Mr. Harper, you may have missed your true calling

[Oscar]

Mr. Harper, you may have missed your true calling

[ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-de ... e23446873/ ]

Tabatha Southey Special to The Globe and Mail

Published Friday, Mar. 13 2015, 11:53 AM EDT Last updated Friday, Mar. 13 2015, 12:09 PM EDT

‘We do not allow people to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies. Why would Canadians, contrary to our own values, embrace a practice at that time that is not transparent, that is not open and, frankly, is rooted in a culture that is anti-women?” asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and I wonder if this question is keeping him up at night.

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So, to answer your question, Prime Minister: Since there’s clearly no practical reason for not allowing the wearing of a veil, perhaps many Canadians, while not necessarily “embracing” the practice of attending a citizenship ceremony with their faces covered (we’re not an overly effusive people), are just okay with it.

It’s possible that a lot of Canadians consider it unseemly to demand that one tiny subset of soon-to-be-Canadians suffer something they may perceive as humiliation before we grant them citizenship. Maybe we’re uncomfortable with the notion that they must perform some ritual of supplication to prove to us how much they want to be here.

Perhaps some of us feel that what debases this solemn yet joyous occasion, what is “contrary to our own values” isn’t a strip of fabric – it’s a government turning our citizenship ceremony into a hazing ritual.

Ah, but the Prime Minister says, this no-veil thing isn’t about security; it’s a rejection of something that “is rooted in a culture that is anti-women.” This kind of predatory chivalry is familiar to most women. Long after the battle plans are drawn up, the anticipated spoils (in this case, votes and campaign-contribution plunder) are divided, we women will be told, when questions are asked, that the war is about us.

I say, your declaration is a slippery slope, Mr. Harper: If women didn’t wear clothes that were “rooted in a culture that is anti-women,” we’d be naked. You can argue that the veil isn’t a choice, that Muslim women wear the niqab only because of cultural pressure and family. These are the only reasons I wear clothes in August.

You can also say it’s not actually required by their faith – that it’s cultural. Well, then, clearly it’s an equally valid freedom-of-expression affair.

Look, I’m an atheist – all religious expression is cultural to me. It’s no business of mine if a person interprets the texts of her faith to mean she is required to wear a veil, a wimple, or crotchless panties. I’m not going to stand around saying anything less than triplicate stone tablets delivered in person from her deity invalidates her choice.

You can say you’re just helping the poor ladies out – that, all things being equal, you just know women would not choose to wear the veil. I’m not sure, but I’d love to find out. I say that, if this is truly your primary concern, let’s settle this thing.

Let’s work to ensure that women have all the choice and freedom in the world – both economic and otherwise. Let’s do that, and then see what it is they opt to wear. This will be fun. We could do this thing like a giant bar bet. I’m feeling reckless – I’ll take corduroy culottes and turtlenecks at 900,000 to 1.