Wednesday 6 October 2010

CLOTHES AND POLITICS

Clothes have always had a sexual element to them (think men's codpieces and hose, or women's high heels and cleavages). But it seems that they are also getting more politicised.

On this side of the Atlantic, politicians in various countries are attempting to ban the burqa and niqab on the grounds that they are too modest and restrict women's freedom. Yet on the other side of the Atlantic, a young woman in Brazil was expelled from a private university in Brazil for wearing a minidress that was too immodest and gave her too much freedom.

True, the Brazilian university backed down and readmitted 21-year old Geisy Arruda. It was also subsequently ordered by a court to pay her US$23,600 in compensation, a sum which this modestly clad non-Brazilian thought outrageously high. But not high enough for her "trampled dignity"; her lawyers are planning an appeal.

Yes, there is a trend towards the politicisation of clothing. But it is still a long way behind the trend of litigious disputes.

Walter Blotscher
Posted by Walter Blotscher at 19:39

1 comment:

  1. Michael7 October 2010 at 09:47

    Maybe compensation payments in Brazil are booming along with the economy.

    It is odd that burqua bans have so much popular support.

    In Zanzibar the full outfit, know there as "ninja" has become more popular in recent years.

    The strong voice of the outraged has to split view between objecting to the ninja and objecting to the bikinis

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