response: saudis in bikinis

Nicholas D. Kristof brings up a touchy subject with his essay, “Saudis in Bikinis.” While I appreciate his view of women needing choice and the ability to decide the type of lifestyle they would like to lead, whether it be through more or less of a display of their bodies, I think his opinion and the mocking of a culture he is not a part of is not a constructive or intelligent way to make a point. He seems not to realize how contradictory he is when he denies the paternalistic manner in which he condescends upon these women. “Is it paternalistic of us in the West to try to liberate women who insist that they’re happy as they are?” (177). Yes, Mr. Kristof, I’m afraid that it is. 

I have plenty of opinions on our country and our view of women within and outside of it (which I will not get into within this response), but I think Mr. Kristof’s closing comments are a perfect example of privileged, white men trying to decide for others how they should or should not be living their lives. Kristof interviews a small selection of women that have differing views on where they would like opportunity to lie for their gender in the Saudi Arabian culture but they all share the view that they do not want or need condescending judgement from Westerners that is born out of a lack of understanding. One woman interviewed, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, states, “even liberal Saudis feel on the defensive and are reluctant to discucss their concerns for fear that foreigners will seize upon the problems and discredit their country” (177). This is a huge issue that the United States has tons of trouble grasping. How could anyone not want our help when we are so great and powerful?

I am disappointed that, after having met and spoken with these women quoted in his essay, Kristof still chose to conclude with his belief that it is our right as privilege to scoff at a group of people that have chosen to not be a part of what we see as freedom. It is small-minded and rude of him to say that “Saudi Arabians choose to kill their economic development and sacrifice international respect by clinging to the 15^th century, if the women prefer to remain second-class citizens, then I suppose that’s their choice. But if anyone chooses to behave so foolishly, is it any surprise that outsiders point and jeer?” (177). To refer to these women as second-class citizens because they choose to be proud of their religious beliefs and adhere to what they believe God wants of them, is unfair and mean.

In my opinion, which may be as misguided as Kristof’s (after all, it is just an opinion), the most important thing for these women is to have access to education. With access to education, women have the ability to make informed decisions. Progress takes time and the pediatrician interviewed, Maha Muneef, sheds light on the availability of education that has slowly but surely progressed. She was able to be educated through high school and go to college in the United States, “[her] sister, who is 20 years older than [her], …went up to the sixth grade and then quit, because the feeling was that a girl only needs to learn to read and write” (176, 177). Times have changed; Muneef went on to pursue her dream and those in Saudi Arabia that have access to the same opportunities via privilege or whatever it may be are able to make the same choices and pursue the same path. But that is for them to decide, not Westerners looking from outside in and passing judgement on a culture we may never understand.