There seems to be a renewed evil spirit of violence against Muslim Americans, in recent days. From the initial misreporting of a planned mosque at Ground Zero, which caused the reactionary to start screaming and spewing (when the fact is that it is not "at" Ground Zero, but blocks away), to the freakish pastor planning "Burn a Koran Day" to increased vandalism of Muslim communities throughout the country. The fear that faced almost any brown-skinned American in the days after 9/11 is returning.
Women of every nationality and faith have to be on guard for discrimination and violence, but Muslim women are forced to be more wary of their surroundings than non-Muslim women, even here in the US. From job discrimination to the threat of physical and emotional violence, Muslim women in America aren't getting the fair shake that our country's values demand they get.
For some Muslim women in America, the problems go beyond racism, sexism, and xenophobia. Many are discriminated against and made to feel out of place not only by men and by the Christian Right, but by women as well. We have the idea that the hijab is a symbol of repression and male domination, and in many countries, that may be the case. Here in the west though, many Muslim women are making it known that they prefer to wear the hijab as a reminder of their devotion to Islam, or simply because they find it attractive. It is a choice, not a mandate.
It's ironic that while we rightfully rage against the atrocities committed against women in many Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Afghanistan, we tend to treat Muslim women with another form of disrespect in our own free country. We tell them that they need to dress in more western fashion and behave as if their veils are as equally degrading to women as a stripper's costume. As we look at the current crop of anti-Islamic activities popping up, it would make sense that as liberated, modern women, we extend our ideas of pro-choice to not only abortion rights or stay-at-home-mom-vs-working-woman rights, but to wear-what-we-want-rights, as well.
The fact is that due to the political climate, it's more important than ever to be more accepting and welcoming to our Muslim sisters. There are indeed many Muslim women here who cover themselves to avoid retribution from their husbands, fathers, brothers, or other male family members. It's just as true that many cover themselves by their own choice. And what about Muslim women who do not cover? Same story, only different. Their dress might not freak people out, but their skin, names, and religion do. We, as women who promote and support the rights of all women, should provide a welcoming open door to all - to those who cover by choice and maybe especially to those who don't. Where else are they going to go when they need to be lifted up?
Since this post is written mostly out of frustration, and admittedly using only online research, we'd love to hear any other thoughts on this. Please add to this info via the comments.
I don't see the muslim jihab as being much (if any) different that the bonnet worn by Amish women. I agree that it is an outward symbol and expression of their committment to their chosen religion and the strongly held values of purity and modesty. These are values that many Americans share regardless of religious affiliation. It saddens me to live in a world where there is so much misunderstanding (on every side of the issue) and so much distrust. I find it especially true when I can see that there are so many common values we all share as humans. And, although I would like to hear a stronger condemnation of Islamic terrorism from the women of the American Muslim community, I can understand the fear that some undoubtedly feel in speaking up. Finally, I want to add that I am thankful that we are also teaching our troops abroad to find common ground and values so that we can build more bonds, not more bomb shelters. I think we should continue to address the bad apples (whatever their affiliation) so they don't spoil the whole bunch.
Thanks Shelli - great analogy to the Amish way of dressing. The troops (and other western workers) abroad are doing a great job of building bonds - let's hope that the jackass in FL doesn't make things harder for them as well as for everyone here at home.
Back at you, Kim. Our local communities in KY and TN are dotted with Amish and Mennonite farms. It isn't unusual to see travel by horse and buggy on some of the nearby rural roads. I have been doing some research and am quite taken with the culture. The research has also provided greater insight into the similar values that are shared by differing social groups. Your article is excellent and I join in your opposition to the a-hole in Florida. I just want to scream, "HEY YOU! Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!" And, because it hurts my heart so to see people burn our flag and fly planes into our buildings, I wish he would exercise his freedom in private this time.
I bet you think it's funny that I turned out to be such a big flag waving, patriotic, non-rebel geek.
haha Shelli - you rock! :)
It's not so long ago that European women belonged to their husbands or fathers. My own father didn't see why I should stay on at school to take axams in order to get a better job, and he wasn't the only one. Progress is being made, but it has to go at its own pace. I think that all women should feel free to dress as they please. I know that I couldn't feel comfortable if I was obliged to wear a low cut top, asking women to peel off their hijabs overnight isn't going to work.
PS I used to teach here in France and had to be reminded by my children not to wear a pendant in the form of a crucifix to school - veils are banned in French schools, but so are all forms of religious 'decoration' (I can't think of the word here - sorry).
Hi Anji - it's true and hard to imagine that equal rights for all of us is still relatively new. I know there is a bill proposed in France that aims to ban veiling in all public areas - how do French women feel in general about that? Here, even with the ignorance that comes with religious fringe groups from all faiths, it's unfathomable to most women that we could not exercise freedom of choice. It is unfortunate that when some choice is removed or reviled, it's usually out of pure ignorance.
Thanks so much for joining us. I enjoyed your entry on book burning and democracy!
"There seems to be a renewed evil spirit of violence against Muslim Americans, in recent days. From the initial misreporting of a planned mosque at Ground Zero, which caused the reactionary to start screaming and spewing (when the fact is that it is not "at" Ground Zero, but blocks away), to the freakish pastor planning "Burn a Koran Day" to increased vandalism of Muslim communities throughout the country. The fear that faced almost any brown-skinned American in the days after 9/11 is returning."
It may surprise you to find out that FBI statistics show that more hate crimes were committed against Jews and Christians in 2008 than against Muslims. 2008 is the latest year that the FBI has statistics for. There was a spike after 9/11, but still not on the level of any sort of epidemic. Attacking someone simply because of their faith isn't acceptable here in America, but the level of hate crimes against Muslims in the U.S. is very very small.
So I ask, when will you write with this same passion about violence that is perpetrated against these other groups? You insinuate that Muslims need fear violence against themselves simply because of their faith, but real world statistics show that other groups are much more likely to be attacked or to be the victim of a hate crime than Muslims.
I'm afraid to say that most of the French women I've talked to about women wearing the veil seem to think that it's only being worn because of fear. I used to teach a Tunisian student who told me that her mother wore traditional clothes because she felt more comfortable that way. She had never forced her daughters to cover up and indeed they all had careers equal to any mans.
Hi Andy - thanks for your comment. This article was written to point out the discrimination against Muslim women who veil and wasn't intended to be about terrorism. If you have any specific incidents involving Christian, Jewish, Buddhist etc. women who are discriminated against because of the way they dress or because of their faith or sex, I'll be happy to check it out. We are in fact planning an article on the plight of Catholic women who are kept from their calling because of their sex - not sure if that qualifies as terrorism but again, the main focus here is discrimination and sexism, not terrorism.
Anji, yeah I think it's easy for us to make those assumptions. I'm guilty of doing the same thing.
I didn't necessarily mean terrorism. From the way you started this article, I got the impression you were writing about hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims in general. You then move into discrimination against Muslim women. My comment was directed specifically at the first section of your comment.
Women are discriminated against in a number of ways by the Islamic faith. Within Islam, married women have few rights not given to them by their husband. Women have much more stringent legal standards put on them than men, and I have not heard of male genital mutilation within Islam, though female mutilation is practiced.
If you wish to restrict the discussion to specifically the veil, I have no issue with women who decided of their own to wear it. However, I do not believe any woman should be forced to wear the veil. The full body covering is a different matter. It can become a security issue, and I think that should be acknowledged in any fair discussion.
I enjoy your site, I just think this particular piece missed its mark when there are larger women's rights issues within the faith that should be looked too.
Andy, sorry if the intro was misleading...the events in NY and Florida were at the top of the news along with the debate on whether veils etc. should be banned. The threat of burning Korans and discriminating against a community center were just two more things that Muslim women here had to live with, on top of what they chose to wear.
I know there are a lot of heinous acts committed on Muslim women (I mentioned that), and I think that we all know how women are treated in many Middle Eastern nations. I wanted to address how we treat women who choose to cover here in the West, though.
I simply wanted to remind people that right of choice extends beyond abortion or career vs stay-at-home-motherhood. No one should be forced to wear something they don't want to wear, whether it's a burqa or Western fashion. If Western nations start telling Muslim women (or any woman) what she can or cannot wear, we are no better than the Taliban, when it comes to women's rights.
As for security issues, I see what you mean. But a bulky trench coat or long duster could be considered a threat as well.