Who's View is it Anyway?

[Sarah Oxford]

I was watching The View (or at least trying to watch the show as my 20 month old son was trying to have a conversation with me about his shapes and colors) Monday December 6th, 2010 and I was a little concerned with a remark that was made by Condaleeza Rice and then later affirmed by
Whoopi. We are of course, all entitled to opinions. My concern is when
opinions dismiss facts and those facts are misinterpreted by the
American public.

I am a 33 year old Saudi Arabian/Indian/Iranian female married to an African American. I am also a Muslim. In this day and age, there is a lot of misunderstanding and suspicion directed at Muslims. It is important that facts are presented and respect is given to religions, cultures
and belief systems other than those adhered to here in America. Sherri
asked Condaleeza Rice about her experiences in more conservative
countries where sometimes women are not given adequate respect and
opportunities. I agree 100% that this is a serious issue that needs to
be tackled consistently. My concern in this segment was how Condaleeza
Rice responded. Her exact words were "...I would meet with these
very very conservative leaders and one day I was meeting with a very
conservative man who couldn't even shake my hand because I was a woman.
And at the end of it he said would you wait right here, I want you to
meet my 13 year-old granddaughter. And out came this little girl in
Muslim dress and she said 'I want to be foreign minister too.' And her
grandfather just beamed. And I thought at that moment maybe there is
some hope because that very prejudiced man sees a better future for his
granddaughter." Whoopi went on to say that maybe one day she will have to shake hands with men.

Now, most will be asking, what is the danger in what Rice said. Is it not the truth? To these questions, I answer no. In America we are taught to
respect others religious beliefs. Accept people's differences. Embrace
others ways of life. In this case, religion and NOT prejudice plays a
role in this man's decision to not shake hands with a woman. The fact
that he did not shake Condaleeza Rice's hand made no difference in his
ability to diplomatically speak and unite as two separate nations. The
fact that there was no hand shake did not affect, in any way, the
ability for a man and a woman to sit down and speak on political
issues, to make political agreements or improve on foreign policy. This
act was not prejudiced. It was merely a choice that this man makes for
his religious beliefs.

It is slight hints such as these that lead the American public to sometimes think that the Middle East and other Muslim nations are backwards and retrogressive. The truth is, many
Muslim nations are progressing at an alarming rate and are doing so
while still adhering to Muslim teachings. We live in a world where each
country and culture holds dear to their heart different beliefs. We
cannot, as a world, look down on practices of others. It is unjust and
unfair. Men and women have been shaking hands for centuries and I think
it is sufficient to say that it really means nothing at the end of the
day. Progress in this world will not be hinged on the handshake of a
man and woman; rather on the efforts and diplomacy of intellectual and
just men and women.