The previous day, she’d attempted to use the facilities but was stopped by swimming pool staff because her long-sleeved, head-to-toe outfit (though made of Lycra and other synthetic material like most other bathing suits) was deemed “inappropriate” and potentially “unsanitary”. What a bunch of hokum, right? Unfortunately my wild imagination (though I was blessed with one) did not invent this scenario. A Parisian swimming pool recently banned a woman dressed in a “burqini”, the ingenious solution to many Muslim women’s struggle to find a modest enough bathing suit that allows them the convenience of cooling off in a public swimming pool on a sweltering summer day—because everyone should be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer, right?

Apparently, France doesn’t think so. Earlier this month, President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that, “…the burka - a garment covering women from head to toe - reduced them to servitude and undermined their dignity, “ (BBC). Excuse me? Who are you to tell me that my choosing to wear a burka, or any other type of clothing for that matter is a deduction that I am oppressed or enslaved? This is similar to the argument that women who choose to wear revealing clothing are responsible for the possible consequence of sexual harassment—however, I don’t see anybody banning mini skirts or tight jeans. While I agree with his personal views regarding the burqa (it is not a religious thing, it is a cultural thing popular in places like Afghanistan and North Western Pakistan), I don’t believe he should use them to impose a law on his people and prevent those who want to wear the burqa for personal reasons, whatever they may be, from doing so. I would like to point out that the Parisian woman, CAROLE, is a convert and her new religion is something she CHOSE for herself. Monsieur Président, with all due respect, I do not feel that it is in your best interest to comment on the clothing of your citizens—it is not a sartorial position that you hold. If you wanted to head down that path, perhaps you should have taken on your wife’s career. It is not only discriminatory of you (choosing to base an entire speech on burkas…why not focus on low rise jeans, or tube tops for a change?) to voice your personal biases by attempting to make them French law, but it is also of misogynist nature—feeling the need to infringe upon a woman’s choice. Should you actually prove that these are not choices, but they are garments imposed on these women, I stand with you every step of the way to ensure these women's "freedom". Similar to how some people believe that abortion is a woman’s choice, I believe the same rule applies to religion and practice of that religion.

On a similar tangent, since when were dress codes enforced on such a wide scale? Some people are choosing to bring the 80s back and some people want to bring modesty back—nothing wrong with that.

Let’s imagine another scene. This time, a group of mothers and young girls are splashing around in a swimming pool—some are practicing their backstrokes in the lane area. It is 90 degrees outside, but they do not feel the heat effects because they are taking advantage of the cool water. They are wearing brightly colored long leggings and long- sleeved Lycra tops because they want to feel comfortable in applying their religion, one that promotes modesty, in their daily activities—hence the non-traditional bathing suits. I didn’t make this one up either, folks, it’s common in the wonderful US of A. In fact, I was at my local gym last week, and saw a whole family of hijabis enjoying the swimming pool without anyone around paying them any attention—it made me smile. Our waters are just as sanitary as they were before people started swimming dressed in long bathing suits—France, you can even come check.

France, your act is over. You present yourself as a liberal, freethinking place. However, liberalism is a multi-faceted thing, mes amis (remember liberté, égalité,fraternité?), not something that is only displayed through allowing questionable content on TV during daylight hours. While freedom of the media is wonderful and all, ensuring your citizens’ sense of comfort and equality is just as great. You cannot expect me to stand by and believe that this is not an act of discrimination. You say everyone is “free and equal” in your country, yet you create rules that target certain groups. This entire situation reminds me of black Americans during the antebellum period—they were often disenfranchised because of sneaky laws such as the poll tax and reading tests that were knowingly implemented to do just that. It’s the equivalent of saying, “Sure, you’re free now. You just can’t vote.” In the French case, it would be “Sure, your passport says you’re French like us, but you can’t wear that oppressive thing if you want your status to last.” Whoever said “Muslim is the new black” was right. Americans today are not proud of this past history, and you, France, do not want your legacy to include (along with smelly cheese and American superiority) modern day discrimination.

I personally do not wear any religious (or cultural) covering, but as a Muslim who stands in support of her sisters, and as a citizen of the world, I ask this of everyone: how are we going to advance towards human solidarity and successful discourse if we carp over the silliest things such as bathing suits?

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