MovieChat Forums > The Hurt Locker (2009) Discussion > I am from Iraq and I lived this war.. Yo...

I am from Iraq and I lived this war.. You can ask me any question..

posted 8 years ago by eme_girl
26 replies | jump to latest

Greetings from Iraq...
Well, I guess some or many of you have many questions about Iraqi people or about this was, so this is open to anyone who wants to ask or inquire about anything..
But here let me explain something very very important!!

Why always the media shows only one specific side of the Iraqi society! Look at this movie Iam sure all of you thought that the Iraqi people are just like those who are in this movie! Especially Baghdad!!!!! They show us like Afghanistan But we are not! Secondly, I baghdad not ALL women wear scarf and cover their heads!!! Not all men wear this "Dishsasha" I do not understand why the media and movies keep show us like this! Yes we have this kind of people but in very poor places in Iraq!

I remember when I visited the States 2 years ago, An american woman invited me to spend the day with her family and there they asked me many questions about life and culture.. I surprised by the question of the woman " Do all people of Iraq look like you?" I answered yes, most of them but what do you mean? she said sorry but I see you so modern and educated girl, then her husband completed : We thought people of Iraq are just like Afghanistan, see how media shows a wrong picture!

Amy Atallah

[–] MightyTiki 8 years ago

I was boots on ground on four deployments in Iraq from 2003 to 2011; I've seen and heard enough from Iraqi civilians to last me a lifetime--I'm good.

"Toto, I've [got] a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MightyTiki 8 years ago

Cool story bro.

"Toto, I've [got] a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

[–] eme_girl 8 years ago

Thanks but I am a girl
Amy Atallah

[–] freejazz38 8 years ago

Who cuts your hair?

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] freejazz38 8 years ago

you said ANYTHING. and my condolences

[–] eme_girl 8 years ago

Anything to inquire about Iraq or Iraqis or the war or society or religion.. Not about how I look like! Or how I do things... If you hate me only because I am from Iraq then that represents you.. Anyways : who cuts my hair? In Iraq we call it "Saloon shop" which is a place where you got and ask for any haircut you want, just like any other people in the world...But if you are asking about my hair in my profile picture, then that was in America not in Iraq..

Amy Atallah

[–] freejazz38 8 years ago

Hate people with no sense of humor -smh

[–] eme_girl 8 years ago

Haaa!? My friends should read this.. Anyways, one discussion never enough to know whether I have sense of humor or not...
Amy Atallah

[–] MightyTiki 8 years ago

Anything to inquire about Iraq or Iraqis or the war or society or religion.. Not about how I look like! Or how I do things... If you hate me only because I am from Iraq then that represents you.. Anyways : who cuts my hair? In Iraq we call it "Saloon shop" which is a place where you got and ask for any haircut you want, just like any other people in the world...But if you are asking about my hair in my profile picture, then that was in America not in Iraq..

No

"Toto, I've [got] a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Blueghost 8 years ago

by eme_girl » Tue Apr 26 2016 11:54:31
IMDb member since January 2016
Greetings from Iraq...
Well, I guess some or many of you have many questions about Iraqi people or about this was, so this is open to anyone who wants to ask or inquire about anything..
But here let me explain something very very important!!

Why always the media shows only one specific side of the Iraqi society! Look at this movie Iam sure all of you thought that the Iraqi people are just like those who are in this movie! Especially Baghdad!!!!! They show us like Afghanistan But we are not! Secondly, I baghdad not ALL women wear scarf and cover their heads!!! Not all men wear this "Dishsasha" I do not understand why the media and movies keep show us like this! Yes we have this kind of people but in very poor places in Iraq!

I remember when I visited the States 2 years ago, An american woman invited me to spend the day with her family and there they asked me many questions about life and culture.. I surprised by the question of the woman " Do all people of Iraq look like you?" I answered yes, most of them but what do you mean? she said sorry but I see you so modern and educated girl, then her husband completed : We thought people of Iraq are just like Afghanistan, see how media shows a wrong picture!

You get those kinds of answers for two reasons;

1) those people don't pay much attention to the news

2) the news doesn't always provide a complete picture of events and setting

I think most people who've seen footage from Iraq understood that Iraq was different from the other middle east countries because of a slightly more modern outlook. If you watch US News media you'll get a better perspective on how the average American sees the middle east.

[–] eme_girl 8 years ago

Thank you very much for the clarification! In fact I am coming to the States again and I will teach in one of the American universities, I planned to show my students a real and clear image of Iraq.. People, society, culture,music, langaues, and many things...
I watch the CNN mostly and read many american newspapers,
Do you recomand me anything in specific? like US News channel ? other than the CNN?
Thanks again!
Amy Atallah

[–] Blueghost 8 years ago

If I were you, then I would watch the network news. Watch one of the big three each night. Start with ABC, then CBS, then NBC. They are the most reputable.

The channels usually (though not always) break down like this;
ABC = channel 7, sometimes 11 (area depending)
CBS = channel 5
NBC = channel 4, sometimes 11 (area depending)

You can also watch "The News Hour" on Public Television stations, usually 6, 9, or one of the old UHF channels.

Local news actually gives the best snapshot of what Americans think is important to them, and what effects us immediately. Sewer leaks, crime, local sports, power outages, traffic tie ups and the like, like anyplace else in the world.

Our outlook on the Middle East is largely tinted by PLO bombings in Israel, Hussein's wars on Iran, Kuwait, and with us when he refused to withdraw, and the Iran hostage crisis in the 70s.

Some of that is tempered by our own negative experience with mistreating our black population throughout history, and mistreating our native Japanese population during the 2nd World War where we stripped them of their property and forced them to internment camps out of fear of Japanese nationalism. Therefore there's a portion of Americans (how many, I can't say) who have tried to sympathize with Middle Eastern people.

In general I think it's safe to say that most people regard the middle east as a cauldron of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism, but that we realize that there are normal folks living there as well.

[–] eme_girl 8 years ago

Thank you so much indeed for the information you shared here!
By the way I am a big supporter of the US invasion in 2003 though I was just a kid at that time..
Really thankful for everything you shared. It helps me a lot. And sorry for taking your time..

Amy Atallah

[–] spencerprattsactingcoach 8 years ago

Welcome to the US. Don't worry about Trump, even though he will be President, we welcome people like you, smart, hard working citizens that love our country. Trump is for that. Not terrorist or people who try to sneak in our country.

[–] eme_girl 8 years ago

Thaaaaanks a lot for every word you said.. I am sure this experience will be very unique and special for me.. Especially when I know that the US choose me among thousands whom applied for this program.. It took very long year with many tests..
The thing that really really liked about the US people is : They never judge people by there age.. Though I am cosidered too young to teach at The University but they choose me anyways among many other participants who are older than me 10 years and more.. I love such country which values people, aside from there age, religion, color and culture..
Very excited for this Summer and I am very sure that I will meet people like you in The States, people who are welcome me and respect me..

Thanks heaps :)
Amy Atallah

[–] freejazz38 8 years ago

Please, Putz. A, Chump won't win, and B. you're an example of what's wrong with this country, Stupidity and lack of education is growing, and idiots with no brain believe they are worth hearing because they have a computer or a phone

[–] spencerprattsactingcoach 8 years ago

What is your problem?

Sorry eme girl, there are some Americans who do act like this sometimes. They usually are either Hilary Clinton or Bernie Sanders fans, which are bad for this country.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] YuunofYork 7 years ago

Sorry for the ridiculously childish responses you've gotten here. The message board for The Hurt Locker must be filled with arrogant jarheads who saw it as the in-flight movie back from service and were disappointed Adam Sandler didn't play every character. If you will be/are at an American university (I did the grad school route too) you should see more of the normal people who keep the country from going off the rails.

If your offer still stands, I would be interested in which parts of the film you feel were accurate or inaccurate for the time.

[–] eme_girl 7 years ago

Thank you so much for your comment.
Right now I am in America and teaching at an American university! As you said; people here are so so so nice way more than I ever expected! The professors and the students are way so respective and lovely! The university asked me to make a presentation and an even about Iraq and so many people attended it. It was so successful.
You are completely right, people here are so normal and sweet. I love it so much indeed.
Now I am preparing for my lectures today. I will be back and right to you to answer your question.!
Thanks indeed.

Amy Atallah

[–] eme_girl 8 years ago

Me an example of whats going on in your country? Do you even know me? Anyways, all the bad things you just said are a reflect of your soul and ethics ..
Thank you
Amy Atallah

[–] jaseace 8 years ago

Most of the major network news outlets spout pure propaganda, but the best propaganda made since the Nazis. Probably better. It's sad when I have to seek out news from abroad on US topics, and scour the more reputable news sources online domestically and put it together like a puzzle just to get some portion of an idea of what is really going on. Most people just believe whatever they read no questions asked. It's way worse than people realize too. It can take up to a year to learn about the facts of a certain event. If the powers that be don't want the American people to know about something, the story is just not reported on or heavily watered down. Also beware of completely fake events.

[–] jdiz115 8 years ago

Wtf is the point of this thread? You were in Iraq we get it...