The recent story of a local Iraqi man suspected of deliberately attempting to kill his daughter to restore honor to his family has consumed my thoughts.

I am an American-born woman with Iraqi roots. My parents immigrated with their families in the mid-1970s.

While my family is of Christian descent and does not share the extreme views of Faleh Hassan Almaleki, culturally, there are many similar views across the Middle East on the role of women, regardless of religious background. Women continue to struggle for equality

In a recent article, ASU Professor Tom Keil said, "We have difficulty understanding because of our extreme individualism" ("Lifestyle may have put woman in hospital," Valley & State, Oct. 24).

Our "extreme individualism" as Americans is not a negative characteristic. And to suggest such, even unwittingly, is to allow for newly arrived immigrants from the Middle East to continue their oppressive view of women and not allow for assimilation.

My parents raised me to be an individual. They encouraged me to continue my education, to be successful in my career and to be a strong woman.

They did not want to see me live the life of continued servitude to a male-dominated culture that does not provide an opportunity for women to think, choose, live or be an individual.

For years, they were chastised for assimilating to a Westernized lifestyle.

What people didn't understand is that assimilation does not mean losing one's identity or forfeiting one's own culture and history. My parents took us to church every Sunday, required us to speak in our native tongue and reminded us frequently where we came from and who we are as a people. I am extremely proud of my Assyrian roots.

However, the primitive belief that a woman must follow the life chosen for her by first her father and then her husband is not a part of our Middle Eastern culture.

It is the culture of oppression.

For centuries, women have faced oppression. In some countries, circumstances are worse than others.

As Americans, we must stand strong, defend the role of women and not accept the justifications that Middle Eastern people perversely use to dictate the role of a woman. We must encourage assimilation, show the successes of individualism and be proud of our Westernized values.

While the task of assimilation is difficult for most Middle Eastern families, the reward is well worth it.

My brothers, both honorably named after Assyrian kings, share in the successes offered to us as Americans.

My brother Ashour serves this great country in the U.S. Army. His decision to defend this country and its Westernized values brings honor and pride to my family.

My youngest brother, Sargon, is a successful dean's-list student attending ASU with hopes to attend law school.

Finally, I have successfully earned my bachelor's degrees in sociology and political science as well as my master's in business administration. I am currently in the political field and honored to be a civil servant to my country.

My family's success story can serve as a strong example for other families of Middle Eastern descent. It should be used to encourage immigrant families that Westernized values are not a threat to their beliefs and culture but an enhancement to their lives and successes as Americans.

By Romina Korkes
www.azcentral.com

Romina Korkes is the intergovernmental-relations manager for Goodyear. She is responsible for developing and guiding federal, state and regional legislative policies for the city.