From an article I read in a newspaper stocked at a bar I go to:
Passage to Islam - Brotherhood Amidst Raging War
I feel the author does a disservice to his readers here. The US State Department regularly issues warnings to Americans traveling abroad about the dangers of traveling in many of the countries of the Middle East. Additionally, it has been my experience (limited as it is) that skin color does indeed make a difference, i.e., the whiter you are, the less welcome you are.
I cringe at the way the author employs breathless phrases like “edgy appeal,” “mystery of the unknown” and “not gay in our sense of the word” (note the use of our - ), because it appears to confirm allegations from Western observers (like recently deceased scholar Edward Said) that the Western press continues to play a part, however minor and non-deliberate, in advancing neo-colonialist agendas by objectifying and dehumanizing the Orient. While I would argue that the Western press has become a lot better about reporting things accurately with regard to events in the Middle East, especially because people have called it to task when it’s gotten things wrong, reporters can do even better, such as here.
Nonetheless, I appreciated this piece, and found it interesting, and the author should be applauded for making an attempt to see the reality of the Middle East for what it is, both as a gay traveler and an American. A courageous soul (if a little wet behind the ears as a journalist - ).
The US State Department issues warnings because if something were to happen, they could turn around and tell the family “we WARNED him!”.
If there’s actually something going on worth worrying about, the SD evacuates its unnecessary embassy personnel. That’s when you want to think about moving your departure date up a bit.
Reasonably white American with time in the mid-east checking in:
People are people. If you treat them like people, they usually treat you the same. People being people, of course, there are no guarantees. Anywhere. I found the fact of my nationality to be an ice-breaker and subject of genuinely interested conversation, not a threat to my health or welcome. I generally found the folk to be hospitable, proud, and open. I’d be quite happy to go back, any time.
Back before the Berlin Wall came down, this Gay American would go over to East Berlin every weekend and spend the night with friends. I was warned it was not safe. Ridiculous…the people were kind and were interested in hearing about life in the US.
I know lots of Americans who travelled in countries that might seem “iffy” to the non-experienced travellor. If you know how to assimilate in a culture, and if you are open to new exerience and adventure, I say go anywhere. I would feel safer going through Afghanistan than I would wandering the streets of Gary, Indiana after midnight. Shit happens, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from going out into the world if they are saavy enough to handle it…
), because it appears to confirm allegations from Western observers (like recently deceased scholar Edward Said) that the Western press continues to play a part, however minor and non-deliberate, in advancing neo-colonialist agendas by objectifying and dehumanizing the Orient. While I would argue that the Western press has become a lot better about reporting things accurately with regard to events in the Middle East, especially because people have called it to task when it’s gotten things wrong, reporters can do even better, such as here.
).