Most Americans oppose a European-style burqa ban

[jumpgirl]

Comments

[honorh]

I have serious problems with the burqa, but they're all philosophical. I don't like what they represent. My good Muslimah friend has explained her views on them (she wears hijab and modest clothing, but not a face covering), and while I understand her pov, I don't agree. But, as I said, that's all philosophical, and it's not for Western, white Christian me to put in my oar. It comes down to this: We either think it's okay to tell women what to wear, or we don't.

[shanrina]

IA. I'm also really uncomfortable with how attempts to limit the burqa and other coverings have the result of pushing Muslim women who wear them out of public life, preventing them from doing things they legally have the right to do, like getting passports and other IDs in some places and swimming (or at least swimming without harassment) in France.

[natyanayaki]

i agree with both of you.

also, how does banning certain types of clothing help women who are in oppressive situations? it really doesn't, it further forces them out of society and would make it more difficult for them to ask for help if they need it...

[honorh]

That's exactly it. Do they think the men who control these women's lives will be all, "Oh, well, I guess covering up is optional, go about your daily business"? No, it means the women won't be allowed out at all. What freedom they have will be even more restricted.

[lisasimpsonfan]

A tiny part of me worries when I see a women covered from head to toe that her family might be forcing her to cover up. That she could be being abused and no one would see. But women get abused if they are covered up or not and hopefully if someone is being forced they have the courage and resourced to get help

[honorh]

Totally with you on all of this, but especially the burkini. I have the type of skin that burns in seconds under a strong sun. It's either the burkini or a full wetsuit, and those aren't cute.

[petecarl]

you could always get a rash guard and swim tights, if you can't find a burkini you like; I have some from Athleta.

[tilmon]

But burkinis are incredibly reasonably priced, and rash guards are not. I also want a burkini for sun protection, and protection against jellyfish and sea lice and whatever. I hate that a bunch of idiots have turned a women's clothing item into a political/religious football. It's the same deal with scarves. Anyone should feel free to wear or not wear them, for whatever reason, be it religion, culture, medical, or fashion.

[shanrina]

Pleasantly surprised by the American responses. Disappointed in France and Germany (hoping Britain's better by now), although not really surprised by those responses either.

[tilmon]

I think a lot of states have laws forbidding masks on the books since the 19th century? At least, Texas does. The supposed reason was to rein in night riders, but you see already how poorly that was enforced. It's in the same unenforcement category as laws against walking around with fence or wire cutters. I guess it might get enforced if police spot someone with both a mask and a bolt cutter, so maybe women wearing niqab need to make sure to keep their bolt cutter hidden. Their rifle, though, can be freely carried, so there's that.

The US is rather more used to distinctly dressed religious minorities, I think, than a lot of European countries. Mennonites have those little bonnets, Amish are holding their clothes together with pins, Hasidic Jews have those curly sidelocks going on, Southern Baptists have bullet-proof hair... OK, maybe not that last one. My point is, I think even right-wingers realize that it would be impossible to enforce a law against any kind of religiously prescribed dress.

[eveofrevolution]

[maynardsong]

There exists at least one measure by which the USA is more forward thinking than various Western European countries, then.