Throughout the debate over banning the veil in France, those in support of the ban generally saw the veil as representing "the subordination of women, their humiliation, and their inequality." (Scott 2007, p. 153) However, if a veil is worn by choice, then how can we consider it to represent subordination and inequality? Further, Scott suggests that "...uncovered bodies are no more a guarantee of equality than covered ones." (2007, p. 156)
Liberty has has many different meanings in different places and at different times. It is necessary to remember that "...what is plausibly liberatory in one context is clearly repressive in another." (Asad 2009, p. 26) In the case of Saudi Arabia where according to Chesler, "...no Saudi woman dares appear open-faced in public" (2010, p. 39) then her garments may come to represent subordination and inequality. Perhaps in those specific situations, the ban would be a viable way to address oppression. However if a woman in France (or anywhere for that matter) who has autonomously chosen to wear a veil is told that legally she must take it off, then couldn't that also be viewed as a kind of oppression? After all, the choice is being taken away from her.
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