This week the President and First Lady traveled to Saudi
Arabia to pay their respects to Saudi King Abdullah who passed away last
week. While there, Michelle Obama caused
controversy by not wearing a headscarf.
Some Saudi officials stopped to shake her hand, while other avoided a handshake,
but nodded to her as they passed. More
than 1,500 tweets using the hashtag #MichelleObamaUnveiled went out during the
ceremony, many of which criticized the First Lady for showing her bare head.
In Saudi Arabia, women are expected to cover their heads
and wear loose black robes in public, although exceptions are made for foreigners. Many women cover their hair and face with a
veil known as the niqab. Saudi Arabia
has many additional restrictions on women as part of their strict
interpretation of Islamic Shariah law known as Wahhabism. Women and men are strictly segregated in
public places. Women are banned from
driving, and are required to get permission from male relatives to travel, get
married, enroll in higher education, and undergo certain medical procedures.
Although Michelle Obama didn’t cover her head, she
certainly wasn’t the first American First Lade to fail to do so. There has been a long tradition of American
women not covering up in Saudi Arabia.
In fact, many female foreign officials from around the world don’t cover
their heads when visiting Saudi Arabia.
There has been much conversation this week about this
practice, and I’m interested to know what you think. In a few months, I am hoping to travel on a
mission trip to Uganda. There is a good chance
I will have a flight layover in Saudi Arabia.
On one hand, I respect other people’s culture. I have no problem covering my head in certain
places deemed “holy,” and adhering to a more modest dress code when I’m
traveling to parts of our world that require it. On the other hand, I strongly support feminism
both here and around the world. As a
feminist, I believe all women should have the same economic, social and
political rights as their male counterparts.
In short, I respect a women’s right to choose whether or not she wants
to dress a certain way.
So my question to you this week is, “Do you think
American women should adhere to other countries strict dress codes when
traveling there? Is it disrespectful to
other cultures to forgo their dress code, or is it a sign of female
empowerment? Do you think Michelle Obama
was trying to make a political statement with her attire, or lack thereof? You must answer all questions for full
credit. Answers are due no later than Wednesday,
February 4th, 2015.
My first instinctual answer is no, I don't think we should have to adhere to the dress codes while traveling there because for one, we aren't permanent residents. Onlookers know we come from a different place and do things a different way. And two, because of feminist rights, I'm strongly against the dress codes that take place there. I would feel so personally belittled if I had to wear a headpiece because while being there, I was considered less important than men. On that statement, I would say this IS taking a stand for female empowerment. Having said all of that, putting myself in the shoes of those who live there, I can see where it could be looked at as disrespectful. In some countries it's not abnormal for women to be completely topless but obviously if they were to come visit here, that would not be allowed; however, we see women with headpieces on here in America all the time, because that's what they're comfortable wearing, and they're not forced to take them off. It's not even viewed as impolite here, as it would be in their country if the situations were switched.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Michelle Obama was trying to make any kind of statement. I think she just didn't think about it and didn't wear a headpiece out of habit.
I don't believe we should have to abide by their dress code just for the simple fact that it's not in our beliefs to do so. I think Michelle was probably trying to make a statement by not covering up. I personally think Saudi Arabia has the dumbest regulations. And I don't believe women should have to cover up their entire bodies and have a man's permission to go out in public. It makes me so mad to even think about. It's wrong in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteDo I think women should have to adhere to the dress code in Saudi Arabia? Personally no, but since it is such a big deal there and the fact that their people get offended when women like Michelle Obama do not adhere to dress code women probably should follow dress code so they do not cause controversy. As for the second question I think it is kind of disrespectful but I am all for female empowerment and I believe a woman should dress in what she feels beautiful & comfortable in no matter what the rules are. As for the third question, I personally think Michelle wasn't trying to make a political statement I just think she did not think about their dress code before going there and breaking it. It was wrong of her as first lady of the U.S. to not adhere to Saudi Arabia's dress code, but that is on her. If I was first lady though, I would have made sure before going there what to pack and what I should wear just so I don't show disrespect. I can see why saudi arabians thought she was being disrespectful to their country but I don't think it should have been made as big of a deal as it was.
ReplyDeleteNo. I think we should be aware of their culture and be understanding but not follow it. People have different cultures and different custom. The same way we don’t force them to wear western clothing when coming to the U.S they shouldn’t force it on others. I don’t think it is disrespectful. I think that it should be accepted for Americans women to travel wearing western clothing because we should be accepted and respected as we are. I think Michelle Obama was trying to make a political statement with her attire. She wanted to be recognizable as a western woman and be accepted by the Saudi Arabia people as one.
ReplyDeleteI'm very much in the middle with this question. I believe strongly in feminism but also believe in the respect of other countries. However I do not agree with Saudi Arabia's laws about women. But I do believe it could have avoided conflict of these laws were followed when traveling there. However I do believe this shows a strong statement and agree with the statement and would have done the same.
ReplyDeleteI think american women should adhere to other countries strict dress code because its being respectful and also just to avoid being ignored. Another thing is i find it sorta disrespectful for another country to force their dress code on someone whose visiting maybe its their religion i don't know but i do think Michelle Obama was trying to make a statement maybe she just wanted to be accepted and show who she is and where she's from i don't think she meant to cause a controversy while in Saudi Arabia.
ReplyDeleteI'm in between both parts. I think that women should have the same equal rights as a man in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAlso if i was visiting Saudi Arabia i'd wear a hijab just out of respect. I wouldn't want anybody to get offended, and i wouldn't want anything negative to happen.
As a woman, and as a feminist i think that Saudi Arabian women should have the same rights as us American women do.
Dress how we want to dress, say whatever we want to say, do what we want to without any one's permission , and to be able to voice our own opinions and not to keep quite. I don't necessarily agree with their laws considering women, but i have to respect it. Because i believe in respecting people's cultures, and customs.
Also i think that Michelle was kind of oblivious, she didn't know the cultures law. I guess she thought that it wouldn't be a big deal about her appearance. i don't think she was trying to offended anyone. But she should've known better.
i believe that women and men should be equal we are all the same but yet so different. I also think that we should be respectful of each others cultures, and to be aware of them.
I'm somewhere in the middle when it comes to this topic. On the one hand, it seems unfair for countries such as Saudi Arabia to impose their religiously-founded laws on someone who doesn't follow that faith and is only visiting temporarily. Although it might seem disrespectful to be oblivious to their cultural beliefs, it seems equally disrespectful of them to force us to drop our beliefs and adhere to theirs.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, one of the main reasons why other countries have such a low opinion of ours is because we seem belligerently stubborn in our own beliefs and expect others to adapt instead, i.e. the people who travel to a country with another language and expect everyone to speak English rather than learning the native tongue themselves. For the sake of respect and politeness, it seems like it would be best to adhere to the local customs, at least in public spaces. (From what I've heard about what sometimes happens to women who refuse to cover up in those countries, it also affords a degree of safety.)
I'm not sure whether her lack of a veil was intentional or not, but since she's a strong-minded woman, I wouldn't be surprised if she was trying to make a statement. What I'm really unsure of, though, is just what kind of statement it ends up making for her and for the rest of America and whether it's a good or bad thing.
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ReplyDeleteI feel like if you are going to pay respect to the dead then you should respect their customs. By not covering her head she comes of disrespectful and rude.
ReplyDeleteWe don't ask then to put on levi's and a t-shirt when they come here
ReplyDeleteOverall, I do not believe women should have to adhere to other countries strict dress codes and religious beliefs. We as a country have freedom of speech and freedom to choose whatever religion we want. I do agree it could be disrespectful to them but they are so small minded about the subject. I think you shouldn't convert to any religion or customs because you are visiting a country. I think women should consider their dress codes and dress properly yet covering up shouldn't be required. It should not be disrespectful but empowering to other women to see how far we have come as a gender and what could be possible for them. However, the men need to be convinced first before any women can take action and live their lives out of fear. I think if Michelle Obama did follow their dress code there would be a huge issue here. I think she was doing what she thought was right and also giving a statement that you stand up for your beliefs by living your life for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that if you are not a permanent resident of that country, then you shouldn't have to adhere to their dress codes. I also don't believe it's disrespectful. I've seen plenty of women over here wearing headpieces and no one forced them to take it off. When it comes to Michelle Obama, I don't think she was trying to make a statement. Since we don't really wear headpieces over here, I think she just didn't really think about wearing one.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think American women should adhere to other countries' dress codes while traveling. In my opinion, these dress codes shouldn't be inflicted on any person, even Saudi Arabians. So they definitely should not be inflicted on a person that chooses not to live in Saudi Arabia.I don't believe its disrespectful for Michelle Obama to have done this, she was just dressing as she normally does. Because of that fact, I don't think it was a women's empowerment statement either. If anything, Michelle Obama was making a statement about American people as a whole by not following the dress code.
ReplyDeleteI don't think American women should follow other countries dress code especially when we don't have any type of dress code over here or if their laws say that it's accepted that it doesn't require foreigners to follow certain laws. "While Saudi women are required to wear long-sleeved garments and cover their heads in public, foreign visitors are exempt from such rules." www.cbsnews.com/news/did-michelle-obama-make-a-statement-with-no-head-scarf-in-saudi-arabia/. It's not disrespectful to forgo the dress code of other countries if their laws don't say anything about foreigners. Michelle Obama wasn't trying to make a political statement, she made the decision to not wear a headscarf just like the other political officials that came before her.
ReplyDeleteThere is equal right on both man and woman. But there aer saying that "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". We have to respect each others. Some Saudi Arabian doesn't do handshakes to her is not respectful. Also, Michelle Obama was not too. It was big meeting and specially, they were there for passed away person. I think Obama should follow their rules.
ReplyDeleteBut this is on consider as official meeting. I don't think evert woman traveler have to wear hijabs in Saudi Arabia.
-Jaeyoung
I don't really think that she was at the wrong like what Jeff kern said, we don't force them to wear America wear when they come here.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think that she was at the wrong like what Jeff kern said, we don't force them to wear America wear when they come here.
ReplyDeleteI think we should respect their culture and beliefs. How many times have Americans told foreigners that "you're in America, speak English!" And other things like that? We need to stop thinking that the world revolves around us. Not to mention that they were there to pay thier respects. I imagine that if I showed up to a funeral in a batman onsie people would be displeased. Maybe not my best analogy but eh, you get the idea.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is merely out of a sign of respect to adhere to a countries beliefs and cultures when visiting. I have lived in a foreign country and made my best attempt to not disrespect the natives nor their culture. I honestly undertand the perspective of which the First Lady must have had while ultimately determaining to go uncovered, but think that this may have been in poor judgement. As stated, she was not the first to make this bold statement and therefore not sure if it could be considered a political statement.
ReplyDeleteWhen traveling to another country I think american women should have the choice to dress as is customer to said country. When people move to America we do not make them conform to when is the norm in our dress code. It's not out of disrespect that we don't always dress what is customed to other countries, it's how we were raised and they are experiencing our dress code. Honestly I think Michelle Obama didn't want to be there and was dragged on by being the presidents wife.
ReplyDeleteSaudi Arabia is one of the few countries left that are under a strict absolute monarchy ruled by the house of Saud. They are the prevailer of Wahhabism which has led to the rise of Islamic terrorism around the world. (15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 where Saudi, training camps around the world, ect.) They have a special relationship with the Bush's (Bandar bin Sultan), oil companies, control OPEC, all of which is in violation Logan Act. They also violate human rights everyday (look into the recent public beheading of women). Ethnocentrism aside, it would be best to cut ties with Saudi altogether. Their complete disregard for the aforementioned above should be enough to no garner much respect. When diplomats visit a foreign country, yes, they should adhere to the countries culture and norms as a good diplomat should. But we should be looking more into why we are so intertwined with Saudi Arabia which by all accounts is against everything we stand for as a country. I hope this incident causes more people to look into why we kowtow to such an atrocity as Saudi Arabia.
ReplyDeleteWhile I disagree with women having to cover their bodies if they do not want to, I feel that out of respect for that country we should respect their culture. This does not just apply to hijabs or head coverings but to anything in their culture, we are not at home and must learn to adapt and accept other countries cultures even if we disagree with them.
ReplyDelete