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Faux feminism: France's veil ban as orientalism
Magazine Title | Journal of International Women's Studies |
Volume | 15 |
Magazine Year | 2014 |
Magazine Number | 2 |
Pages | p.46-60 |
Language | English/Engels |
Description | In the early months of 2010, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Parliament that the burqa is “not welcome” in France, citing this as a step to defend France against extremists. Employing Edward Said’s theoretical notion of “Orientalism” as means of discussing the “Other,” I argue for a more critical look at France’s role in limiting religious freedom and denying notions of female agency. More specifically, I urge a more diversified view of feminism and female identity outside of the Western paradigm. By viewing the veil as a rhetorically universal symbol of oppression, Western feminists and political figures are missing the opportunity to recognize the diversity of religious adherence and feminist agency that exist in a variety of forms, some of which are highlighted in this paper. While touting the ban’s role in promoting gender equality, Sarkozy employs “faux feminism”– a specious appropriation of feminist sentiment to rationalize Orientalist aims. In effect, this approach reifies Muslim women as victims in need of Western“ heroes” while promoting a unique form of sexist Islamophobia.' |
External Link | https://file://///DB01EQAAMS/Adlib/Adlib%20Database/e-zines/IAV_606411/IAV_606411_2014_15_2/index-4.htm |
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https://hdl.handle.net/11653/art234399