Hello world, can you hear me? Finally?

And so it begins… again. I am officially starting a new blog. But this time, I want it to be read. This time, I want it to be heard. This time I want it to be effective. Can you help me Web 2.0? Can you make my voice louder? My thoughts clearer? My dreams realer? And so it begins…

I am not a virgin.

I have always blogged. I blogged without Internet and wrote without a pen. I blogged in my mind, told it stories, and pled for my sanity and voice: “I have an opinion,” I keep telling it. Don’t shush me! I can decide for myself. Don’t dismiss me! I can speak for myself. I can speak for myself. Not my father, not my brother, and certainly not my husband.

I am an Arab girl.
I am an illiterate Arab girl.
I am a powerless illiterate Arab girl.
I am a silenced, powerless, illiterate Arab girl.
I am a stereotyped, silenced, powerless, illiterate Arab girl.

If only I knew how to write, I would have written for myself.

If only I knew how to speak English, I would have spoken loads to masses in the world.

If only I could “get online,” my voice would have been heard by now…

And I did. Against all odds I did. I did all of this. But my voice remained unheard. My words remained unspoken. Why? What am I doing wrong World Wide Web? What are YOU doing wrong World Wide Web?

But it’s ok. Web 2.0 has come and it won’t let me down like you did. I am sure it won’t. Web 2.0 will treat me right. It will save me and save my words.

Web 2.0 will connect me to other Arab girls, to communities of Arab girls, to masses of girls. And then I’ll become a woman. An empowered woman who will speak for herself, for and with millions of other Arab girls. Thank you Web 2.0. I am yours. Take me out now. Take my words and let them be…

I am an Arab girl and I am not a virgin. No I am not. But I have to pretend to be one.