Muslim Woman Goes to Jail Cause She Didn't Take Headscarf Off

[BlaqueKatt]

but should culture be the same?

The US is or used to be known as "the melting pot" due to the numerous cultures that melded together to build this country-now with all the "my culture is sacred and I will not abandon it" we have segregation again, and that generally causes unrest. There are areas in my small "city" where I am unwelcome due to my skin color, yet no one is unwelcome in my area. There are also areas in my city that are demanding a spanish only speaking school-because their "culture" is important and they don't want to destroy it by learning english(american). They want to reap the benefits of american culture, but take none of the responsibility. My grandparents fled Germany, came here and learned english to get their citizenship and "assimilate" into American culture-they lived comfortably enough. Now I see news stories about how hard it is for spanish only speakers to accomplish anything, and we should give them more opportunities.

I understand in some cultures that I being a woman am next to worthless, should I visit those countries I would expect it, and so as not to cause trouble would abide by it-however in the country I live in I do not expect it and would resent being treated that way.

More of a "my house my rules, your house your rules" kinda thing or if you prefer-"when in Rome do as the Romans do"

[AFPheonix]

apparently most missed the last line of the article

"Hall said Valentine, an insurance underwriter, told the bailiff that she had been in courtrooms before with the scarf on and that removing it would be a religious violation. When she turned to leave and uttered an expletive, Hall said a bailiff handcuffed her and took her before the judge."


it was not about the refusal to remove headgear-she was leaving and uttered an expletive at the bailiff-SHE WAS NOT EVEN IN THE COURTROOM YET.

She was leaving and cursed at a court officer-she got her right to free speech and the consequences for it-but both the media and her would rather say "I'm being persecuted for my religion" If she had left quietly I highly doubt she would've been arrested. Not sure what the Koran says about swearing/expletives-and they did not say what it was-maybe it was a racist remark? Maybe it was something very offensive to the officer?

I'd probably leave and mutter fuck or shit under my breath if someone asked me to take something off that I felt was morally wrong to remove. It does not say directly that the expletive was directed at the bailiff, so I will not assume so. She was also caught well before she got into the courtroom, and she did the civil thing by not pushing the issue and leaving. The court was still way out of line.

In western society, only certain types of headgear are seen as rude when worn indoors or at meals. Women are still permitted to wear hats (as long as they're dress hats, not baseball caps), and in many churches women follow the rules set down in the book of Acts to wear head coverings while in the sanctuary. Religious head coverings are allowed.
Again, I see this as the judge probably being a bit on the racist side (and I say racist because people tend to equate muslims here with arabs).

Also, while we are a melting pot, one does not totally give up their entire cultural identity or customs simply because they've moved here. Can you imagine how much poorer we'd be as a country without many of the influences other cultures have brought? Think of all the new words that we've integrated into English, all the different foods, clothing, etc etc etc. As long as the particular custom is not hurting anyone, why should they give it up? The judge made a mountain out of a molehill in this case.

[Greenday]

There, fixed that for you.

That's a bad fix. Not all Muslim people moved here. There are enough that are born here. Hell, America is diverse enough that what is completely normal in one area is a horrible act in another. Just because people are different doesn't mean we should be disrespectful of them or intolerant.

[AdminAssistant]

Again, I see this as the judge probably being a bit on the racist side (and I say racist because people tend to equate muslims here with arabs).

I'd say xenophobia instead of racism, more accurate for the situation I think. However, from the picture, the woman does look black.

My completely uneducated opinion is that the Judge probably thought, "My rules are the rules and I'm not gonna make any exceptions!!" I highly doubt it was a concious racist/xenophobic move. Judges are not generally known for their leniency, and the Judge in this case probably resented being asked to set aside his rules.

And I agree with BlaqueKatt. She should've waited until she got outside to let fly with the profanity.

[Slytovhand]

I highly doubt it was a concious racist/xenophobic move.

Just thought I'd throw 2 cents at that, and suggest that racism/xenophobia usually isn't conscious, but an automatic ingrained thing. Wouldn't take any thought at all.

But... still doesn't add much to the debate

[AFPheonix]

I'd say xenophobia instead of racism, more accurate for the situation I think. However, from the picture, the woman does look black.

My completely uneducated opinion is that the Judge probably thought, "My rules are the rules and I'm not gonna make any exceptions!!" I highly doubt it was a concious racist/xenophobic move. Judges are not generally known for their leniency, and the Judge in this case probably resented being asked to set aside his rules.

And I agree with BlaqueKatt. She should've waited until she got outside to let fly with the profanity.

She should have, but she didn't. Neither was she in the court room when she cursed, so the bailiff was still out of line. Security checkpoints in courthouses are typically located right inside the doors of the building.

I'm trying to imagine how this would go down if this were a Mennonite or Amish woman. I'm envisioning a very different outcome.