Roger L. Simon: Laura Bush: Wearing the Symbols of Oppression

When I first saw the photograph of Laura Bush in a Saudi abaya, I didn't want to look at it. Like a lot of people, whatever mixed feelings I have about her husband, I had always admired Mrs. Bush for a kind of earthy honesty. So I was more disappointed when I saw her wearing the symbols of oppression (abaya and veil) than I was, say, when I saw Hillary Clinton embracing hideous Suha Arafat. I guess I don't expect much of politicians. [Why then politicians wives?-ed. Don't know.]

Now I realize Laura Bush was in Saudi Arabia doing the good deed of promoting breast cancer awareness in a society where that is, to put it mildly, lacking, and that the abaya was presented to her by one of the women and that she probably put it on out of good manners.

But I wonder to what extent this was all planned by the Saudis. As has been publicized, Laura had not been expecting to don a headscarf:

"They do not expect nor encourage it," of Western visitors at official meetings, said Bush's spokeswoman, Sally McDonough. "As members of the official traveling party, we will not need to wear any head scarves or abayas at any point."

Nevertheless, she did. Was she tricked into it? This is no small matter. The suppression of women's rights is at the root of Wahhabi Islam. It is the major pathology of our times and seems to be growing. It would have taken some courage, maybe a kind of rudeness anathema to her, for Laura Bush to have said "no" to the abaya... but she should have.

Comments

Comments require registration through TypeKey. Abusive remarks may be deleted. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Roger Simon.

I think you got this right, Roger. I'm not going to condemn Mrs. Bush who is a good person. But it's very likely she was tricked by our "friends", the Saudis.

I believe the basic problem that goes from the top to the bottom of the Bush administration (and including his wife) is the complete lack of depth in their thinking.

Deep analysis of nearly anything is impossible for these folks, whether it's "looking into Putin's eyes" or just accepting and wearing an Abaya.

It's just Deedeedee (apologies to those who despise Mencia), skipping through life with their faith to provide everything and no need to think too hard about anything.

It's sad and frightening that they have been doing this for so long and there are still people in the US that haven't realized this is NOT the way to run a country, that things aren't just fine, that Bush is destroying the fundamentals of Liberty and is ruining our already tattered reputation worldwide.

On the other hand, in this instance, politeness is a disaster. Laura Bush should know that.

Obviously the 50s headscarf/convertible look, made famous by such sultry stars as Ann Margaret and Grace Kelly, would unduly suffer in the politically intolerant frenzy of today.

I for one just can't get all a'twitter about Laura Bush, or even Pelosi, in a head scarf. I certainly would consider a burka a sign of oppression. But a mere headscarf? IMHO, much ado about nothing.

It just takes me back to childhood days when my Mother would take us to a Catholic Mass instead of our usual-but-occasional Methodist sermons. Hats were in order on that day. It was, she said, a "sign of respect", not a mandate, for their different ways.

Hatred and fear of women is the default mode of our species. I am sickened that Laura Bush appeased the oil-empowered men whose hatred and fear of women is yet one more example of how pathetic most of our fellow homo sapiens really are.

A JIHADIST HOME WHICH TEACHES CHILDREN THAT IT'S OKAY TO BEAT MOTHER AND TO MURDER SISTER IF SHE DISHONORS THE FAMILY (BY REFUSING TO MARRY A FIRST COUSIN, FOR EXAMPLE) OF COURSE CONCOMITANTLY TEACHES THAT IT'S OKAY TO COMMIT GENOCIDE AGAINST INFIDELS.

NATIONS WHICH PERMIT IT SHOULD BE BANNED FROM ALL MUTI-LATERAL ORGANIZATIONS AND TREATIES AND FINANCING. THEY SHOULD BE SHUNNED.

George W. Bush is a politically correct whack job. Why would one expect his wife to be any different? I have long considered the current resident of the White House as the lesser of evils. Al Gore, Jr. and John Kerry would have been significantly worse choices. They are existentially incapable of combating the evils of dark skinned people. President Bush is only mildly politically correct next to them.

What the hell does skin color have to do with it, Thomson? Plenty of islamofascists are whiter than me and Roger - the genocidal mufti al-Husseini who founded the PLO had red hair and blue eyes. Meanwhile, have you checked out Louisiana's governor-elect lately?

URGENT…PLEASE HELP…. I CANNOT FROM HERE….. I AM BLOCKED ALL AROUND
FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI.

Skin color has much to do with the politically correct "elites" reluctance to combat the Islamic nihilists. The other important aspect is their dishonest pacifism. There are indeed Muslims who possess blue eyes and blond hair---but they are a very small percentage of the overall Islamic world population. Race is the unspoken third rail in our culture dialogue. Dark people are inherently supposed to be perceived as victims of Western imperialism. White guilt over past racial injustices prevents many from vigorously responding to terrorist behavior. They can, at best, only do so in a half-hearted manner. This is especially true for most citizens belonging to the Democratic Party. This is why I predict a disaster for our country if Hillary Clinton becomes our next Commander-in-Chief.

She was engaged in breast cancer advocacy, and probably thought that her message would have been more readily accepted by her intended audience if she showed that audience the RESPECT of wearing a head covering. By wearing the headscarve she is showing that she is on the same level as her guests. It is similar to her husband or any other gentile putting on a yalmuke at a synogogue.

That is what it was, a gift of a modesty scarf, which she graciously agreed to wear. She received the gift on a trip the Middle East to talk about breast cancer. Breast cancer kills women, actually kills them. This was about saving lives, not fashion.

This whole thing is just ridiculous. I am a woman and I am a lot more offended by the silly knee jerk reaction of some people to something like this than I am to the mode of dress in the Arab world. I think the women of the region should have the option to wear whatever they want, and many of them do, but it was a woman who made this gift to the First Lady and anybody who makes an issue of something like this has too much time on their hands.

Considering the fact that you are here, and Laura Bush was the one doing the job of talking up awareness of a deadly disease that plagues the women of that region, I would say that is easy for you to say. Especially considering the fact that there is no indication she was doing anything remotely like appeasing oil rich women haters.

BTW, the women of that part of the world have been covering their heads for centuries before the Saudis came along or oil was discovered. Whether we approve of it or not, it is their tradition.

"Obviously the 50s headscarf/convertible look, made famous by such sultry stars as Ann Margaret and Grace Kelly, would unduly suffer in the politically intolerant frenzy of today."

Now I don't know what sultry movie stars and their fashion statements have to do with the plight of women in Saudi Arabia. And heaven knows Ann Margaret and Grace Kelly and you and me would surely suffer in the intolerant frenzy known as Saudi Arabia.

I'm willing to give Mrs. Bush some benefit here. She was there doing good work, so perhaps she saw it as a small compromise. Ultimately though I agree with Roger in that I would certainly admire a Western woman who had the courage to say "no".

This is a news blurb about what the First Lady was actually doing {instead of concentrating on appeasing pundits and political blogs}:

Laura Bush today swept into a country where breast cancer is such a taboo that it is often not prevented, treated, or publicly admitted—a high-profile woman trumpeting a pink-ribbon message where 70% of cases aren't reported until late stages. Though excellent care exists, many ignore "that disease" for fears ranging from dealing with male doctors to no one wanting to marry a patient's daughter. • "Her trip will make people ask, 'Why is she here? Is it that serious in this country?'" said a gynecologist diagnosed with the disease. Bush met with Saudi survivors of the disease who presented her with a black headscarf, decorated with pink ribbons.

"It is similar to her husband or any other gentile putting on a yalmuke at a synogogue."

Before they put the Palestinians into "boxcars", as you suggested? What a slimy, dishonest little antisemitic hypocrite you are.

Well, it's a start. Maybe next year child brides, dumping of wives, un reported rapes, religious persecution, liberty.

I'm a woman too, Terrye, and this issue is not at all silly to me. You wrote: "I think the women of the region should have the option to wear whatever they want, and many of them do." What region are you talking about? Women certainly do not have the option to wear whatever they want in SAUDI ARABIA.
And the reason that breast cancer is taboo in that country is the same reason that women are required to cover themselves. They are second class citizens subservient to men. To attempt to separate these issues is what is silly. Saudi women wouldn't be afraid to talk about breast cancer if they had equal rights. It's not the women in that country who need to hear from Laura Bush about breast cancer, it's the men. And she shouldn't show them "respect" by wearing a head covering, because it's not about respect in this instance, it's about submission.

"And she shouldn't show them "respect" by wearing a head covering, because it's not about respect in this instance, it's about submission."

Absolutely, Sheryl. It is very revealing to me when I visit our local amusement parks with my family. I see Muslim families, and the women are wearing head coverings and heavy clothing, looking very uncomfortable and foreign. Sometimes even young girls have head coverings. But the men are wearing casual American sports clothes!

Laura Bush and Pelosi, as a sign of respect for cultural traditions, opted to don a headscarf as a matter of personal choice. They were not victims of subjugation.

Therefore one can consider it an optional fashion statement, and in no way imtimates they ( or I) condone the oppression of women by Sharia law.... women who have no choice BUT to wear the head gear. If she wore the scarf to a Catholic mass, would you still be critical? Or is it just because she was surrounded by Muslims?

Personally I find it amazing that the mere wearing of a headscarf by choice nowadays can send so many into a political tizzy. There are much bigger fish to fry.

She could wear it however/whereever if she wants to (on her shoulder, around her mid-section, around her ankle for I care, anywhere but on her head) to show the "appreciation" of the gift.

Symbolism is everything to the mooslems and in that region. I don't think the everyday ME male on the street view the gesture as you and I (or LB) think it is.

I can imagine that headscarf gesture was "suggested" by the State Dept idiots, but later LB came out defending her action just showed she's not much better than those State Dept idiots.

What good is it to promote breast cancer awareness (supposedly to save lives) in a region never respect women in the first place, while giving in the submission of male oppressiveness?

You know, Gary, I was going to make the same analogy: that it was a matter of politeness and respect. Given that I have no problem wearing the kippah at my Mom's Temple, I don't think this analogy is an indication of antisemitism.

You have provided a lovely example though, the next times someone asks me what a "schmuck" is.

I don't think Mrs. Bush was wearing the abaya as an "optional fashion statement". To the Muslim women she was sitting with it was certainly neither optional nor a statement of fashion.

She was between a rock and a hard place. She could have made a bold political statement by not donning the headscarf or she could put the headscarf on and bestow a courtesy to the Wahhabists. She was aware of how things work in Saudi Arabia - she chose courtesy. I don't blame her for that and I'm not in a political tizzy. Diplomacy can get dicey. I just don't think that some of the more odious cultural traditions are worthy of respect or courtesy.

The abaya is just the most outward and visible symbol of the suppression that Saudi women live under. I don't think that we women in the west can truly understand what life is like for them. Here in America "the mere wearing of a headscarf" is possible. That's not the case in Saudi Arabia.

I would not say you were an antisemite for making this analogy even if I disagree with it, but perhaps you haven't seen the numerous posts in which "markus" has displayed his sophistry and his antisemitism. It was no accident that he used the religious customs of Jews in an attempt to justify Muslim oppression of women so I will not retract anything I said about him. If that makes me a "schmuck" in your eyes, so be it.

Gary, without getting all talmudic on you, I'd suggest that if it wasn't antisemitic of me to say it, it wasn't antisemitic for even Markus to say it. And I'm no fan of Markus, God knows.

But in the mean time, folks, consider Laura's options: she was presented with a scarf decorated with pink ribbons, explicitly to call out the need for Arab women to be aware of breast cancer, cultural taboo or no. She could choose to wear it, showing support for the women attempting to break out of the cultural taboo --- or she could choose not to wear it, in support of women who aren't breaking the cultural taboo.

Maybe you are right, Charlie, I don't know either. But frankly, in a culture like Saudi Arabia, it seems to me that the cultural taboo against female issues like breast cancer is imposed/enforced by men. Women are afraid to bring it up for obvious reasons. If Laura Bush wanted to show the Saudis respect by wearing the headscarf, I think she should also have asked to speak to a mixed group of people, men and women, about the subject. That would have empowered women and if the men came, she would have really done something to break down the taboo. If they wouldn't come, well... no point in putting on a headscarf.

October 26, 2007: Laura Bush: Wearing the Symbols of Oppression

Comments

Post a comment

Email This Post