An Alternative Feminist Voice

When I came across this story I knew I needed to post it. In Thompson, Anfossi, and Toro's article, "Women's Alternative Internet Radio and Feminist Interactive Communication." FIRE is advocated as a venue for voices of Women of Color around the world. Specifically it amplifies, connects, and bridges women's voices (pg. 224-227). As I read this article I thought of the voice of this Journalist, as a White Muslim. I would put her in the group of silenced voices in the mainstream media; though, she's a little special. She 'happens' to be Tony Blair's sister in law. Yes! The former Prime Minister Tony Blair's sister in law! Lauran Booth may as well be British Royalty and her comments are fascinating. I venture to say a voice like hers may also be silenced in alternative media sources sometimes too. It goes against white feminist norms to think of Muslim women as agents in their own right, or of Islam as having a real deep spiritual wisdom to share regardless of your gender or race on this planet. White women have historically been one of the biggest convert groups to Islam, a well-hidden fact in mainstream news.

Ms. Booth -acting as a bridge, one of FIRE's key functions- says, "In fact, what we Muslims are saying is "God is Great!", and we're taking comfort in our grief after non-Muslim nations have attacked our villages. Normally, this phrase proclaims our wish to live in peace with our neighbors, our God, our fellow humans, both Muslim and non-Muslim. Or, failing that, in the current climate, just to be left to live in peace would be nice.” What I find FASCINATING about her language is the belonging she now identifies with. A belonging that is the West's greatest fear. A British Citizen, an in-law of Tony Blair, a British Prime Minister. She now sides with the Palestinian cause against her own country's historic wrong doings towards the Palestinian people and state. I find this absolutely astounding.


Lauren Booth in her own words. If you read only one article, read this one.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/03/lauren-booth-conversion-to-islam

Article written about her conversion
http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Lauren-Booth-converts-to-Islam-3801663.html