Dec
09
2007
I was originally going to write about the fact that someone found my blog by searching “wearing glasses over a burka.” I figured this blog came up in the search engine results because of the commentary I posted on Abelina Galustian and the references I’ve made regarding the series of paintings I’m creating called Girls that Wear Glasses. But then I came across a post on The Huffington Post called Islamic Like Me: Does This Burka Make Me Look Fat? where the blogger decides to wear a burka for a week and document her experience. I decided to blog about that instead.
When I heard the premise for her “experiment” I quickly became uncomfortable. As I read her thoughts, I became even more so.
First, the part of the title that reads “Does This Burka Make Me Look Fat?” pissed me off. Um, no. It doesn’t make you look fat. The burka you had on was all black. We all know that black is slimming. But that isn’t why I’m critical of the title.When I read her post, it seemed that title had nothing to do with the content she wrote about. It felt as though she heard “does this burka make me look fat” delivered as a punch line by a slightly overweight, balding pretentious asshole at a high society cocktail party and couldn’t wait for the opportunity to use it herself.
She then points out that she had trouble walking when wearing the burka. I rolled my eyes when I read that part. You see, I’m a tomboy. Not the Rosie O’Donnell kind, but more like Laura Ingalls type. One day I put on Lee Press On Nails for a wedding I was attending that evening and found it difficult to type and pick up items. While talking with a friend, I asked her how she can function with long fingernails. Correctly so, she pointed out that she’s used to them because she dons real fingernails everyday - unlike me who put on fake fingernails for one occasion. On a side note, she also took time during our conversation to let me know that Lee Press On Nails are a fashion “don’t.” So, when I read that the Huffingpost blogger had difficulty with the burka, I was reminded of the conversation I had with my friend. The fact that the blogger had a hard time was a “duh” moment.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m against the burka. I realize that isn’t politically correct, but there you have it. I am. If it makes you feel any better, I believe all religions, yes all, are dangerous when they attempt, and especially when they succeed, in suppressing critical/independent thinking.
What bothered me the most about the blogger and her “experiment” is that I don’t understand her purpose. She has written part three, which I will read once I post this, and tomorrow she’ll post part four. Maybe by the time I have read all her posts, I will begin to understand her motive.
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I was originally going to write about the fact that someone found my blog by searching “wearing glasses over a burka.” I figured this blog came up in the search engine results because of the commentary I posted on Abelina Galustian and the references I’ve made regarding the series of paintings I’m creating called Girls that Wear Glasses. But then I came across a post on The Huffington Post called Islamic Like Me: Does This Burka Make Me Look Fat? where the blogger decides to wear a burka for a week and document her experience. I decided to blog about that instead. 
I do not like the idea of the Burka at all.. Every woman no matter the dimensions has a certain beauty that needs to be flaunted. And I say trash the Burka and shake what your momma gave ya.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m against the burka. I realize that isn’t politically correct, but there you have it. I am. If it makes you feel any better, I believe all religions, yes all, are dangerous when they attempt, and especially when they succeed, in suppressing critical/independent thinking.
What bothered me the most about the blogger and her “experiment” is that I don’t understand her purpose.
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A couple of thoughts; who decides what critical/independent thinking is? A path of enlightenment does not necessarily follow *your* path; best to leave it up to the individual to judge for themselves whats best for them. Incidentally, critical thinking isn’t necessarily the best when all it does is attack; constructive criticism (solution oriented criticism) is generally more positive; additionally *too* much independence can be worse. Something I admire about cultures that have been around for long stretches (measured in aeons), is that they take into account the society they live in when they consider those solutions. Too often independence is merely rebellion against the status quo; and rebellion sans reason or merit is a wasted process. Now mind you, i write these things both as a highly critical thinker, and a severe individualist. Sometimes both ways are correct, and its best to merge the two using moderation.
Lastly, I would posit genuine curiousity for the motive, if nothing else it is hard to condemn something without having tried it (in my opinion, and excluding life/death/maiming injuries). Sometimes you have to walk a mile in someone elses shoes to understand their viewpoint, or better yet, broaden your horizons. There are reasons for the burka, as there are reasons against it — the fact that you don’t understand why some women choose to wear it shouldn’t necessarily pit you against it — after all, is anyone really forcing you to wear a burka? You may dislike it, you may dislike what (in your opinion) it represents, but I think the fault there lies in you needing to condemn that which you do not understand, and have no desire to. If that be the case, then my words have likely fallen on deaf ears — though I hope I may have given you some food for thought. Send a response if you like to my email
I love entertaining different viewpoints.
“A couple of thoughts; who decides what critical/independent thinking is?”
Quite simply. Me. It’s my blog and my thoughts.
As far as the rest of your comments, the following is on target: “If that be the case, then my words have likely fallen on deaf ears there isn’t really too much to say…”
We don’t agree. It’s not the end of the world.