In 2004; the French government instituted a ban on the wearing of "conspicuous signs" of religious affiliation in public schools. Though the ban applies to everyone; it is aimed at Muslim girls wearing headscarves. Proponents of the law insist it upholds France's values of secular liberalism and regard the headscarf as symbolic of Islam's resistance to modernity. The Politics of the Veil is an explosive refutation of this view; one that bears important implications for us all. Joan Wallach Scott; the renowned pioneer of gender studies; argues that the law is symptomatic of France's failure to integrate its former colonial subjects as full citizens. She examines the long history of racism behind the law as well as the ideological barriers thrown up against Muslim assimilation. She emphasizes the conflicting approaches to sexuality that lie at the heart of the debate--how French supporters of the ban view sexual openness as the standard for normalcy; emancipation; and individuality; and the sexual modesty implicit in the headscarf as proof that Muslims can never become fully French. Scott maintains that the law; far from reconciling religious and ethnic differences; only exacerbates them. She shows how the insistence on homogeneity is no longer feasible for France--or the West in general--and how it creates the very "clash of civilizations" said to be at the root of these tensions. The Politics of the Veil calls for a new vision of community where common ground is found amid our differences; and where the embracing of diversity--not its suppression--is recognized as the best path to social harmony.
#999311 in Books Princeton University Press 2000-12-15Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .76 x 6.00l; 1.06 #File Name: 0691070547336 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Book That Debunks the "Decline" of Paganism in EgyptBy DellaFrankfurter's book takes you through religious expression in Roman Egypt up until the time of the Christian conversion. He demonstrates that paganism wasn't in decline in Egypt at the time; as is popularly assumed; but that it rather assumed different forms; move from temple-centered to more individual-centered.The book is a little dry; but it's worth it; especially when Frankfurter starts evaluating the sources that have come down to us. Many of the popular sources from this time are Christian or otherwise non-Egyptian in nature; so the bias surrounding Egypt at this time period becomes clear.I love everything about ancient Egypt; from the time of Menes until the Christian conversion; and anyone who feels the same way will want to have this book on their shelf.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great ResourceBy Robert F MelgeorgeI leveraged this for my master's thesis on Egyptian funerary writings and did not find another author with a better treatment of the topic.Obviously a book for those with a specific topical interest; not casual reading.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jan_mathExcellent
