Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies
Identity Politics and its Discontents: Muslim Women Bodies and the Veil
Description
Identity politics often overlook the political nature of the body and instead focus themselves on issues of ethnicity/race. However, the body and the things that people choose to do with their bodies remain highly contested issues today. How is it that the Muslim veil plays into this concept of identity politics and what does it have to do with the body? Why is it crafted as a symbol of "liberation" or "oppression," and what is it about a woman covering her body that makes it so political? I argue that the standard discourse, which surrounds identity politics, is framed quite differently when considering the veil. Because this discourse attempts to discuss its elements in extremities, it forgoes the ways in which the veil is actually understood and thus overlooks elements that contribute to an understanding of the body, and how politics work to shape our experiences with it. In this way, much of the meaning of the veil is lost and the value of a woman covering her body lends itself more to political discourse rather than to spiritual.
Identity Politics and its Discontents: Muslim Women Bodies and the Veil
Indianapolis, IN
Identity politics often overlook the political nature of the body and instead focus themselves on issues of ethnicity/race. However, the body and the things that people choose to do with their bodies remain highly contested issues today. How is it that the Muslim veil plays into this concept of identity politics and what does it have to do with the body? Why is it crafted as a symbol of "liberation" or "oppression," and what is it about a woman covering her body that makes it so political? I argue that the standard discourse, which surrounds identity politics, is framed quite differently when considering the veil. Because this discourse attempts to discuss its elements in extremities, it forgoes the ways in which the veil is actually understood and thus overlooks elements that contribute to an understanding of the body, and how politics work to shape our experiences with it. In this way, much of the meaning of the veil is lost and the value of a woman covering her body lends itself more to political discourse rather than to spiritual.