You know what women always say about men whose sense of "honor" depends upon oppressing women . . . It's not mentionable in polite company, but as we say, we women know what we know. (President News photo)
"Although the all-encompassing black chador remains the favored Islamic dress, it 'in no way can be imposed on the students,'" pronounced the Wizard-of-Ozoid Iranian powers that be in 2000. Now it appears that under the Second Coming of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (second from left in above photo), it may be time for all good women -- Muslim and infidel alike -- to hide the shame of their God-given bodies behind a drably colored veil. Here are some of the terms of debate -- when there still WAS a debate -- from 2000:
Under new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, schoolgirls through fifth grade will be allowed to wear "gay, light colors," including light blue, beige, pink, light green and yellow. Until now, only black, brown and navy blue were allowed.
"The use of light colors helps to create a cheerful atmosphere" and to "safeguard the mental health of students," the ministry directive stated. But "loud and gaudy colors" that are "not in harmony with the spirit of education" will not be allowed.
"Loud and gaudy colors that are 'not in harmony with the spirit of education' will not be allowed," said the Iranian powers that be way back in 2000. What's the matter with these men, anyway? Didn't Allah himself design these gals? Never mind.
The Ministry of Color Swatches. Channeling Martha Stewart, we declare "It is NOT a good thing." We are forever asking -- rhetorically -- how these petty, woman-oppressing men can live with themselves, but it is a story as old as time, with footprints writ in every religion, great and small. Psychologically weak men stomp on those they can by virtue not of their superior intellect or moral sense but their superior brute force -- women, children, animals. More fascinating facts from that 2000 Iranian brouhaha:
The color shift follows a campaign by Zahra Rahnavard, an artist who is president of Al Zahra University, a school for women, to allow girls and women of all ages to wear colorful clothing. "As an artist I believe colors are important," she told a seminar during Women's Week last fall. "Black is not the color of the revolution and bright colors are divine colors that do not have an anti-revolutionary meaning."
She has also claimed that osteoporosis has increased among women, even young women, because sunlight, which helps the body form Vitamin D, does not penetrate their dark clothing. Women in many parts of the countryside have always worn colorful clothing. Many dermatologists, meanwhile, complain that the rubbing of the head covering against the skin contributes to acne and rashes.
There is something that doesn't like Color Police. What do you think, Manolo?
It's a weird, weird species, and it will be interesting to watch the male-hating women of the women's liberation movement when they face the autocratic Muslim males who are only mean to women because of George W. Bush.
Posted by: goomp | May 21, 2006 at 02:14 PM