RSS Feed
Sarkozy Out of Line
President Obama recently criticized a French law that prohibits Muslim girls and women from wearing body- and face-covering garments in public schools.But French President Sarkozy this week gave his support to attempts to bar Muslim women from wearing body-cloaking robes such as the burqa. What's your view? Is this a private religious matter or a public/government one? Is the burqa welcome in America?
My immediate reaction when I read that French President Sarkozy wants to ban Muslim women from wearing the burqa was one of anger. I thought France was supposed to be a democracy, and in my feeble understanding, democracies allow people to have the freedom to be who they are. I am still angry.
While we might not understand different religions and/or ethnic groups and their culture, it is the height of arrogance - especially in a so-called democratic society - to impose one's disapproval of a culture on that culture's citizens.
Even though President Sarkozy gave as a reason that he thought the burqa was and is a "sign of subservience and debasement," the fact of the matter is that the culture and religion of the women who wear the burqa requires it, and for a government to impose its will on the religion and its members shows not only insensitivity to that culture, but also extreme arrogance.
President Obama has chosen to respect people of other cultures and religions and some have criticized him for that. That has not been the norm for America. We have run rough shod over other cultures from the beginning, causing many people to want to deny their religion, their race and or their ethnicity.
The Rev Joseph Lowery alluded to that when, in his benediction at Obama's Inaugural, referred to a jingle that many remember growing up: If you're white, you're right, if you're yellow, you're mellow, if you're brown, stick around, but if you're black, get back."
The refusal of the majority American culture to honor other cultures made many ethnic groups seek to assimilate and deny themselves, rather than bear the cost and pain of rejection.
I wonder if Sarkozy even gave a thought to the havoc that might result in Muslim families, devout Muslim families, who absolutely view a wearing of a burqa as a sign of their fealty to God? I can imagine that it would be no less traumatic than denying Jewish families to eat Kosher food or to wear skull caps. What right does the government have to impose itself on religions and essentially trash the mores of those religions?
Should Muslim women be allowed to wear the burqa in America? Why not? If we are truly a pluralistic society, and truly a democracy, on what grounds would we stand to prohibit it? I would think that America has no choice but to allow religions to practice as their dogma dictates, based on our Constitution.
If, or since, we allow anyone to say anything he or she wants, based on "freedom of speech," even if what one says is harmful or hurtful to another individual or another group, then why would we even ask if America should allow the burqa?
I think Sarkozy is out of line. He has imposed the will of government on a religion, and while he might be trying to stand up for the rights of women, who, according to modern, Western standards are truly oppressed, in the end, it is the women of that religion who must make their own decisions and take action. Only they know the consequences of not wearing the burqa, and I think it is unfair and not right for the president of any nation to pass a law or decree which will negatively impact a group of people, just because they are a certain race, religion or ethnicity.
Bad move, Sarkozy.
By
Susan K. Smith
|
June 24, 2009; 3:15 PM ET
Share This: 
Technorati
| Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook
Previous: Obama: What Would Michelle, Sasha and Malia Say? |
Next: Burqas Can Liberate or Debase
Posted by: educated | June 25, 2009 3:56 PM
Report Offensive Comment
While Ms. Smith brings up some good points related to pluralistic democracy, the system we have in the United States, she does not seem to grasp that France is a secular society, and this is not the same thing. Sarkozy banned the burqa in public schools. He didn't ban women from wearing these in other public venues. Why did he single out schools? My guess is that a state-run school is the symbol of progress and hope for the next generation. The burqa is not required by the Qu'ran but rather imposed on women of a certain culture. For Muslim girls in France, this may be the only venue where they are viewed as equals to their male peers and enjoy the same opportunities to learn and succeed. The burqa is a relatively new tool of debasement forced onto women, something that is not mandated by Islam's guide (the Qu'ran). It is akin to extremist Mormon sects advocating for plural marriages, something not endorsed by the Church of Latter Day Saints. Although the U.S. would never ban the burqa in public, France's secular system allows for Sarkozy to enact such a law and open up doors for girls and women to take off the veil and finally be seen as equals.
Posted by: joiedevivre | June 25, 2009 3:28 PM
Report Offensive Comment
I mean, seriously, if Pagans got turned around somehow to demand we send our daughters to public schools in, ..I dunno, masks of the Maiden, something like that, and demand they never take them *off,* no one would bat an eyelash if we got *locked up for abuse.*
There's pluralism, and then there's enabling the denial of the basic rights to have an education, to show your face in public, to *be part of the very society that offers the Liberty in the first place.*
Hijab? Lovely. Burqa? That's beyond *symbolism* and actually over the line into dehumanization, isolation, denial of life as an individual human being in a free society. It's saying the government will allow young women to be denied a *face.* Or even a clear view of the blackboard. Gods.
Posted by: Paganplace | June 25, 2009 2:33 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Even with guarantees of religious liberty, there's a difference between a government allowing women religious expression, and a government allowing young women to be prevented from being seen *at all.*
That's not a free society.
Posted by: Paganplace | June 25, 2009 2:26 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Hogwash. They came to our country and should adapt. No one held a gun to their heads to make them come although a machine gun could be easily hidden in one. The burqa is a symbol of oppression of women as well as a debasing symbol very similar to that of slavery. It has no place here, especially in schools where supposedly "separation of church and state". Religion is poison and continues to enslave our minds. Muslim women are treated worse than dogs in their homelands and it's high time this change. Ban that symbol of oppression and slavery or force Muslim men to wear them as well!
Posted by: elleyeyegreen | June 25, 2009 12:50 PM
Report Offensive Comment
"I thought France was supposed to be a democracy, and in my feeble understanding, democracies allow people to have the freedom to be who they are. I am still angry.
While we might not understand different religions and/or ethnic groups and their culture, it is the height of arrogance - especially in a so-called democratic society - to impose one's disapproval of a culture on that culture's citizens."
While I share the sentiment that a free society must allow burqa, despite the ingrained misogyny, I don't understand the repeated appeal to democratic principle in this opinion. Firstly, democracy does not denote, nor even connote religious freedom. Secondly, given France's demographic and prevailing tone, it is entirely conceivable that the majority would be in favor of banning burqas. Following this to its logical conclusion, the democratic response would indeed be this sartorial proscription.
Posted by: Threepac | June 25, 2009 11:56 AM
Report Offensive Comment
The comments to this entry are closed.
Unbelievable! Suddenly, laws to establish decency in society are verboten if they are connected with religion? Bosh! You are too much...perhaps you should start wearing a burka today in solidarity? Go ahead, I'm waiting...
also, perhaps you realize in your ivory tower, there isn't much danger of actually running into this practice much...imagine trying to teach, conduct business, etc, amongst such women or do anything wearing one...it's inhuman and you should be ashamed. We would not be discussing this issue of men were compelled to wear this...