Honor Killings

(CLEVELAND) - I am humbled to introduce this poem by Luke Easter about the massive problems facing women and girls in Pakistan and India with regard to sex and violence. In truth the problems spill out from there and affect the whole world.

The fallacy that a woman must be killed to maintain family honor is as old and stale as the crusty philosophies that lead to such cruel and bent thinking.

I think any person who fatally harms a member of their own family is actually worse than a random killer. The bond of trust that normally exists between a parent and child is the natural order of life, and the disdain and persecution are all learned qualities that have no place in this world.

This girl and woman killing, and throwing of acid in the face of a female, is Misogyny at its lowest and worst form and when this ugly cultural thinking takes its place at the table, hope becomes lost.

The caste system, poverty, excessive wealth, over-militarization, the perceived power that comes from being a member of a particular family; these are the ingredients for disaster and women across the Middle east face these low brow obstacles every day. However the people are speaking out and with the right media coverage and political response, many things are possible.
- Tim King

5/11/2012, 15 year old girl, acid thrown in her innocent face,
Not by thugs but her parents, looked at a boy, oh the disgrace,
The Pakistani couple said the incident cause the family shame,
They had to kill their daughter to save the honor of their name.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan we see,
943 women are killed in the name of honor last year to be free,
Free from the horror of dishonor, from the shame of disgrace,
One of the cheapest ways is to throw acid in the female's face.

Banaz Mahmod a pretty teen, her hair pulled back in a ponytail,
Reported to the London police her life was in jeopardy, it failed,
At 20 by her own family she was violated, stomped, for 2 hours,
Months later her buried body discovered, no funeral, no flowers.

This acceptable violence in the world today is hard to understand,
While the majority of these, “reported” are in India and Pakistan,
John 8:1-11, “woman caught in the act of adultery,” but no man?
Seriousness is no more important than one grain lost in the sand.

Is it any wonder that the atrocity against the woman on the bus?
Has raised no actionable cause other than a mouse squeak fuss,
News articles of alleged outrage in Delhi yet what else is done?
Multiple perpetrators on public transportation but not even one.

A crime of this magnitude not a single name there are no leads?
Violated & viciously beaten unconscious, massive internal bleed,
Death from human destruction of the lowest degrading degree,
In the capital city no less as the assailants continue to run free.

If there is true honor in the killings then why not hunt down?
The gang who threw this woman off the bus onto the ground,
Stripping her and a companion naked while others looked on,
So, why are the women In India no more then Chess Pawns?

“Her uterus and intestines ruptured from the brutal attack,”
Shouldn’t this female medical student get her dignity back?
But this is India, where cows and monkeys have more clout,
Obviously need a, “Rocket Scientist” to figure this one out.

No wonder many people were praying 12/21/12, to be the end,
Whereas these homicidal maniacs are free to reek havoc again,
The really outraged citizens should unite and answer this call,
The Liberty Song 1768, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”

By Luke Easter

Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com

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Luke Easter January 2, 2013 8:08 pm (Pacific time)

Am I scared or r u? Don't see your name anywhere, Anonymous. This was a take on the rape/bus incident of the med student. I'm sure TK would consider publishing your article on Muslim and/or Islam Honor Killings. Ah, what was your name again?

Anonymous January 1, 2013 8:51 pm (Pacific time)

Not even once you mentioned Muslim or Islam in your report. It is a fact that only people in Islam commit Honor killings. Are you scared of saying Islam or Muslim? What about the suspects from the horrible crime in India? I did not hear yet what religion these scumbags are. No names are revealed. I bet my paycheck they were Muslims. Ah the religion of peace.

Editor: Small brains always want to blame an institution. I blame you for what Christians do wrong, trust me, you will never have a chance.... Witch trials, Spanish Inquisition, Westboro Baptist Church, Fallwell, Baker.... what a joke it all is. You will never be right friend, all religions do bad things. We are critical of all. The biggest enemies are poverty and ignorance and religious bigorty... hint hint..

R Davis January 1, 2013 7:27 pm (Pacific time)

Torture among other contraversial topics is homo-erotic sado-masochism - male gangs are using victims as a means of showing their prowess to each other - psycobiology is the orgy, it reduces anxiety, reinforces bonding and encourages agression. Rape and torture in war time are complementory - for the would be winners, military and sexual victories lead to increased testosterone and increased capacity for triumphs. This applies equally to male and female participants. Causes and sects etc., seperate people and are equal to warring sides which inspire such competition. Most likely there were women involved in the rape of this young lady, even if it was only to point her out, for the men need approval and complicity and absolution in commitimg the act. The bottom line is that they are ALL getting off on it, which makes them DEVIANT.

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