I love it when my friends trend on their own:

First up, Jillian speaks her mind.

Second, Hussein hits it out of the park. Aghem, and I quote:

I may sound like a man basher here, but this is the reality of my observations. I know a number of fantastic women who are well-educated and incredibly successful who intimidate the men they meet by virtue of their accomplishments. They did not sacrifice a personal life for the sake of their careers and they are incredibly warm, genuine people. Men just tremble when they realize what these women do, because they were never held to the same standard of success. Invariably, insecurity emerges and it’s the women’s fault that they are still single.

And per usual, I have something to add too…

Hussein touches on the vamp/virgin dichotomy in the Muslim community. I would have to say that sounds similar to the nun/prostitute choice in the Christian community, or at least the symbolism behind many of the stories is the same message. I spent about a week in Jstore once reading scholarly articles on it. So, just trust me that I have sources. Jillian’s right, women shouldn’t be boxed in and forced to deny their individuality. Any aspect of it. Equally true, the differences are important to acknowledge.

Another good read, from the Religion Dispatches: Sex, Power, and the Future of the World: An Interview with Michelle Goldberg. I’m ripping this from Reza Aslan, who ripped it from some genius about globalization who said it refers to “the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole.” It’s great to see a women taking a look at how this is happening from her own interest related to the end of the war on terror, too. She delves into global women’s movements be they, Muslim, Christian, Catholic, Hindu.

Thanks guys for the thought fodder.