Friday, June 26, 2009
Blog 3 - Mini Skirts, Yes. Burqas, No?
In the article “Mini Skirts, Yes. Burqas, No?”, author Deepak Chopra argues that it is unfair and even racist that women are not permitted to wear burqas in France. Not allowing burqas targets religious Arabic women, who have been second class citizens in France for years. The author’s strongest point is that women are allowed to walk around bearing legs and tattoos without any problem, but that the modesty of Arabic women is being punished. Personally, I agree with his point. While I feel forcing women to wear a burqa as many middle eastern countries do is inappropriate, I also believe women should be allowed the choice to wear them if they want. If France is willing to let women bear it all, it is only fair that they should allow women to cover themselves as much as they feel comfortable doing.
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I agree with this point as well. It almost seems pointless that the whole issue with burqas is even existent. If women are allowed to parade around in a mini skirt, they should have the freedom of parading around in a burqa. I'm not familiar with the rights in France but I'm pretty sure wearing a mini skirt would violate the dress code more than a burqa would. Since Arabic women have been second class citizens in France, what are they supposed to do? Walk around in mini skirts when it's strictly against their religion?
ReplyDeleteOne of my co-workers mentioned France's no-burqua policy the other day, and went on to say that he agreed with it because it "freaks people out." I told him that is the exact problem with people today, especially those who get their news through large media corporations. These media entities scare people, intentionally causing fear and making my co-worker think every burqua-wearing Muslim is a terrorist of some sort.
ReplyDeletePeople just need to educate themselves about cultures that are not their own; like my co-worker for example is a pretty smart guy, he is just extremely Amerocentric.
It's not even just Americans. I'm dating an Indian man who's family is Hindu... he actually told his parents I was Muslim before telling them I was white to ease them into the idea of their son dating a white woman. Apparently the only thing worse than him dating a white woman is dating a Muslim. Unfortunately it isn't just the media that perpetuates these stereotypes.
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