Last week, I noticed a woman across the street. I think she lives in the university housing complex opposite ours. I noticed her because of what she was wearing--a black chador that covered her from head to foot. Walking behind her, I unexpectedly felt vulnerable myself. It was as if, by covering her body completely, I felt the sexualization of her presence and it projected onto me, another woman. I felt embarrased for myself, angry that I was embarrased and angry that this stranger in front of me provoked so many complex and unexpected feelings.
This is why I have chosen to research the laws of hijab for my Law and Religion class this term. There have been a few cases in Canada (and in Europe) where cases have been fought in court over whether or not women have the "right" to cover their bodies. Like the sex-selection abortion debate (where embroys are aborted if they are found to be female) that plagued me earlier this year, I am determined to use this research opportunity to decide where I stand on the issue. On the one hand, I believe criminalizing or forcing a woman to uncover is wrong. On the other, I believe forcing a woman to cover is wrong. Writing a paper last term on sex-selection abortion really helped clear up where I stand on that issue, and I hope to come back to this blog at the end of the semester with my thoughts on the issue after I write my Law & Religion paper.
Stay tuned.
2 comments:
Are you going to discuss the issue of the woman in south France this summer who wasn't allowed to wear the swimsuit that covered her from head to toe to the pool?
Maybe. I am looking over various European cases (as they have adjudicated the issue much more than Canada).
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