Last year, the French banned the headscarf, arguing that it conflicted with French values. Now, the French are proposing a ban on the burqa. Both of these bans are ostensibly supposed to promote women’s freedoms while protecting French values, but I believe that they do just the opposite, and I find them troubling and disturbing.

Such bans carry a racial tinge, because the burqa and other forms of hijab are associated with communities in the Middle East. (It’s not just Muslimahs who veil.) France has a very shaky record on racial issues and continuing racial problems, so I’m not quite sure how racist legislation is going to help them fix that. I also feel very strongly that religious freedom should be a French value, although the French appear to disagree, and that choosing to veil or wearing the veil does not infringe of the liberty, equality, and brotherhood of others.

In fact, banning the veil will explicitly restrict women’s rights in France even more, because many women may be forced to stay at home if they can’t veil outside. And not just forced by family members, which is the conclusion many people seem to be jumping to, but forced by their own values and beliefs. For women who genuinely believe that wearing the veil reflects modesty and good Muslim values, walking outside the house unveiled is unthinkable, and these women will either flout the ban to stay true to their beliefs, or be stuck inside for life. How is that liberty?

The criticism of the veil is that women are forced into wearing it by male family members, but it’s more complicated than that. Veiling is also a cultural decision, and part of a complex religious and ethnic heritage. One of the commenters on Feministe pointed out that for some women who wear the veil, veiling is like putting on a shirt before leaving the house; they are accustomed to it, and they would feel deeply uncomfortable without one. For them, banning burqas is equivalent to banning shirts for women, which I think most of us would agree would be pretty problematic.

I think that the burqa is being attacked as a symbol. If the French actually cared about women’s rights, they would be addressing issues like domestic violence and honor killings. Yet, they choose to fixate on garments which are worn as outward expressions of inward religious beliefs. Are the French afraid for the rights of their women, or are they uncomfortable with expressions of religion? Many people have a visceral response to veiling, viewing it as icky and offensive, but one could also argue that nudists/naturists are offended by clothing, and no one is seriously proposing a ban on clothing for the comfort of people who find clothing unpleasant to look at. If the veil is banned, should we also ban the wearing of modest Christian garments? The cross? The Star of David? Or is this really about targeting people of Middle Eastern descent to force them to assimilate?

The French argue that the veil is alienating, that they are banning the burqa to help people fit in. But is fitting in necessarily a good thing? Not that long ago, Native Americans were forced to attend government schools and they were physically punished for speaking their own languages. As a result, huge swaths of Native American heritage were lost forever, and cannot be reconstructed. Should governments be allowed to dismantle cultural traditions and values just because they conflict with “normal people,” prevent people from “fitting in,” or are personally repugnant?

Any personal messages you’d like delivered to the President?

With all the fuss over the peccadilloes of male politicians, one might reasonably be inclined to ask: where are all the unfaithful female politicians? (And, more importantly, in my opinion: why do we care about the sex lives of politicians?)

Speaking of the sexual adventures of American politicians, here’s an exhaustive lowdown on the investigation into Mayor Sam Adams!

Why is it that men who kill their partners and women who kill their partners are treated differently under the law?

Yesterday was the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which means, of course, that police in Texas felt obligated to get their own little piece of history by raiding a gay club. And the famous pink triangle which bedecks Twin Peaks was burned (probably) by a vandal. But there’s also a nice op-ed in the Times talking about gay rights. It’s nice to see the Grey Lady taking an interest in this issue.