Move over Tom Cruise, there's a new Top Gun in town. Last week the United Arab Emirates confirmed that female fighter pilot Miriam al-Mansouri, led a mission of airstrikes against ISIS over Syria. When Mansouri graduated from flight school in 2007, she was one of only three women. She graduated from college with a degree in English Literature but wanted to find a way to serve and protect her country. She is now 35 and according to the Emirati ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, "She is a fully qualified, highly trained, combat-ready pilot, and she led the mission."
Way back in 2008 she said to a news outlet known as The National that, "A woman's passion about something will lead her to achieving what she aspires, and that's why she should pursue her interests." Flying high in the sky was her dream, despite an all-male environment. This is a dream that even in the United States, seems obscure for a woman to pursue.
Ever since Mansouri took a shot at the glass ceiling with an F-16 Desert Falcon on Monday, the news has been interpreting this as a message to ISIS. A literal shot at their core ideals, including the oppression of women. This truly is a big deal. But this is what bothers me. Will there ever be a time where it won't be so strange to see a female fighter pilot? If you were to see a male pilot you would think nothing of it. If a man had led the mission instead of Mansouri, we wouldn't even be talking about the bombing of Syria as much. As the ambassador said, "She is a fully qualified, highly trained, combat-ready pilot." She is a pilot like any other.
But hey at least we are excited about a success story in the world of women's rights! Right? Well some people, cough cough...Fox News can't give women just this! Sexism rears it's ugly head again. I won't go into details. You'll have to watch and listen to this misogynistic idiot. Enjoy friends!
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