Thursday, October 12, 2006

Symbolism of the Veil

That the veil "disturbs" British politicians is proof that Islam isn't going to fizzle away anytime soon. Instead, it's adapting itself to modernity by imposing a powerful symbolic language on a society whose wealth and power have rendered it spoiled and apathetic. Like the hidden goddesses of the ancient world, a veiled woman attention simply by being there because she proclaims her feminine mystique - her status as something Unknowable and Secret.

4 comments:

Mac said...

It's a paradox. And don't forget that veils are, well, strangely sexy. Or at least they *can* be (witness the popularity of belly dancing) when they're not being used to turn women into humanless drones.

Unknown said...

Yes, as has been said, I think it means something quite different to me. I'm disturbed by the subjugation of women, there's no mystery about it. That such behavior is still acceptable in their society is a testament to what brutal punishment for moral infractions can do to a society... keep them, literally, in the dark ages.

Lee Hamilton said...

Jack Straw (the British politician) was making a valid point, and was sensibly careful in the way he made it. Ultimately, the veil is a barrier to 'community' and to interpersonal relations. Sure, as a conceptualized image the veiled woman is intrigueing and always will be...but the social and personal reality of that image is something else entirely. These women are being dehumanized and defaced in the public sphere. It's right to shine a critical light on the subject, although I don't support any sort of mandatory ban.

Mac said...

Unless all women are veiled, guarded and hidden away, like externalized organ sacks. Then they're kind of disgusting.

Absolutely.