Sharif started a women's right-to-drive campaign and defied this law and drove her car in the city of Khobar. She videotaped herself driving and put it on both youtube and facebook. On May 21, 2011 she was detained and was arrested the following day. She spent nine days in prison simply because she is a woman and she drove her car. Manal encouraged women accross Saudi Arabia to drive their cars on June 17, 2011 in the hopes of encouraging this movement and giving women their right to drive. This is not the first attempt for this campaign. In 1990, a group of women protested their right to drive arguing that women should have the freedom to go to the store or drive to work. This same group of women were also cheered on as 'whores' and most of them were banned from travelling for one year as a punishment for their behavior. 

I would expect this kind of law in the stone age when women didn't have rights. However to this day, women are still treated as property and as second class citizens in Saudi Arabia. These laws just don't make any sense to me, how can someone live in a country knowing that they are forced to dress and act a certain way? or that they are someone's property? or that their freedom and their rights are taken away simply because of what is between their legs? 

Women are beautiful people and need to be recognized for their beauty and treated with respect and dignity. Don't get me wrong, I love Saudi Arabia very much because most of my childhood was there and I grew up there, I just wish that their laws be revised and that women all around the world are given universal human rights. 

My message to Manal al-Sharif and all Saudi Women drivers: Fight for your rights and build a better tomorrow for future generations. Don't ask for permission to drive. JUST DRIVE! It is your human right and you are human. You are equal to man whether they like it or not! Driving is not a crime!

                         Women's rights are human rights!

My Canada Goose Experience

As I was driving through the city of Toronto today at around 7:30 pm, I was forced to stop in the middle of Eglington Ave because a Canada Goose was crossing the street. What caught my attention is that this Canada Goose was hopping on one leg and struggling to move the other leg. This Goose was definitely injured and had what looked to be like a broken or twisted bone in his or her left leg. 

Being the animal lover that I am, I naturally felt it was my duty to report this and to try to get this helpless animal any sort of attention. I followed the Goose and walked behind it making sure that I can visibly see it while contacting Toronto Animal Services. I called Toronto Animal Services where I was instantly put in an automated phone system that told me to press "1" if my call was an emergency call or if it was regarding an injured animal. Naturally, you would think that an emergency call would be answered instantly right? WRONG, I was following the goose for about 20 minutes until I finally got an operator named Sherry on the phone. When I explained my concern about the injured goose, there was an awkward silence, it was almost as if what I was saying was the most absurd thing she has ever heard of in her life. She then proceeded to tell me the most absurd and ridiculous thing that I have ever heard in my life. In a nut shell, she explained to me that she can contact someone to help me however, because it is after business hours, they will likely resort to "putting down the animal". I explained to Sherry that the Goose just needs some medical attention and does not need to be put down, she interrupted me and told me that these were the procedures and asked if she should contact someone to pick up the goose. So, after 20 minutes of being on hold and 5 minutes listening to the garbage she was saying, I was convinced that leaving the goose there to fend for itself was a lot better than killing it. Sherry proceeded to tell me that if I am still concerned tomorrow to go back to the area and look for the goose and call Toronto Animal Services during business hours and an inspector can come and take a look at the goose and give it the help it needs. Basically after hours, they resort to killing an injured animal, however during hours they would be glad to help. This is the STUPIDEST thing that I have ever heard and this is definitely not something I would expect from the city of Toronto.

I could be overreacting simply because I have a passion and a soft spot for animals. However, I can't help but wonder how valuable the Canada Goose really is. The Canada Geese are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act of 1918. This Act makes it illegal to harm or injure a goose or damage or move its eggs without a Federal permit. Failure to comply with this law results in fines ranging from $5000-$10,000. 

My concern is, we as Torontonians love our animals and agree with this law. However when it comes down to it, the city is more concerned over the fine or payment that you will be paying rather than the actual health of the animal. As I saw today the Canada Goose means practically nothing to the city. 

      I expected more from our city. What a shame.