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Brainquake or Boobquake - Can we rid the ridiculous?

April 26, 2010
Homa Tavangar's picture
Homa Tavangar
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Women's power has hit a new high - or a  new low, depending on your view of global politics.  Recently, a conservative Iranian cleric pronounced that women's immodest clothing choices spur adultery and therefore increase the risk of devastating earthquakes.  I didn't pay much attention to this ridiculous, fear-based statement, but I am fascinated by the action it's sparked, by women from the east and the west.  Here's a great summary of one prominent response.  Go #brainquake!

Iranian women want equality - who's quaking over this?Iranian women want equality - who's quaking over this?

From Persian Letters-Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:

increase the risk of earthquakes.

The creators of "Brainquake" say on their Facebook page that they're saddened that the creator of "Boobquake" and thousands of other women have responded to Sedighi's claim by resolving to show some cleavage on April 26.

"Everyday women and young girls are forced to 'show off cleavage' and more in order simply to be heard, to be seen, or to advance professionally. The web is already filled with images of naked women; the porn industry thrives online and many young girls are already vulnerable to predatory abuse. Violence against women and girls has a direct correlation to the sexualisation of women and girls. The extent of their sexualisation is evident in the hundreds of replies that pour into the 'Boobquake' Facebook page where women write, apologetically: 'I don’t have boobs, not fair' or 'Hey, I only have a C cup...' and 'What about those of us who no longer have cleavage? They sag too low.'"

"Brainquake's" creators say Sedighi's comment was no news to Iranian women, nor was it funny. They note that for the past 30 years, the Islamic Republic has violated women's rights with what they describe as repressive policies.

"Iranian women have fought back in various ways, one of which has been to dress 'subversively,' but as is evident in the Green Movement, it is not their 'beauty' or bodies that they have utilized in fighting against a brutal theocracy but their brains, their creativity, art, writings, etc."

Iranian women make up more than 60 percent of university entrants. Women were at the forefront of the protests against the disputed reelection of Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. And a number of women's rights activists were detained and sentenced to prison in the postelection crackdown, including Shiva Nazar Ahari and student leader Bahareh Hedayat, who both remain in jail.

Both "Boobquake" and "Brainquake" are taking place on Monday, April 26.

article by Golnaz Esfandiari>>

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