• Ladies (and concerned Gentlemen readers biggrin ) I have recently read an article on the brave efforts of the feminist group known of The Suffragettes. These women fought for the vote in Britian and did all in their power to prove that women were a valuable part of society. Forget these pathetic chav girl gansg raging the streets of Britian, with cider cans at their side and fags hanging from their open mouths. The Suffragettes broke windows, slashed paintings in galleries, threw themselves under forces and risked having the extremely painful procedure of being force feed. These women didn't care whether they were beaten and bruised, whether they were shunned and made a mockery of. They stood up for what they believed in and through the determination of their organisation held themselves together to win the vote for women over 21 everywhere. But now terrorism is threatening this achievement. Last month 11 school girls and 4 teachers were sprayed in the face with acid by the Taliban for believeing in the 'outragous' crime of female education. I ask you, Muslims are a peaceful and spiritual people, and throughout Islamic history many women contributed to the academic achievements of the nation. Today their are Islamic women who have broken bondaries and risked their lives to have their voices heard. Now terrorists plan to turn back the clocks to a time when these rights don't exist. To a time when females linger at home, washing and cooking and cleaning as if it was our lifes purpose. Plus these extremeists are giving Muslims a bad name, I have Muslim friends and I hate it when I get some smart-a** jerk called them names. Humanity through out time has never been perfect but we should never give in to terrorism. Any sort of terrorism on any sort of country, on any sort of people. The attacks on Mumbai were cruel and heartless, with so much loss people are beginning to wonder if its safe to leave their own country. Now I'm not a Godly person but I wasn't put on this earth to sit in some corner washing rages waiting for a man I don't love to come home and beat me and this is the reality for many women in this world. I state again I don't blame men because I know of many men who fight for womens rights. Men are equally discriminated againist, called pigs and sexual harrasers and what not just for being men. I myself have been sexually harassed once or twice (I am female) by some stupid little schoolboy who thought it would be fun to get in a quick squeeze behind me in a crowded corridor but hay I have male friends who have been sexually harassed by girls. My point here being The Suffragetes suffered years of discrimination, some of them even giving their lives for their cause, so we of a later generation could vote freely. We women ( and girls biggrin ) of this century need to realise that we were given rights by our ancestors, rights they had to fight for, rights that some people in this world want to take away. The suffragettes were proud women, real women. They weren't scared of younger,prettier women than them. They weren't afraid of looking in-superior to other women and they wore garements to make their bum look bigger! They were not afraid of their own gender or the other gender. All they wanted was piece between the two and equality were it was due. We women today spend too much time wondering why we don't have boyfriends, why we aren't pretty enough and why our bodies are perfect. I know this isn't everyone but I know a hell of alot of girls that do. We should be proud to be women ( and girls biggrin ) and stop trying to look like everything we see in the magazines. I know I'm guilty as charged for wanting to look like someone else. I know I'm afraid of men who pass me in the street if I'm alone (even though I'm in a crowd of people who would see me if someone dragged me off) and its because of all this negative media saying theres perverts everywhere but no one needs to be afraid (sorry boys I know this is victimising you a little bit but you have to admit its mainly women that get rapped so don't be mad we know your not all evil little *****, almost all us girls fall in love with you guys at one point right? so theirs your proof we don't think your evil biggrin ) I take karate and Im learning to be a stronger person will wise. No one need suffer alone whether your a boy or a girl don't take sexual harassment or discrimination tell someone. If its your teacher or boss don't worry about what everyone will think, your friends and family know its not your fault and you should too. Coporations might use excuses to get their employees out of things but thats because their only thinking of themselves. Never be afraid to speak out and if something does happen to you (sexual, sexist or other) don't suffer in silence, tell someone who you know will listen and do something about it. If I thought anyone was harassing one of my friends teacher or not I'd be their and I'd make sure it got sorted. Your never alone and if something is happening to you their are support groups and everyone else behind you.