Mostly, my view on all forms of hijab is that it is complicated and I don't thoroughly understand it and I have been paying a fair bit of attention to Muslimah feminists for about 10 years now, since I discovered Fatima Mernissi.
In light of this, I feel obligated to resist the tendency, on the part (mostly) of Western non-Muslims, to decide that they know everything there is to know about it and what it is and what it means and whether it is Good or Bad For Women.
What I do know, and what history knows, is bad for women: not allowing them to be autonomous human beings with meaningful decision-making power in their own lives.
Including how and whether they wish to cover their bodies or clothe themselves.
There are people, male and female, on all sides of the hijab issue who are more than happy to deprive women of their autonomy. Some want to make sure women wear hijab. Some want to make sure they don't. Either is bullshit.
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Date: 2010-04-15 03:30 pm (UTC)In light of this, I feel obligated to resist the tendency, on the part (mostly) of Western non-Muslims, to decide that they know everything there is to know about it and what it is and what it means and whether it is Good or Bad For Women.
What I do know, and what history knows, is bad for women: not allowing them to be autonomous human beings with meaningful decision-making power in their own lives.
Including how and whether they wish to cover their bodies or clothe themselves.
There are people, male and female, on all sides of the hijab issue who are more than happy to deprive women of their autonomy. Some want to make sure women wear hijab. Some want to make sure they don't. Either is bullshit.