Brainquake Makes Even More Sense Than Showing Cleavage

Susan notes: personally, I don't see why #brainquake and #boobquake need to be mutually exclusive - I believe in the value of both.

I believe intelligence is sexy; I'm proud of my 54-year-old body, and my 32A cup size. I don't think women have to be either intelligent or sexual, they can be, and they should be, both.

However, if I was forced to make a choice between boobs and brains, I'd choose the latter any day...

A new campaign, titled "Brainquake," has been launched on Facebook, calling on women to show off their résumés, CVs, honors, prizes, and accomplishments.

The goal is to get conservative Iranian leaders quaking with fear at "women's abilities to push for change and to thrive despite gender apartheid."

The campaign is a reaction to "Boobquake," an initiative by a U.S. student, Jen McCreight, calling on women to test the claim by Iranian cleric Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi that women who dress immodestly promote adultery and thus increase the risk of earthquakes.

The creators of "Brainquake" say on their Facebook page that they're saddened that the creator of "Boobquake" and thousands of other women have responded to Sedighi's claim by resolving to show some cleavage on April 26.

Here's part of their argument:

Everyday women and young girls are forced to 'show off cleavage' and more in order simply to be heard, to be seen, or to advance professionally. The web is already filled with images of naked women; the porn industry thrives online and many young girls are already vulnerable to predatory abuse.

Violence against women and girls has a direct correlation to the sexualisation of women and girls.

The extent of their sexualisation is evident in the hundreds of replies that pour into the 'Boobquake' Facebook page where women write, apologetically: 'I don’t have boobs, not fair' or 'Hey, I only have a C cup...' and 'What about those of us who no longer have cleavage? They sag too low.'"

Brainquake's" creators say Sedighi's comment was no news to Iranian women, nor was it funny. They note that for the past 30 years, the Islamic Republic has violated women's rights with what they describe as repressive policies.


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By Golnaz Esfandiari For rferl.org
Photo Credit: AFP

Related links:
I Feel The Earth Move
More About Iran On AWR