when i used to work at brooklyn industries, we used to get free magazines to distribute to our customers. one magazine in particular was called
vice. it looked really interesting so i brought it home, but i never read it. till now.
i'm reading the IRAQ issue right now and it's mind-blowingly educational. it covers everything about iraq the way major media outlets won't. it gives iraqis the pen to channel their voices. obviously a lot of what is talked about is the war and how sectarian violence
is destroying has destroyed their home b/c that has become a way of life. one cannot help but talk about it. traces of war there is as common as rich, jewish people in long island.
it's got some really interesting articles like:
Iraqi Girls: Home & Away (interviews young, 20 something Iraqi girls about their daily life)
What if you dressed slutty in Iraq right now? I think I'd be shot. Right now the most popular items of fashion in Baghdad are veils and bulletproof vests. Was it a Muslim service? No. We are Roman Catholic. Before the Americans came to Iraq it wasn't a problem to be Christian
there [how ironic]. There were Catholic churches in Iraq.Third Ass From the Right (Iraqi humor)
An Iraqi and an American went to hell. The Iraqi asked to call his family and he paid $1 for the phone
call. The American did the same but he was charged $10. "Why do I have to pay more than the Iraqi? he protested. They told him it was a local call to Baghdad from hell.Little Iraq (interview with Iraqi children)
Who do you blame? The Americans. We thought they were going to free us from the militias and all the people who are doing the killing. It's disgusting to abuse your own people for money and power but now we are used to it. Saddam abused us and now our own people are abusing each other.Farahkchi Pride (interview with an Iraqi gay man)
What's the difference between Iraqi and Syrian gays? They have a different ass. Here, I really like the ass. You try Syrian ass, then you know ass means. IF you want to come here, I can show you everything. Not just theoretically. GOAL! (Soccer the Iraqi Way)
But then the soccer team, and Uday [Saddam's son], and everything in Iraqi sports and life began to get worse. Uday pressured the team to improve, but like everyone knows, athletes don't thrive on intimidation and fear. Rather than understanding that and finding new, progressive ways to coach his team, Uday took another route, settling on imprisonment and torture for any player who missed a goal...You understand
that Uday was really a sadist? That he only got sexual pleasure when he hurt people? There were other
things I am embarrassed to explain.
these are just some of the articles. the whole mag is just so good. makes me realize how little i know and how unaware i am of the world around me. i almost forgot that we were still in war. got too distracted by more important things like the freshest kicks dropping and what car i need to buy for work.....
sigh
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