Head Coverings

I don’t know what the big deal is about Muslim women wearing scarves on their heads. In the 50’s it was fashionable in America for women/girls to wear scarves. As for religious beliefs, I remember that all women covered their heads when going to church. They wore hats with veils or scarves. The women on farms wore scarves. I think the difference is in compelling someone to wear something –vs- freedom of choice. We live in a free society. What one wears should be a matter of choice – not something legislated. Besides, I think that wearing a scarf would save money on visits to the hair salon. Why do we feel it necessary to force people to conform to our changing standards – fashion or other?

Im not sure I understand. I don't know of any proposed legislation either way. I agree that it should be a matter of choice for Muslim women, to wear the scarves or not to wear them.

I have a problem with them being forced to wear them, if any of them do not want to. From my perspective, the Muslim religion is extremely patriarchal, and women have been denied equal rights for a very long time, and that, to me, is an international concern. If Muslim women would like for there to to be legislation saying they could not be forced to wear scarves in public, I would favor that.

There are implications in the concept that women need to cover their heads that I find troublesome, and very outdated. It wasn't about fashion. It was about domination and subservience. Most women in this country have stopped wearing hats or scarves to church.

At the same time, if you mean legislation that would force them to leave them off, that would limit their freedom of choice as well. If a woman freely chooses to follow that practice, she ought to be allowed to do so.

It's one of those women things that ought not be a man's business.

Just me.

Ann

Ann, I have read about this issue in recent weeks. There is no proposed legislation in the US that I am aware of. In France, there is government legislation to prohibit scarves that cover the face. If that succeeds, it could spread. Freedom of choice is important whether it be for religious purposes or simply a matter of taste or fashion. I think the terrorist scare is the driving force. Anyone who doesn't conform to society standards becomes suspect. If one covers the face to conceal identity, that is something different, however that usually occurs in the act of committing a crime, as in wearing a ski mask.

I have often felt that I should put a bag on my head before leaving the house.
Love,
Betty

The issue was raised in France some time ago. Last year, two women were arrested for protesting while wearing a veil:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13031397

The legal part of it, as I understand Shelagh's link, and which fits with what I had heard in the past, has more to do with face veils than scarves, and opens up more questions.

This blog article, which was referenced on the page Shelagh linked, is also informative, and opens up a broader discussion.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/2011/04/banning_the_burka.html
Ann

2/5/2012


A few years ago in Florida a Arab lady refused to remove
her face veil for a Drivers License for the photo, they told
her she had to remove it for the photo she refused, saying
I have my rights. She sued the motor vehicle, guess who won,
the state, the court told her if she wanted a driver's license
she had to remove the face veil...Case closed.


Cheers..Joe..

My bank requires that sunglasses and hats be removed and cell phones turned off. I can choose to bank elsewhere.

2/5/2012


My credit union has a large sign on the front door,
NO SUNGLASSES OR HATS. I think it's to prevent
robberies, I can't blame them...

Cheers..Joe..

Problem is, where do you draw the line? A few years ago, a teaching buddy of mine and a close friend of his - a local attorney, were out in his friends new car when they got pulled over. It seems the officer thought that the car was too expensive for a couple of African-American guys, unless they were into selling drugs. He changed his tune very quickly as soon as he learned the driver was an attorney, but it was proof that it still happens.

Ann

No shoes, no shirt, no bag on your head, no service.

I can remeber the KKK. What a lot of evil was/is done under the veil of that mask.

I remember The Lone Ranger. Not a lot of mask and I never understood how he was not recognised.

I can also remember the scarves of the fifties. Ugly on the head but the only thing available for most people to keep the wind of winter out of their ears. Those Siberian kind of scarves.

In the 60's, scarves became silken tapestries that adorned necks and were worn tied in a triangle as a provocative top.

Then, as far as I knew, scarves were out of style as head dressings and were used for flounces on clothings.

I personally love scarves. To me they are a thing of beauty and use.

Every person who ever learned to knit or crochet has made a scarf. How cool is that. They are art.

Love,
Betty

I forgot to add.

If someone told me I had to wear one, I would think about making it a neck tie..

Love,
Betty

I think it is ridiculous to require women to wear scaves. If they wish to wear them and they do not conceal their idenity--be my guest.

How many men would be tolerated at work, the store, or a bank, wearing a ski mask?