Is Overlooking Abuses of Power -- Called 'Soft Power' -- a Permanent Strategy?

In Wooing Wrong, the Economist highlights Russian Natalia Morar, a feisty 25-year-old investigative journalist, who continues to be ‘locked out’ of Russia for writing an article called The black cash of the Kremlin (online only in Russian).

Natalia MorarNow Morar is in trouble in Moldova, charged with sedition after April protests against election-rigging.

Wooing Wrong makes the point that big governments have pressing concerns on their plates — pipelines, not bloggers.

This reality opens a host of issues around women’s rights, perhaps ones that have existed for decades. Personally, I’m feeling a need for clarification and a point of view here.

New friends are saying —: “This is today’s way, Anne.”

Modern Day Reality

Is it the old way, too, and I haven’t wanted to face reality?

In today’s world bloggers and celebrities — and oppressed people themselves on the street — should lodge accusations of human rights abuses and work to change the culture. But governments are busy wheeling and dealing, to keep the global economy afloat.

At times we appear to be, and often are, working at cross purposes.

My counselors say: don’t expect the American government to get involved; but individuals — you must and should be involved. This is the new nature of activism in the world, Anne.

Back Channel Activism

On the subject of human rights, the Lubnas of the world — people who are willing to take 40 lashes for women in the Sudan — can’t bank on Western governments to support her, unless larger economic interests coincide. Any pressure applied will be back channel.

Citizen journalism can be powerful, especially supporting bravery on the ground, around the world.

People like me are not directors; we are supporters and voices — a more obvious form of back channel for people like Lubna Ahmed Hussein.

As for my government, I can only hope for the best, recognizing the complexities of global interactions.

Women As Pawns

The question front and center in my mind is whether woman and women’s rights will become (and have been) the pawn in government negotiations.

In my quiet conversations with global women these past few weeks, I don’t hear a lot of confidence that women aren’t, in fact, becoming the sacrificial lambs in the new world order.

This reality would be appalling, if true, and the exact opposite of what I’ve believed. Personally, I don’t know the answer, but I intend to find out. Anne