This past week in American Studies, we've been discussing civil rights at length. Me being a somewhat free spirited teenager residing in the North Shore (a very liberal area), I found myself being on the left side of all the civil liberties we put up for debate. But, I must admit, about a week ago I didn't think much of the first amendment. Honestly, I think I took it for granted.
As mostly everyone knows, a good number of countries do not share nearly as many rights as we do. One country in particular has been in the news frequently lately for a completely absurd arrest. The country of Saudi Arabia recently arrested famous Columbian soccer player, Juan Pablo Pino, for wearing a sleeveless shirt in a mall. This shirt showed off Pino's numerous religious tattoos and so mall-goers complained to the Saudi police and had Pino arrested. In Saudi Arabia, it is against the law to not have your tattoos covered. Luckily, Pino was released the same day after expressing "deep sorrow."
Saudi Arabia has also recently banned women from driving. If you needed any more evidence to help you understand the extremely limited amount of civil rights Saudi Arabia gives its citizens, this is it.
The thing that struck me the most about this story, was the panic I imagined Pino felt. Saudi Arabian police are definitely not the friendliest of people, perhaps they are even the scariest of people.
One could not even fathom this arrest occurring in America. Especially since tattoos are becoming increasingly popular here. Now, the right to have things like tattoos and body piercings seems to me like a right we take for granted. After hearing this story, I can sincerely say, I truly feel thankful to live in such a just nation.
-Chrisanthy S
If you want more information on Pino, an article can be found HERE.
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| Juan Pablo Pino |
Saudi Arabia has also recently banned women from driving. If you needed any more evidence to help you understand the extremely limited amount of civil rights Saudi Arabia gives its citizens, this is it.
The thing that struck me the most about this story, was the panic I imagined Pino felt. Saudi Arabian police are definitely not the friendliest of people, perhaps they are even the scariest of people.
One could not even fathom this arrest occurring in America. Especially since tattoos are becoming increasingly popular here. Now, the right to have things like tattoos and body piercings seems to me like a right we take for granted. After hearing this story, I can sincerely say, I truly feel thankful to live in such a just nation.
-Chrisanthy S
If you want more information on Pino, an article can be found HERE.
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