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In reply to the discussion: I do not need... Eurocentric feminists to dictate to me what I wear or shouldn't wear. [View all]Prism
(5,815 posts)These women are coming from a cultural heritage where their modesty was strictly enforced by men. Now, they can choose however they like, but let us not lie to ourselves about the fact they are speaking from a place of patriarchal heritage.
Femen, on the other hand, is coming from a purely pro-woman perspective, casting off all attempts at male control and using their naked bodies as powerful symbols to achieve that end.
And when resting those two perspectives side by side, the feminist impulse should be to side with the remnants of brutal, woman-dominating patriarchy?
No. Just, no. And this argument and position would never ever fly, not for one instant, if we replaced Islam with American fundamentalist Christianity. Hell, Carrie Underwood can't even say she would leave her job if her husband asked without condemnation or tut tutting around here.
But defend patriarchal Islamic standards? That's as pro-woman as it gets!
All this ideological contortion and hypocrisy, and for what? Because men seeing boobs cannot be borne.
This is the kind of luxury feminism that is only ever promoted by incredibly comfortable Westerners, where people can possess whatever inconsequential idea they wish, because it affects their lives not in the least.