Date: 2009-02-06 10:23 am (UTC)
I don't know which Arab culture(s) the mainstream Western media means in this case when they refer to "Arab culture" which is why I put put it in quotes. But so long as I'm erring on the side of not offending people, I'm going to avoid exposing the soles of my shoes to people whether in a Bedouin village in Israel or anywhere in Jordan. In terms of personal behavior I'd rather buy into the monolith than unintentionally offend someone when I could have easily avoided it. Unfortunately, that means I don't have evidence (beyond the fact that generally speaking the "Arab world" has a lot of heterogeneity) with which to challenge the idea that all people in all Arab cultures wound find throwing a shoe more offensive than all people in all non-Arab cultures.

Whether or not there was originally any special significance to it, though, IMHO the way the mainstream Western media have presented the incident has shaped how most global viewers understand it. It's seen as a case of using language culturally-specific to a formerly-colonized culture to supplement the anger and disrespect expressed towards (one of?) the world's biggest symbol(s) of militarism and capitalism. However baseless that dynamic might be, it's leading to shoe-throwing becoming emblematic of anti-imperialism and anti-capitalism. IMHO throwing a pie or rotten fruit, while conveying aggression, doesn't have connotations of that aggression being part of a larger issue/struggle.
While the juxtaposition of an article of clothing and a projectile may also have increased the impact, I don't think there would have been as many copycats if the original journalist had been a white United Statesian or if the media hadn't made such a big deal about the cultural significance of shoes.
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Eumelia

January 2020

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V and Justice

V: Ah, I was forgetting that we are not properly introduced. I do not have a name. You can call me V. Madam Justice...this is V. V... this is Madam Justice. hello, Madam Justice.

Justice: Good evening, V.

V: There. Now we know each other. Actually, I've been a fan of yours for quite some time. Oh, I know what you're thinking...

Justice: The poor boy has a crush on me...an adolescent fatuation.

V: I beg your pardon, Madam. It isn't like that at all. I've long admired you...albeit only from a distance. I used to stare at you from the streets below when I was a child. I'd say to my father, "Who is that lady?" And he'd say "That's Madam Justice." And I'd say "Isn't she pretty."

V: Please don't think it was merely physical. I know you're not that sort of girl. No, I loved you as a person. As an ideal.

Justice: What? V! For shame! You have betrayed me for some harlot, some vain and pouting hussy with painted lips and a knowing smile!

V: I, Madam? I beg to differ! It was your infidelity that drove me to her arms!

V: Ah-ha! That surprised you, didn't it? You thought I didn't know about your little fling. But I do. I know everything! Frankly, I wasn't surprised when I found out. You always did have an eye for a man in uniform.

Justice: Uniform? Why I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. It was always you, V. You were the only one...

V: Liar! Slut! Whore! Deny that you let him have his way with you, him with his armbands and jackboots!

V: Well? Cat got your tongue? I though as much.

V: Very well. So you stand revealed at last. you are no longer my justice. You are his justice now. You have bedded another.

Justice: Sob! Choke! Wh-who is she, V? What is her name?

V: Her name is Anarchy. And she has taught me more as a mistress than you ever did! She has taught me that justice is meaningless without freedom. She is honest. She makes no promises and breaks none. Unlike you, Jezebel. I used to wonder why you could never look me in the eye. Now I know. So good bye, dear lady. I would be saddened by our parting even now, save that you are no longer the woman I once loved.

*KABOOM!*

-"V for Vendetta"

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