Veiled Terrorism

During my first semester at Fredonia, I took a class called, Women Health and Society. One article that we read that I will always remember is, “Veiled Intentions”. It is about Muslim women that chose to veil (wear a headscarf). We have a stereotype, and so do other industrialized countries that the hijab is a symbol of terrorism. We also believe that the scarf is an oppressive tool and is forced on Muslim women by the men in Islamic culture. But it’s ironic that the same population that spends millions on beauty products, plastic surgery, and self-help guides is the same one that takes pity on veiled women for being helpless and oppressed. We learned that wearing a scarf removes being judged, of being assessed based on measurement, and absolves the need or desire to be wanted solely for looks. The scarf allows others to look at these women equally and not rank them on a scale. It allows people to relate to the women naturally and liked for who they are beyond the body. But most importantly, veiling makes it easier for women to get through the adolescent stages: deters self-loathing, body hang-ups and sexual harassment. I think that veiling could be one of the “politically correct feminist responses to cosmetic surgery”. I also think this method would be more effective and much better than mutilating oneself to be ugly.
Domalski