Read the whole description of the picture - what are your thoughts? I think there are some good arguments being made! I dont think any form of clothing should be banned (except in situations where it could realistically pose a security risk, like motorcycle helmets and niqabs in banks), but I *do* think that it is not only possible but necessary to discuss and criticise the historical and currently prevalent symbolic messages that are sent by the wearing of certain clothes. Having the choice to wear (or not wear) something is a right, but choice (which lets remember, many women do not have) does not exempt the act and what the act means or is interpreted to mean from criticism. We should not target our criticism at the clothing as though in itself it contained the essence of oppression. We should look beyond and criticise the message symbolised. The obsession with female modesty that leads to rape culture. Its a message that patriarchal institutions have reinforced through propaganda such as advertisements in Egypt that compare a woman unveiled with uncovered meat or a lollypop with flies swarming around it - this message is that a womans body is intrinsically tempting, annd that women who do not cover completely are asking for it. The obsession with female modesty is not just an Islamic thing. And its important to remember that theres nothing in the Quran that demands the wearing of a burqa. Modesty, purdah - these toxic concepts are seen across cultures and nations. There are also other symbols associated with modesty and certain clothes across cultures -religious, class, nationalist. Criticism of the clothing in isolation is difficult therefore, because it implies a condemnation of the OTHER things it symbolises (even if that is not the case). So Indian feminists who criticise purdah and gender roles in India sometimes get labelled anti-nationalist because female modesty and gender roles were tied to Indian nationalism. Same with Islamic (or secular) feminists who criticise the veil - they get labelled traitors or Islamophobes because the veil is used by some to symbolise religion as well as the modesty culture. When actually as many Islamic feminists could tell you, its possible to support your religion and not wear a veil. This is why the veil debate and other discussions of clothing choices etc. are really complicated. And added to that is the fact that imperialists have used the veil (and faux-feminist arguments) as an excuse to make generalisations about Muslims or excuse hate crimes against them, or excuse invading Muslim-majority countries. Which is wrong. That said, I think the answer is NOT to stop talking about. We should always promote choice, but we should oppose the PARADIGMS and the PATRIARCHAL MEANINGS behind certain symbolic clothes - we should oppose modesty culture, we should oppose rape culture - EVERYWHERE. ~LA P.S. Dont comment here calling me Islamophobic, especially if you havent read the article or my post. Because thats simply not true, and if you do you will be banned from the page.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 05:44:12 +0000