Our presence has its marks in the minds of Adam and Eve and in the dried ink on the papyrus on which man could first write. Our bond of closeness as neighbours in man’s Oxford dictionary of words is strengthened by the continued rejection we suffer in the land where culture can kill and where norms can go unquestioned despite the lunacy of some of them. This land’s name begins its journey with a Y, a yes, an indication of the openness and hospitality of its people and ends with an N, a no, a closure to everything that deviates from its socially accepted customs. Every Yemeni family will have experienced this journey at least once in any sphere and the basket to pick from is plenty. Marriage, female employment, travel, dress, etiquette or even financial expenditure have all been causes in the uprising of loud voices, men’s daggers or the hand of dismissal. Social customs in Yemen can restrict, constrict and suffocate its victims allowing no leeway for progress and development. The very few sprouting educated or laterally thinking minds raise riots in their homeland, homes and circles of colleagues until heavy exchanges of words with their conservative counterparts; turn them blue in the face in an attempt to encourage modification.

How many men have been refused their eyes’ catch because of her colour, status or family name? How many men have been refused employment because of the side of the hills they originate from in fear of supremacy and overtaking by the opposing foe, tribal northerners versus out spoken southerners? How many women have been turned away from education and its benefits because of tightened cultural expectations? How many children have been unhealthily guided to intoxicate their intestines with the drug that controls Yemen, in the name of manliness and strength? How many men were lead to believe that the dagger and khayzuran speak louder than their Alif, Baa and Taa? How many families are turned against each other with the use of black magic as an excuse? And the list goes on.

Acceptance and I have been banished once again in the eyes of one of many Yemeni households and we have been kept under house arrest in this darkened room. “Difference” is often regarded with an eye of suspicion in Yemen and accusations are often the bullets targeted at him. He is accused of enticing a deviation from religious and moral standings and the set norms which have worked for hundreds of years, or have they? As for I, my journey is slightly less cumbersome. Buying others qat and commending noble features of Yemen facilitate in the process of my acceptance and access into their world but I must tread vigilantly with any change that may affect honour, dignity, appearances and religion.

Acceptance and I wish not to revolutionize Yemen or mummify it so it outwardly becomes a Western puppet show which would internally burn the robust spiritual fibers holding its people abreast. However, we seek authorization for the inflexible river of social customs to meander once in a while in an alternative direction. This is to permit novel and constructive ideas, customs and actions to be explored and implemented for the sole purpose of enrichment of the individual intellect, mindset and philosophy. Change in life is inescapable but change permits growth. However, will Yemen create the change or allow change to create it and consider which of the two options are the consequences are more predictable? However, risk and acceptance of that risk required for the change from the known to the unknown, is of paramount importance for the growth process of our nation and its brains. If our nation and its people discontinue change, won’t they themselves cease? Consider this quote by Harold Wilson, “He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery”.

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