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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: average joe who wrote (72506)	8/17/2003 5:39:46 AM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

"Some people view the hijab as oppressive, but it's actually the opposite," she says. "It liberates in that the woman doesn't feel she has to impress other people. She has more self-respect because she is not just something to look at. She doesn't have to worry about her hair or body, but can focus on who she is, her person, her mind, her character." In fact, Joanna believes it is women who don't cover who are oppressed because they risk becoming slaves to the ideals of feminine beauty dictated by society. I follow her thinking part way on this. Actually, not becoming a slave to fashion or society's expectations resonates with me. But you don't have to wear a scarf to eschew society's expectations re feminine beauty or to be modest. It's a matter of mind set and being comfortable in your skin. If you don't want to play the game, you just go around in flat shoes, loose, long pants or skirts and shirts, and no makeup. You just ignore fashion, tune out the noise. Works fine. It accomplishes the same thing as a scarf. Both send a signal, a somewhat different one, but both say that you don't want to interact with society on those terms. We can insulate ourselves as we go about amongst people without hiding under a tent. I remember when nuns used to wear those cruel costumes. Then they switched to plain, dark, baggy clothes and sensible shoes. They are no more "slaves to the ideals of feminine beauty dictated by society" than they were in habits. If a woman wants to dress uncomfortably, whether spiked heels or a niqab, well, go for it, sister. But to say that certain coverings are necessary to echew society's expectations of women is invalid IMO. All you have to do is go about looking frumpy.