In Veiled Sentiments By Lila Abu-Lughod

Across cultures, artistic expression often holds a particularly interesting place in the way we communicate. Despite the level of conservatism that the culture holds, or the the level of suppression of free speech, art seems to consistently be a place of expression left largely unregulated. This function of art as a form of free expression to express inner emotions and feelings can be seen across many cultures, including those living in under developed countries and those who live in the modernized western countries. The Bedouin peoples of Northern Africa for example, are known for their modest cultural practices surrounding marriage, and partnership. Rarely in this society are people married due to love. Marriages are often arranged by

As a result after a few years of unhappy marriage she ran away. Her cousin, a staunch man, believed she was faking her distress, until he heard the ghinaawas she had recently written prior to running away. After hearing only two of these short poems, he immediately understood her emotions and realized that she was in fact suffering. This story shows the depth at which these people can communicate complex emotions that would seem invisible on the outside, using these short poetic songs. Yet, this is also an example of a situation in where two different behaviors, which communicate the same thing are interpreted completely differently. When she runs away, she does so because of the same emotions that caused her to sing her ghinaawas. However, no pity or empathy is felt when she runs away. It is met with criticism and judgement. Yet, when other women and her cousins hear her ghinaawas, they have a completely different reaction, they instead have pity and feel for her. This shows the power of this artistic outlet. It is not only a way to communicate inner emotion, but it is a way to do so honestly and freely, without fear of social

Some of the most celebrated art forms feature inner most feelings, even those the artist would otherwise hide from public view. In the U.S. we are quite a bit more liberal than the Bedouins; however, when it comes to sex or the discussion of sex, we are not that far off. In the U.S. today, talking about sex is often a taboo. It isn’t a part of us that we talk about openly, unless in private settings with trusted individuals. However, inner feelings and discussions about sex are often had in our art. Often in films, in literature, in our visual arts artists depict sex or their feelings about it. Take for example the popular 50 Shades of Grey series. It is unlikely any American would casually talk about similar experiences publicly, unless they were able to communicate them through an artistic medium. So, we do allow our art to express parts of ourselves that we often keep hidden, but perhaps a bit more liberally than do the