Towards Greater Understanding

"Us against them." How many times have you heard that phrase used to describe conflict? It's a convenient bit of linguistic shorthand that glosses over the complexity of issues that exist even in the most seemingly black-and-white situations. By emphasizing the 'us against them' dynamic, it's easier to demonize the other side and deny any commonality we might otherwise share were we not in conflict.

I bring this up because two women have written two insightful pieces relevant to our understanding of the Middle East. One describes how the language used by U.S. media and policymakers to describe violent extremism often creates its own conflict and hampers us from effectively communicating the issues; the other tells of the struggles of Iranian women activists to bring dignity, justice, and rights to the female population of that country.

These views help to chip away the wall of 'us against them' that separates the United States from nations in the Middle East:

• Amy Zalman, About.com Guide to Terrorism Issues, has just published "Beyond Words" available at the EastWest Institute website.
• Elahe Amani in "No dignity, no justice" relates what happened to the women who peacefully gathered to observe the third anniversary of National Day of Solidarity of Iranian Women.

Photo: In Tehran, an Iranian woman contemplates her vote during parliamentary elections in April 2008.
© Majid/Getty Images