Burkinis

[TaterTots]

We've all seen the fuss about them, but last night I saw my first one in 'real life', which got me thinking. Also today two of my friends were arguing about them on FB - one against any ban, the other claiming they are a symbol of oppression.

My view has pretty much always been that it's just a different type of swimsuit; no different to some women wearing bikinis and others wearing one-pieces. I'd always thought the bans in places like Cannes were all about the culture/assimilation issue; it hadn't really crossed my mind that the 'modesty' might be being forced on women.

What do you think?

I think people are anxious and fearful and want to reassert control- Muslim woman are visible and vulnerable which makes them easy targets for a cultural power trip.. They get it from both sides sadly - when there's no choice there is no 'emancipation'

Shame on France where is the liberty in those pics!?

Wow, what a shocker! I read through the article and it said that others around were shouting at her to 'go home'. I wonder if they went up to anyone wearing trousers and a long sleeved top and told them to take their clothes off too. Where exactly do they plan to draw the line? How very odd and silly to demand that someone takes off their clothing.

Out of interest, does anyone think that what she was wearing wasn't suitable for the beach?

The only reason can be that they want to punish all Muslims for the attacks.

I'm happy to be corrected but I don't think Orthodox Jews are being prevented from wearing religious clothes (maybe they are next?).

If they want to protect women from being controlled by men, they need to create and enforce legislation that protects all women and provide refuges.

Sending images around the world that show armed men forcing women to undress is just mind bogglingy stupid.

We are supposed to be better.

Hotdiggedy I would not wear a Burkini personally but only because I prefer a skirted tankini as it covers the bits I don't want on show. For the record I would not wear a bikini either (and have not since I was in my 20's).

I think that the French woman should wear whatever she feels comfortable in. I do not find her full cover outfit offensive, quite the opposite. It looks fine to me and right for her for the beach.

'I'm happy to be corrected but I don't think Orthodox Jews are being prevented from wearing religious clothes (maybe they are next?).'

Actually they have been at least here in the USA. Recently a Muslim woman was forced out of a store in our state and a week later they forced an orthodox woman to take off her tichel :( this is in the US but France has opened to doors to people refusing to allow women to wear what they feel comfortable in

Also that article with those police forcing that woman out of her clothes? I want to run up to those officers and tell them they are over dressed for the beach. If she has to step the cops should too. I wouldn't feel safe with those officers on the beach at all

Strip not step *

I think Orthodox Jews wear similar outfits to the burkini so no idea how you would be able to distinguish and also, if Muslims cant wear their choice of swimwear then I imagine that goes for Jewish people and all others who choose to cover up on the beach. Bit of a fine line.

I think a ruling has just been made on the ban but I feel that attitudes are already such that people will feel uncomfortable to wear the burkini now.

I think the ban has been overturned within the last few hours

I don't know what they were thinking, these few towns, putting it in place in the first place without going through due process. It reminded me of how they started singling out jews in Germany in the 30's.

Those few towns have FN councils, that's the explanation. They want to be nasty and cause trouble so that they can then say 'look at the uppity Muslims'. I am very glad the Conseil d'Etat has overturned the councils. Those of us who aren't FN supporters or xenophobic or racist couldn't care less what other people wear on the beach.
At the same time I also think that maybe we in France care less about what other people think of us on the beach and in general than some other cultures, ie we may be pale and wobbly and hairy and stretchmarked (reasons I have seen upthread for covering up) and so what, that's not going to stop us being enjoying the sun naked or wearing a bikini etc if we want to, on the beach. I am all of those things by the way, why should I cover myself up? I'm a normal woman, so what. You shouldn't feel you have to hide because you aren't some 'perfect ideal' that is really sad.