France Moves Closer to Banning Veiling

Oh French Parliament. What would we poor, weak-willed women do without you? We are so grateful to you for restoring our freedom and upholding the values of liberty, equality and brotherhood by telling us what we can and cannot wear in public. Cause nothing says freedom like a government-mandated dress code.

Parliament voted 434 to zero that face-covering Muslim veils are contrary to the principles of the French government (the aforementioned liberty, equality and fraternity). This resolution is non-binding, but it paves the way for another proposal to ban veils altogether. There are actually 577 members of parliament, but those who are opposed to the proposed law chose to abstain from the vote rather than voice their objections. We wouldn't them to be called He-Man, Woman-Hating, terrorist lovers, now would we? Better they should just pretend France isn't trying to infringe upon women's freedoms of expression and religion.

Because that's exactly what the ban is: an infringement upon freedoms of expression and religion. You may not like the form of expression, or the religion. You may think your cultural imperialism is saving these women from themselves, or the patriarchal, misogynistic influences of their families, or their faiths or their cultures. As someone who has witnessed the Under the Burqa monologue in Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, I certainly wouldn't be the first in line to strap one on. But we have to remember that for most Muslim women, particularly those in Western Europe, what they wear is their decision. Let me repeat that, because it's crucial: what they wear is their decision.

We may not like it. We may think we know better. Certainly anyone who's seen a preteen wobble by in high-heels, tight skimpy clothes, and enough makeup to put Gene Simmons to shame has shuddered and thought longingly of the benefits of a dress code. But banning clothing items we find offensive is not the answer. And even if I grant your premise that these women are oppressed and forced to cover themselves, do you really think denying that covering will help them? That their enforcers will suddenly say, "Well, I guess you can go out in public without your face covered now." No. If anything, we become the jailers, keeping women hidden away in their homes by denying them the ability to appear in public in suitable dress.

This is an issue rife with the politics of religion, immigration, assimilation, gender, culture, and personal freedom. But for me, it is essentially a government telling women what they can put on their bodies. I find that deeply offensive and troubling.

Photo credit: tinou bao