Hmmm. I'm sure all those in the UK have heard about Jack Straw's comment regarding Muslim women and the veils (niqab) they wear. I'm sure most people may feel that he is being discriminatory, insensitive and all these other words used when you speak your mind out in public. But if you really think about it, is he really being that insensitive?
For those of you who may not know the story, read this article:
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1889173,00.html
Which is from the guardian website.
So let’s briefly look at the two points of view:
Side 1.
Question: Ladies, Jack Straw wants to know: What is under the veil?
Mr Straw claims that the niqab prevents personal contact between two individuals which can lead, on a larger scale, to increased segregation between religious communities. The niqab, therefore, has got to go! His aim is to maximise the amount of communication between different ‘groups’ as a whole. What he's really saying is: ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do’.
Side 2.
Answer: None of you business!
Some people (not just Muslims) believe that the Muslim communities are constantly under scrutiny and negative media coverage. Some believe that it is their choice and they should be able to wear what they want, after all, it is a free country (it’s debatable, I know!). They also believe that Straw’s comment was/is just another ploy to remain in the public eye.
So while Jack Straw is claiming that he isn’t being ‘prescriptive’ he is still saying, in essence, that they shouldn’t wear it. Like I said before, it’s a ‘free’ country and just as the Muslim women ought to have the choice to wear what they want, so too does Straw have the right to say what he wants…can I get an Amen?
Of course other MP’s are getting their 2 cents in, claiming that Straw was out of line etc etc..I mean, do you really expect other MP’s to agree with him? Of course not! Why would they damage their reputations? Strategically they want to go with the majority view, not against it. It takes a strong person to fight for what they believe in even if its against the majority and you don’t see much of that around.
The one that gets me though is a comment made by a MP in which he states that Straw should resign (always the best way out eh?) because he is effectively asking women to 'wear less'...oh my days, WHAT is that all about? Why should he resign because he spoke his mind? At the end of the day, everyone should be entitled to do what they want within reason and Straws reasoning behind his view is not completely random is it? On the other hand though, Muslim women also have a good point, they should be able to wear what they want when they want (again, within reason..but even that's controversial...what is 'within reason'?)
So basically, my opinion rests on both sides, I think both arguments are valid...I wonder how or if this situation will be resolved or just simply fade into the background once the 'attack the Muslim' phase is over.
For those of you who may not know the story, read this article:
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1889173,00.html
Which is from the guardian website.
So let’s briefly look at the two points of view:
Side 1.
Question: Ladies, Jack Straw wants to know: What is under the veil?
Mr Straw claims that the niqab prevents personal contact between two individuals which can lead, on a larger scale, to increased segregation between religious communities. The niqab, therefore, has got to go! His aim is to maximise the amount of communication between different ‘groups’ as a whole. What he's really saying is: ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do’.
Side 2.
Answer: None of you business!
Some people (not just Muslims) believe that the Muslim communities are constantly under scrutiny and negative media coverage. Some believe that it is their choice and they should be able to wear what they want, after all, it is a free country (it’s debatable, I know!). They also believe that Straw’s comment was/is just another ploy to remain in the public eye.
So while Jack Straw is claiming that he isn’t being ‘prescriptive’ he is still saying, in essence, that they shouldn’t wear it. Like I said before, it’s a ‘free’ country and just as the Muslim women ought to have the choice to wear what they want, so too does Straw have the right to say what he wants…can I get an Amen?
Of course other MP’s are getting their 2 cents in, claiming that Straw was out of line etc etc..I mean, do you really expect other MP’s to agree with him? Of course not! Why would they damage their reputations? Strategically they want to go with the majority view, not against it. It takes a strong person to fight for what they believe in even if its against the majority and you don’t see much of that around.
The one that gets me though is a comment made by a MP in which he states that Straw should resign (always the best way out eh?) because he is effectively asking women to 'wear less'...oh my days, WHAT is that all about? Why should he resign because he spoke his mind? At the end of the day, everyone should be entitled to do what they want within reason and Straws reasoning behind his view is not completely random is it? On the other hand though, Muslim women also have a good point, they should be able to wear what they want when they want (again, within reason..but even that's controversial...what is 'within reason'?)
So basically, my opinion rests on both sides, I think both arguments are valid...I wonder how or if this situation will be resolved or just simply fade into the background once the 'attack the Muslim' phase is over.
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