Oh no, not this shit again.

From the Guardian – http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/03/italy-draft-law-burqa?CMP=twt_gu

Italy has drafted a law that would ban the burqa. My initial reaction, was that it is rather amusing, that Italy, with all the scandals involving Berlusconi, has decided that its most pressing problem is women who  wear the burqa or niqab. I understand why people are uncomfortable with women who wear either the burqa or niqab, whether its for ideological reasons, or for the basic reason that it is difficult to speak to someone when you cannot see their face/facial expressions/body language. However, the fact that something makes me uncomfortable does not give me the right to ban it, especially when its not harming anybody else.

I’m not going to repeat my argument about why I think this is fundamentally a step in the wrong direction for immigrant integration/minority integration into mainstream society, or women’s rights, because I’ve mentioned all of that in my entry on Belgium

What percentage of Muslim women in Italy wear either a burqa or niqab? The article states that the number is rising, and that may  very well be true, but nowhere in the article does it state a percentage, or a percentage increase, or even a number. The government has to have some idea, if they’ve decided its a significant enough problem that they need to draft a law banning the practice. The rational given is to protect women, (which I’ve mentioned before, is totally the wrong way to go about protecting women) and the proposed law state that  “third parties who forced women to cover their faces in public would be fined and face up to 12 months in jail.” This seems like a good idea, as long as the accusation of being forced comes from the woman herself, and not, say, the neighbor – who sees a woman wearing one and assumes that she is forced.

I’m disapointed in the Guardian that the only person this article quotes in opposition to the ban is an Islamic organization, as that seems to portray opposing the ban as supporting extremism, or not supporting women’s rights, despite the fact that there are legitimate. non-religiously motivated reasons to feel uncomfortable with the government legislating what people can and cannot wear.

Muslim immigrants are not new to Europe, therefore, issues around women’s covering and/or public safety are not new, but have been more ore less ignored, and women have been more or less accommodated until recently. It is my belief that this law, like the ones in France, and Belgium, seems to be motivated not by a real concern for women’s well being, or by security issues, but by xenophobia, and a fear of the “other”.  is happening to Europe? The increase in xenophobic/anti-Muslim/anti-immigrant/far right ideology & attitudes is deeply troubling.

Oops, they’ve done it again….

First France, and now Belgium has banned the full face veil.

The article I read the other day didn’t give any explanation, but I’d be willing to bet that its got something to do with “saving the poor Muslim from the oppressive menfolk!”.

I wasn’t born yesterday – I know that women have been forced to wear the burqa or niqab – but that doesn’t mean that *all* women are forced to wear it. The burqa is extremely rare in western nations, and while the niqab is more common, if Belgium is anything like France, its worn by a minority of women. While some, even in our ‘modern’ society(s?) are forced, for others, its a choice they make.

Women who choose to wear either are going to feel discriminated against, and immigrants may be less likely to integrate fully into the society, as they view the government as being hostile/pursuing discriminatory practices.  I shouldn’t need to point out that women who are coerced into wearing either the niqab or burka won’t be helped by this legislation either. A man who insists a female family member cannot leave the house unless they are fully veiled is not going to change their mind simply because it is illegal. Instead, she will be unable to leave the house.  This legislation does nothing to help women who are victims of abuse – it does not prevent the abuse, whether physical or mental/emotional, from happening – all it does is push it out of sight.

Lastly, the government legislating what you can/cannot wear for any reason other than basic safety concerns (ie, you have to wear a helmet to ride a bike) is disturbing , and in my view, violates the basic principles we value in most democratic society – the rights of the individual,  the right to freedom of expression, freedom of thought, freedom of religion – and the right to choose your own wardrobe (:P OK, being cheeky there). Telling a woman that she must wear something IS oppression, but telling a woman that it is illegal to wear something (that doesn’t harm anyone else) is ALSO oppression.

The Saga of a Straight Man in Scotland

Yesterday, it came out that Gay Girl in Damascus, a blog supposedly written by Syrian-American, Lesbian activist Amina Arraf was, actually, entirely a work of fiction. The author of the blog is 40 year old Tom MacMaster, an  American studying at Edinburgh University.

Some people don’t think he’s done anything wrong. Some people don’t understand what all the fuss is about. He said himself he “didn’t expect this level of attention”.

His apology is not really an apology – instead, he tries to come up with excuses, if you’re offended by the fact he fabricated the entire thing, if you’re angry, its your fault, not his.

At one point in his apology, he claims that ever since he was young, he had ”  felt very connected to the cultures and peoples of the Middle East”. Ironically, instead of helping those he claims to feel connected to, its highly likely he has put others at risk. He’s drawn attention to the LGBT community within Syria, a community that didn’t want publicity (for articles on this, click the following link) (straightguyinedinburgh.tumblr.com). He may also have put those advocating for democracy at risk

He may have been pretending to be an Arab-American, openly lesbian woman from Damascus, but at the end of the day, he’s a middle class white man, blogging with no risk to himself or his family.

How will this hoax, impact how we look at other blogs/un-official news sources (such as twitter, blogs, or facebook posts) from individuals claiming to be in the middle east?  Unfortunately, I think this will impact how we view news sources like this in the future, which is unfortunate, because for many people who are legitimately living in fear for their safety, blogs, and social networking sites are one of the few ways they can get their stories out?

Sex sells – yes, even for organ donation

I realize there is no point in having a blog unless I’m going to update it regularly – and I haven’t done a very good job of doing that/

The other day on the bus, I saw an ad for the BC organ donor organization. I wouldn’t have noticed it, except for the photograph beside the text encouraging people to become organ donors. The picture is here – on their website http://www.transplant.bc.ca/index.asp. I Although its not explicitly sexual, the way the woman is posed is somewhat suggestive.

My friend asked me if I would be claiming that if it was a man in either photograph. To be honest, I don’t know – I suppose it would depend on the pose. That raises an interesting question though – why use a woman? Why didn’t they use a man in their ad campaign?

Could it have something do to with the fact that a partially naked woman, posed somewhat suggestively, is more likely to get the attention of their target audience – young people (who are less likely to register) – than a man on the poster?

Memo to the Menfolk

You do not have the right to judge a woman based on what she is wearing.
You do not have the right to call a woman a slut, a whore, or easy because of what she is wearing.
Just because a woman is wearing `revealing` clothing does not mean she wants to sleep with you, nor does it say anything about her character.
A woman in a bar who ignores you is not playing `hard to get`- (see above statement) She`s just not that into you. Fuck off. harassment is not sexy.
Similarly Do not assume that a woman who chooses to dress modestly, a woman who chooses to cover her hair (for whatever reason), is automatically oppressed.
Do not assume that all Muslim women are automatically oppressed, and are in abusive relationships. controlling and abusive men exist across all socioeconomic, racial, religious, and cultural lines.
Do not judge a woman for *not* wearing a mini-skirt, short shorts, tube top, or what have you. She is not automatically fashion challenged, she should not feel forced to wear something that makes her uncomfortable
So, In conclusion
It is NEVER acceptable to judge a woman (or a man, but this post is about women) on what she wears, whether its short shorts, tight jeans, cleavage revealing shirts, or skirts, long shirts, and head coverings. It is none of your business, and it is NEVER acceptable to harass a woman based on what she is wearing, no matter what it is.

Welcome – An introduction, an explanation

Welcome to my blog – however you got here.

I’m Kat, a twenty-something university student, majoring in Political Science, minoring in Women’s Studies (although that may change). My area of interest is nation building and politics, and more specifically, how women are included and/or excluded from this area (whether it is intentional, or unintentional). I am also interested in how women have been affected by neocolonialism, war, and violence.

I created this as a space to write about feminism(s), and current issues relating to women’s rights, gender equality, and oppression.  This is separate from my personal journal and my music blog, partially because I don’t think those who read my personal journal or music blog particularly want to read about feminism/gender & societal issues, and people who might want to read my blog on feminism/gender & societal issues may not want to read about music, and probably don’t care about my private life.

Disclaimer- I do no claim to know everything. In fact, there are many, many things that I do not know or understand. Furthermore, I recognize that as a Canadian, middle class, white woman, who has access to a university education, there are certain things I am unable to understand, no matter how hard I try (and I may try)

If I offend someone, or if you disagree with me, please let me know, preferably as nicely as possible. Personal attacks or threats are NOT acceptable. (whether you are commenting on the original post, or on someone else’s comment). I guess thats pretty much it for now.

(If you want to share this link, please post a comment or something. Just so I know)