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Modesty in dress has real value for women

Date published: 9/28/2008

In the Sept. 7 article titled "Cover-up: Of Muslim women and Western fashion," Naomi Wolf states that we as a nation need to understand that the Islamic way of dressing is not intended to suppress sexuality, but to embody "a strongly developed sense of its appropriate channeling--toward marriage and the bonds that sustain family life."

I admit I used to be one of the people who looked away awkwardly when approaching a Muslim woman dressed in veils. Because to this veiled woman, who was I? A promiscuous hellion raising chaos in my arm-baring shirts, that's who.

After all, what could a conservative woman covered, quite literally, from head to toe have in common with me?

After reading Wolf's article, I understand that it's this kind of attitude that has led people astray, and I thoroughly agree with Wolf when she says we must get over our "Islamophobia."

We have to start accepting women's veils or chadors, not as a symbol of oppression, but as a representation of culture and choice.

To say wearing more revealing clothing represents freedom is ridiculous, especially when a woman might choose to dress more conservatively to feel comfortable.

Muslim women declare that their chadors liberate them from "intrusive Western stares."

With young women in our nation shamelessly flaunting themselves these days, it leaves little to the imagination--which, as Wolf says, actually reduces libido in men.

So while covering up may symbolize culture or religion for Muslims, maybe a modicum of modesty for us Western gals wouldn't be such a bad idea, either.

Stephanie Floyd

Spotsylvania



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Date published: 9/28/2008


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I appreciate your mature, open minded thoughts! (posted by souper_woman , Oct. 1, 2008 9:48 am)   
Having traveled the world and been in international corporate business for more than 15 years, I appreciate your open-minded thoughts! Cultural conditioning is something we all are victims of and it is refreshing to read thoughts that are not judgemental but rather focused on trying to understand a culture from the inside out. We as Americans should pride ourselves on accepting diversity and learning from each other. Though I'm confortable in my jeans, I appreciate that Naomi is comfortable in her cover-up

Naomi nonsense (posted by GeoffP , Sep. 30, 2008 6:38 pm)   
So Naomi thinks that the hijab is just another cultural expression of choice. I wonder if she feels that way about, say, pay equity and glass ceilings? Those could be argued with a cultural basis too. In places like Saudi Arabia and just about anywhere else radical islamists dig in, it's hardly a choice, Naomi. Let's not be silly, ok? A poem: Naomi Wolf, Wolf, Wolf Put her freedom on a shelf, shelf, shelf But when it got too hot, hot, hot She put it back herself :D GeoffP

Couldn't agree more (posted by Dominic , Sep. 30, 2008 8:05 am)   
And we should also take up female genital mutilation as well. Think of all the problems that would solve for those silly western women who foolishly think they're free...

where the hijab goes (posted by Tamerlane , Sep. 30, 2008 7:14 am)   
female genital mutilation, arranged marriages and honor killing may not be far behind. That's liberation too, for true believers, may Peanut Butter be Upon Them.

I'm fairly sure women have to dress that way (posted by pinkphantom , Sep. 28, 2008 11:32 am)   
to be good Islamic women. I'm so glad I don't have to walk around like that (especially in the summer!) I realize cultures should be respected to some degree, but when there's no choice, it's hardly a tradition worth keeping. Give me my blue jeans any day!!!!!

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