I believe that if she is willing to remove the veil in front of children, then I don't see what the big deal is. I hardly doubt it is necessary for her to reveal her face infront of a male colleague, however, I believe that is a risk she runs if she wants to teach. A male colleague may walk into the room, ...in which case tough cookies, ...however, ...I can see it being viewed as similar to a male colleague walking into a female dressing room. It can lead to all sorts of complications and counter-productive situations.
I'm not for making the veil illegal. While I consider it repressive, ...I know for many women especially those living in Western societies, it IS a personal choice. To call it a form of slavery... nah, ...in countries where it is mandated yes it is a form of slavery and oppression of women, ...however those who choose it freely have the right to that choice.
Just as the western woman who adheres to the notion that it is inappropriate to ever correct a man, or to best him in any way... so too are they slaves to a different sort of historical oppression, ...and who are we to demand a woman not throw a game of chess in order to blast some outmoded myth. We see it all the time, our culture dictates that women play nice, suck up to, and defer to men...and many of us do it. How is that NOT another form of cultural repression of women? C'mon DeeDee, don't tell me you haven't been there? Defered to a man, let him walk away thinking he's so smart, ...while laughing under yourbreath the whole time? I say let each woman have her choice. Just like stay at home moms shouldn't have the right to dictate women not be allowed into the workforce, so to should career women not look down on those who choose otherwise for themselves, ...and we cannot dictate a woman reveal her body parts to strangers, even if we ourselfs consider those body parts to be benign.
And what I find most offensive about the article was the last sentence that Deisel thoughtfully chose to omit:
The Prime Minister said the headwear was a "mark of separation" which makes people of other ethnic backgrounds feel uncomfortable.
That's simply the height of arrogance imo. I'm sure many who wear the veil are uncomfortable if not downright scandalized by the Britney Spears & Baby Spice wannabees who run around with their buttocks hanging out, midriffs bared, and bellybutton rings, ...but who the F are they to say anything about it? Personal freedom without infringing on or imposing upon another is the ideal I endorse.
Who knows, over time she may have developed a level of comfort and familiarity with her colleagues to such an extent that having them see her face woould no longer be an issue, ...but I doubt we're gonna find that out now since she's gone.
