The Western Woman's Harem
Identity is not constructed only under one rule, that of sex, but also under categories such as race, ethnicity, class and sexuality. Ergo feminism needs to re-construct notions of equality based on the review of all categories undergoing identity, not only considering the sex of the person in question (in this case women). Therefore western feminists have to contextualize their practice, remaining self reflective as well as understanding of cultural, ethnic, sexual, (etc.) differences. This does not mean western feminists cannot talk about women from different cultures, it means they need to be aware of the context. People need to be able to reflect back and understand the personal differences existing within cultures, before they attempt to understand circumstances they have never experienced. Arguing that the veil is a form of submission towards male dominance (because of the stereotype-based assumption that Middle Eastern men prefer “their” women covered) is the same as saying: “Western men prefer ‘their’ women in a mini skirt and high heels”. Ultimately we see the veil as a foreign object, similarly as western people might see the mini skirt as foreign. Therefore stating that we were constructed to think in a way that ultimately satisfies a man can therefore be interpreted as offensive. Women have a choice when it comes to the clothes they wear. We are able to dress our bodies our own way. Social constructs are a large influence on our minds, but not dictations and enforcements upon our free will.
The Hijab and other various forms of veils in the Islamic world have become a concern to the western world. These veils are a “problem” because of the semiotics and constructs attached to their use. These symbols are paired with ideas of male dominance and oppression in the Islamic world that lead to veils being associated with misogyny. Due to this misunderstanding and stereotype, countries like France and Belgium are trying to create a ban that enforces Islamic women not to wear the veil. Therefore with this project I want to explore and understand why Westerners judge other customs under a hegemonic veil. Why can’t people understand that the “problem” with veiling is much more complex, and is rooted in more than a man’s decision to cover women, but on a choice, most of the time a woman’s choice. The problem therefore is not the veil, but the construction of its idea and who enforces such ideas. We judge under a different circumstance, therefore the veil is a cultural and personal based mask worn to either suggest religious beliefs and/or marks of identity. Masks are norms and social constructs worn either in a physical or abstract way to suggest who we are, where we come from, and what we believe in. Muslim women use veils, some of “us” use “mascara”. At the end of the day, these garments are just symbols of our behaviour, personalized to be outside markers, and nothing more.
In this project I photographed myself portraying social constructs regarding clothing: the veil from the Middle East, and a Western “common” attire to us (makeup). In this I suggest an abstract unveiling of hegemonic interpretations of identity markers: the mask of our thoughts. Therefore in these photographs, I wish to explain the feeling I get when talking about veils. It is hard for me to understand what Muslim women go through when choosing or being forced to wear this garment. The closest I can get to understanding something I haven't experienced is linking it to something I feel is similar in my world. In this case the masks that I wear everyday, such as make up. Therefore I ask, what is the big deal around the use of the veil? Western women have similar constraints around our everyday look and garments, sometimes even more terrifying than that of the veil. At least Muslim women wear theirs for their God. We wear ours to look “good”. Ultimately, I do choose to look the way I want (heavily influenced by years of media telling me what women should look like). Why is it so different from that of years of cultural and religious belief?
Mernissi, Fatema. Understanding Inequality. “Size 6: The Western Women’s Harem”Maryland 2007. Print.
The Hijab and other various forms of veils in the Islamic world have become a concern to the western world. These veils are a “problem” because of the semiotics and constructs attached to their use. These symbols are paired with ideas of male dominance and oppression in the Islamic world that lead to veils being associated with misogyny. Due to this misunderstanding and stereotype, countries like France and Belgium are trying to create a ban that enforces Islamic women not to wear the veil. Therefore with this project I want to explore and understand why Westerners judge other customs under a hegemonic veil. Why can’t people understand that the “problem” with veiling is much more complex, and is rooted in more than a man’s decision to cover women, but on a choice, most of the time a woman’s choice. The problem therefore is not the veil, but the construction of its idea and who enforces such ideas. We judge under a different circumstance, therefore the veil is a cultural and personal based mask worn to either suggest religious beliefs and/or marks of identity. Masks are norms and social constructs worn either in a physical or abstract way to suggest who we are, where we come from, and what we believe in. Muslim women use veils, some of “us” use “mascara”. At the end of the day, these garments are just symbols of our behaviour, personalized to be outside markers, and nothing more.
In this project I photographed myself portraying social constructs regarding clothing: the veil from the Middle East, and a Western “common” attire to us (makeup). In this I suggest an abstract unveiling of hegemonic interpretations of identity markers: the mask of our thoughts. Therefore in these photographs, I wish to explain the feeling I get when talking about veils. It is hard for me to understand what Muslim women go through when choosing or being forced to wear this garment. The closest I can get to understanding something I haven't experienced is linking it to something I feel is similar in my world. In this case the masks that I wear everyday, such as make up. Therefore I ask, what is the big deal around the use of the veil? Western women have similar constraints around our everyday look and garments, sometimes even more terrifying than that of the veil. At least Muslim women wear theirs for their God. We wear ours to look “good”. Ultimately, I do choose to look the way I want (heavily influenced by years of media telling me what women should look like). Why is it so different from that of years of cultural and religious belief?
Mernissi, Fatema. Understanding Inequality. “Size 6: The Western Women’s Harem”Maryland 2007. Print.
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