Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Let's not get stressed about the clothes people wear

In response to the Parti Quebecois' proposal to ban religiously inspired clothing and ornaments from public spaces. 

I have never been terribly affected by the clothes people wear, I hardly even notice a cross or turban any more than piercings or tattoos affect me. Exceptions are a T-Shirt or tattoo with offensive writing or clothing that is so revealing it makes me feel like I'm leering just because my eyes are open. But I'm not sure how to know whether a head scarf or cross is worn for religious reasons, as a fashion statement or just to keep mom and dad happy. And does it mean that someone is a fundamentalist or progressive in their religious views? When I encountered a nun or priest in their full length gowns as a child it had the opposite reaction that perhaps they intended, I certainly never wanted to feel so constrained by my habits (in both senses) when I grew up.

I do know, however, that Jim Keegstra wore normal clothes, clothes that reflected western secular values, if clothes can do that, when he taught his children in Alberta that nobody died in the Nazi holocaust -- no Jews, no gypsies, no socialists, no communists, no mentally 'deficient'. It seems that he was capable of being hateful and racist without the help of clothing, just as I'm sure teachers can stick to the syllabus, and government officials can stick to public service, whether wearing a miniskirt with a cross around their neck, a Sikh turban and kirpan, or a hijab.

Published in the Calgary Herald, September 25, 2013.