Title The politics of the veil / Joan Wallach Scott

Published Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, ©2007

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Description 1 online resource (xii, 208 pages) : illustrations Series The public square book series Public square (Princeton, N.J.) Contents The headscarf controversies -- Racism -- Secularism -- Individualism -- Sexuality Summary "In 2004, the French government instituted a ban on the wearing of "conspicuous signs" of religious affiliation in public schools. Though the ban applies to everyone, it is aimed at Muslim girls wearing headscarves. Proponents of the law insist it upholds France's values of secular liberalism and regard the headscarf as symbolic of Islam's resistance to modernity. The Politics of the Veil is an explosive refutation of this view, one that bears important implications for us all. Joan Wallach Scott, the renowned pioneer of gender studies, argues that the law is symptomatic of France's failure to integrate its former colonial subjects as full citizens. She examines the long history of racism behind the law as well as the ideological barriers thrown up against Muslim assimilation. She emphasizes the conflicting approaches to sexuality that lie at the heart of the debate--how French supporters of the ban view sexual openness as the standard for normalcy, emancipation, and individuality, and the sexual modesty implicit in the headscarf as proof that Muslims can never become fully French. Scott maintains that the law, far from reconciling religious and ethnic differences, only exacerbates them. She shows how the insistence on homogeneity is no longer feasible for France--or the West in general--and how it creates the very "clash of civilizations" said to be at the root of these tensions. The Politics of the Veil calls for a new vision of community where common ground is found amid our differences, and where the embracing of diversity--not its suppression--is recognized as the best path to social harmony"--Http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0834/2007013953-d.html Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 185-197) and index Notes Print version record Subject Muslims -- France. Islamophobia -- France Racism -- France Hijab (Islamic clothing) -- Law and legislation -- France Muslims -- Cultural assimilation -- France Secularism -- France Culture conflict -- France Islam and politics -- France SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Discrimination & Race Relations. HISTORY -- Europe -- France. Culture conflict Hijab (Islamic clothing) -- Law and legislation Islam and politics Islamophobia Muslims Muslims -- Cultural assimilation Racism Secularism Islambild Rassismus Islam. Sluiers. Recht. Rassendiscriminatie. Muslimer -- Frankrike. Islamofobi -- Frankrike. Rasism -- Frankrike. Hijab (islamisk klädedräkt) -- juridik och lagstiftning. Muslimer -- kulturell assimilation -- Frankrike. Sekularism -- Frankrike. Kulturkonflikter -- Frankrike. France Frankreich Frankrijk. Form Electronic book ISBN 9781400827893 1400827892 9786612157776 6612157771

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