Letters to the Editor

The veil vs. French values A Muslim woman is denied citizenship -- some say because she wears the niqab. Tracy Clark-Flory [2008-07-23]

• Clearly there is a limit to how far we allow people to go in choosing their own oppression

  Suppose a woman stated that she wanted to have her clitoris removed, and when told that no physician would perform the act, insisted that it was her choice.

  Suppose she were raped, and then asked her that her husband or father or brothers be allowed to kill her to preserve the family honor.

  Suppose a black person asked to be whipped for disobedience to an employer.

  Suppose an American Indian asked to be given a smallpox-infested blanket.

  Suppose a Jew asked to be gassed.

  Etc. In every one of these cases, any civilized society would of course say not only no, but hell no. Some acts are simply repugnant, and no amount of respect for the principle of freedom of choice will allow them. Does wearing the niqab fall into that category? I really don't know. It's clearly less severe than any of the above, but it's still clearly a big deal to a lot of people.

  -- Daniel Dvorkin
  [Read Daniel Dvorkin's other letters]
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