Sarkozy is right

When he says that the burka has no place in France anyway. Hooray for a politician who has the guts to stand up to those in religious authority intent of oppressing women. Wouldn't it be great if UK MP's had the same level of bravery.

When I see a woman wearing head to ground (longer than toe, these clothes drag along the ground slightly so there is no chance of a glimpse of ankle) black coverings, I don't feel scared, I feel sorry. On a simple level, it cannot be comfortable, especially in hot weather. In fact bearing in mind where the trend originated one wonders why white cloth isn't used to reflect heat, after all the menfolk get to wear light, loose fitting clothes....

The bigger issue is that the clothes represent, to me, control. I struggle to believe that anyone would want to hide themselves away like this while their husband walks around normally. If they do then I wonder what sort of education process has gone on in the past. If the culture says this is correct and little girls grow up believing it then there is something wrong with the culture. How must the daughters feel as they walk with Mum, often in normal clothes, to know that one day they too will be swathed in black and unable to show their face ?

One argument is that it's not subjugation but a form of freedom. Entirely covered, women are freed from the lascivious gaze of men. Men who would be unable to control their urges were they to see a female face. That's both rubbish and insulting to men, which is why I think it's a made up excuse by men to force the women to wear the cloth. Lets face it, in western society there are lots of women wearing skirts, showing ankles and faces yet the men manage to restrain themselves from leaping on all of them as they walk through the town.

No, to my mind this is about subjugation and possession. Women wearing burkas are "owned" by their husband and certainly appear completely powerless. Muslims are very keen to say that women were granted equality (apart from the right to be an MP, lead religious ceremonies etc.) long before western societies did the same. Really ? So where are the man burkas ?

Of course I may be wrong - feel free to berate me in the comments section. I really would like to hear another point of view on this.

And yes I know western women feel the need to wear impractical and uncomfortable clothes too due to cultural pressure but it's in no way compulsory.