Jill Dahrooge
Headscarves
have created a social discrimination between cultures and society. In the chapter "The Other Side of the
Veil" by Caitlin Killian, she writes about how the wearing of headscarves
is prohibited in France public schools. The most obvious reasoning is that
veils and headscarves comes across as threatening to people who do not practice
this belief, especially after 9/11.
Because of the demoralizing connection between headscarves and the women
who wear them, women are denied their freedom for religion and individuality. Killian gives the example of how France
public schools serves fish on Fridays to respect the Christian population
during Lent and prohibit exams on Saturday to allow the practice of Sabbath for
the Jewish population. If these
exceptions are made, why are an Islamic women's cultural dress seen as a
threat? I agree with some of the
opinions given by the people Killian interviewed. It is completely unfair that these women are
forbidden religious freedom because their culture has a negative reputation. I also agree with one woman's statement on
why do people worry so much about innocent girls wearing a headscarf and not
the other troubled kids who brings knives to school? Our society's false perceptions have poisoned
the ideas between good and evil and has led to the ignoring of important
issues.
I also do not
understand the "threatening" concept of veils and headscarves after
reading the chapter "Imagining Arab Womanhood" Amira Jarmakani discusses
photographs that show Islamic women wearing a headscarf. The messages portrayed describe the women as
"helpless", "trapped", "innocent", and in need of
protection. Jarmakani says that this
helplessness shown in the women supports the reasoning for the involvement of
the U.S. military. The veiled women are
seen as victims of their oppressed society and in the hope for survival the
United States is needed. It is these
wrong judgments that create the veiled women to feel uncomfortable and
criticized. Jarmakani describes the look
in a veiled woman's eyes as "she might will herself to evaporate." There seems to be so much oppression and
unfairness that these women don't want to exist if they cannot have
freedom. Jarmakani also describes the veils
as "forced enclosure and restriction of a woman." It appears that the trouble that the United States
has had with the Islamic countries that these connotation have erupted. If differences can be settled, it seems that
the negativity towards headscarves will disappear and the Islamic women will
finally enjoy the religious freedom that other religious women possess. In my opinion, there is no solid reasoning
for this discrimination.
Lily Cannon
ReplyDeleteReading through Jill’s post, I completely agree her and Killian that it unfair that these women are forbidden religious freedom. I think Jill brings up a valid point on how public schools in France serve fish on Fridays during Lent for the Christian faith and also prohibit exams on Saturday for the Jewish population, so why not allow people to wear headscarves for the Islamic culture and religion. The discrimination on Islamic women in today’s society due to 9/11 is unfair and is represented not just in France but also in many other countries. Although in a way it is discriminating against them it also can be very liberating to not wear there head scarfs because most women are forced to wear these head scarfs and are looked down upon and looked at as “weak”.
Charlotte Sargent
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Jill says in her post about the question of why exceptions are made in schools for the Christian population during lent and for the practice of Sabbath for the Jewish population, yet not for Islamic women’s cultural dress. Islamic women should be allowed to express their religion and they should not be looked at negatively for expressing their freedom and right to certain religious practices. Society does not look at or give Christians for example the same negative connotation or judgment as they do Islamic women mainly because the Christian religion does not require a specific kind of dress nor are Christians seen as a threat. I also agree with Jill when she talks about the headscarf portrays women as “helpless,” “trapped,” and “innocent.” Wearing a headscarf hides a woman of her identity and causes her to feel as if she has no freedom. I have nothing against a woman wearing a headscarf, but I can imagine that it must be difficult in many ways because they are criticized, looked at, and treated differently. Our society makes strong judgments on the negative aspects of some cultures as a whole, that those who are a part of the culture cannot tear away from the stereotypes.
TJ Brady
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jill completely about her comments regarding "The other side of the Veil. If accomodations are being made for children of other religions in public schools, such as serving fish on fridays in lent for catholics, then accomodations should also be made for muslims. If these women aren't allowed to wear their veils, then catholics shouldn't be allowed to wear crosses to school. In a public school, all religions should be accounted for, or no religions should be accounted for.
Natalie Bennett
ReplyDeleteI like the contrast Jill pointed out here about how in one article there is outrage over the threatening stigma people associate with the wearing of headscarves while in the other article, veiled women are seen as helpless victims in a misogynistic world. With that said, I completely agree with everything she had to say regarding the girls in the French school system. if accommodations are made for students of other religions there is absolutely no reason as to why these girls can't wear what they choose.
Anna Grofik
ReplyDeleteAs Jane discussed, a 'negative reputation' has been created for veil-wearing and the culture associated with it. I agree with Jane in saying this reputation has increased, if not originated, in the events of September 11th and the fear and prejudice that spread throughout the country afterwards. Like Jane states, headscarves could be a repressive force among some women, but I don't think that that repression is the universal understanding and meaning of the veil. Jane also discusses the victimization of women who wear veils and the 'necessity' of US aid. I believe this circumstance is entirely misguided because it portrays these women as in need of a foreign military to invade their country and destroy their homes all because of a veil.
Sarah Wills
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jill's comments about how headscarves are misunderstand in America, especially after 9/11. Americans view the veils as "forced enclosure and restriction of a woman". Comments like these are made by people who do not know about the cultures that follow these practices. But I do understand how the idea of a veil can seem very repressive and unequal. Just as Killian stated, men are supposed to cover themselves as well, just not to the extent that women have to. I also agree with Jill in that I do not understand why veiled women are seen as a threat. Just as Jill stated, the school made exceptions for other religions, but for some reason, they were not willing to accept the headscarf. This is probably due to the lack of awareness of regarding the veil.
Kelsey Warkentin
ReplyDeleteJill's comments about how Arab women are seen as "threatening" are certainly true. Last year in my history class, we were talking about 9/11 and our experiences of the tragedy. There was a Muslim boy in my class who was normally quiet, but decided to speak. He talked about how his dad didn't allow them to go to restaurants or many public places after the terrorist attack. He knew that people would think they were dangerous and look down on them. The boy talked about how he didn't understand his father even at that young age. Why would people hate him just because of his faith? It took him awhile to come to the realization that people are stereotypical in this nation, and he needed to adopt to that over the years. All in all, the fact that people see Arabs as threatening doesn't make sense. And in regards to France, headscarves are only misunderstood because of the people wearing them. If a Hollywood movie star wore one, it would be seen as a fashion statement, not a violation of church and state.
Gracie Hall
ReplyDeleteAs Jill and others have noted, I as well sided with the argument that veils should be accepted in schools and public French spaces. However, the more specific point that I really latched on to was the notion that it was a ‘missed opportunity’. If all differences were purged from a classroom, students would have a hard time learning from one another. By being free to show their religion and culture, conversations can blossom and understanding can be accomplished. By referencing life experience, cultural differences, and religious liberality students would have an opportunity to see things in a multi faceted perspective. I personally promote the tolerance for all religions (rather than few religions or no religions). I think it allows for an ongoing dialogue. Perhaps, if it was more accepted, Western countries wouldn’t have such blunt stereotypes such as jailed of hyper sexualized. I think for greater tolerance, there is a need for a utilitarian approach.