Leave it to the Forward
No question that the Forward, New York’s 110 year-old lefty-Yiddishist former daily now weekly newspaper, likes to push it sometimes. This week from Cairo we see at story with the following intro:
Masturbation, oral sex and foreplay are strictly taboo discussion topics in conservative Egyptian society. Yet with impressive comfort, Heba Kotb, dubbed Egypt’s “Dr. Ruth,” covers these issues in depth on her weekly satellite television program, “The Big Talk.” Kotb’s level of comfort sharply declines, however, when asked about her education: Kotb, 39, received a degree in clinical sexology from Maimonides University, a Jewish-affiliated institution in Florida.
It is a very interesting piece about sex, sexuality, repression and abuse. Worth the read.
In the News: Well now that is Forward!
Join the Conversation
Do you think that the Forward Newspaper often finds stories it thinks makes the Arabs and Arab World look bad and then ignores the positive news about the Arabs and Arab World — a criticism often leveled at the Arab World about Israel?
Those same topics are extremely taboo in many American circles, too. Organizations are fighting to censure libraries that offer sexu education; the topics are restricted almost exclusively in American society to the “underground media” of cable TV — although granted, Cable TV in America is far more high profile than in the Arab World.
I also read a press release recently about a oman’s TV show on the MBC network maybe? Which featured Arab Women who take on the tough issues.
Just some thoughts but thanks for sharing this.
Shalom and Salam (Shalam!)
Ray Hanania
http://www.hanania.com
Not really on the Forward. The Forward covers all sorts of crap that makes people (Jews, Americans, Israelis) look stupid and backwards. I actually think this makes Arab culture feel accessible because it is dealing with the same issues Western culture is dealing with.
But Ray I am kinda bummed you didn’t make a joke…
Oh yeah…Just take a look at http://www.Forward.com