I stumbled upon an interesting news story today on Fascist State News.com (FOX). It concerned Muslim women and their reactions to a law passed in France that banned them from publicly wearing various forms of face-or-body-shielding head-wear, like the burka or hijab. Obviously, these ladies are not pleased. Refusing to abide by the law could result in arrest, fines of up to 120 euros, or even mandatory citizenship classes.
This seems like a random thing to post about, but it had me thinking. Where do we draw the line between secularism and public faith? The French fear radical Islam taking hold in their country (Islam is France's second-largest religious group, after Catholicism/Christianity), which, as an American alive during the 9/11 attacks, I can understand, at least on the surface.
However, how can we as a secular, Western society claim to ensure freedoms for all when we single out groups of people for repression, even if we say it's for 'their own good'? As a feminist and (sort of somewhat Christian), I find the idea of women 'hiding their beauty from lustful men for God' to be misogynistic, even bordering on human-rights-violation-territory, but still: don't these women have an intrinsic right to practice the tenets of their faith?
The way, I guess, that I've always looked at this issue is this: your right to do something (or not do something) extends as far as my safety and the safety of others, be it mentally physically, what have you.
So where's the harm to us if a Muslim woman where's a veil? Do our muscles contract in pain at the sight of black fabric draped across a face?
It seems to me, readers, that when countries like France (and Belgium and maybe Italy) take away rights in the name of freedom, they become the very fascists they fear.
France has always been a country of progress, forward-thinking, and innovation. Let's hope the zeal of a few xenophobes doesn't undo centuries of social progress.
French Muslims: fight for your rights.
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