Wardrobe Malfunction

Wardrobe Malfunction

When we think of places where there is very little freedom of expression, countries such as Russia, China, and Venezuela might come to mind. But, have you ever thought that developed countries might also have problems related to freedom of expression? Would you ever think that this is a problem in a country such as France? Do you think people in France are free to be themselves without getting in trouble?

Immigration has increased in Europe recently. Unfortunately, there are groups of people who believe immigrants have a negative impact on society. Many think immigrants take people’s jobs and put pressure on social services. This way of thinking can result in discrimination. People see immigrants differently because they don’t look like the rest of the population. This situation seems to be particularly true in France. Muslims have been affected the most—especially Muslim women.

Multiple Choice

The violation of freedom of expression does not happen in developed countries such as France.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

People may think that immigrants can have a negative impact on society.

• True

• False

Although most people think of France as a place where people are free to express themselves, there has recently been a worrying move to limit what certain people say and do. These days, France is a country where freedom of expression is in danger. One of the ways in which French law controls this freedom is by monitoring what people wear. It might seem strange to you, but clothes have become a big issue in France. Today, we will talk about Sarah K. She is a young girl who had to leave her school because of what she chooses to wear.

On April 16, 2015, in Charleville-Mézières, France, Sarah K. got up in the morning and got ready to go to school. Sarah is 15 years old, and she identifies as Muslim. Like most Muslim women, she wears headscarves and long skirts. It is part of her identity. That morning, the weather was nice. Sarah decided to wear a skirt instead of pants like she usually does. She never imagined this would be a problem. When Sarah got to her school, the principal, Maryse Dubois, sent her home. Apparently, her skirt was too long! Sarah was shocked. She could not believe what the principal was telling her. She had to take a bus and a train back to her home, which is 25 km from her school.

Multiple Choice

Sarah K. identifies as:

• Catholic

• Muslim

• Jewish

Multiple Choice

Why was she sent home from school?

• Because her skirt was too "long".

• Because her skirt was too short.

• Because she was late to school.

Sarah returned home feeling sad. “It's unfair, it's not a valid reason to forbid me from going to school," she said. Sarah’s family says that she had been warned before not to wear long skirts. Sarah still decided to put one on. She thinks what she wears should not be a problem. The principal thought her outfit was “a very obvious and extravagant sign” of her Muslim faith. Sarah’s mom says her skirts do not show any signs of her religion. She explains that they are “plain, long skirts, one gray and one black. They don’t have anything written on them. They don’t have any religious symbols on them. They are just like any regular skirts.”

The next day, Sarah returned to school wearing pants. She did not have any problems with the principal. However, Sarah felt like she could not be herself. She felt like she could not express how she feels and what she thinks. She was sad because she was not allowed to express herself through what she wears at school. She also felt that she could not really talk to the principal. Sarah knew she was not going to win the argument. But she was brave. She decided to show she was not afraid to be herself. On April 24, she decided to wear another long skirt to school. She ended up being sent home again.  

Multiple Choice

Her clothes showed a sign of religion.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Sara wanted to express herself, so she wore a long skirt to school again.

• True

• False

Every day, before she enters the building, Sarah has to remove her headscarf. When she first started wearing them, her classmates noticed and started asking her questions like "Why are you wearing that? It's weird!” and “Have you been forced to put it on?" Despite these questions, Sarah kept wearing them. Nevertheless, the principal made her take them off, and Sarah had no choice but to do so. 

Multiple Choice

Sara is proud of her own culture.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

People think it is weird that she wears headscarves and long skirts.

• True

• False

Why does the principal have the right to ask Sarah to remove her headscarves? How can she tell Sarah to go home if she is wearing a long skirt? Why is Sarah following these rules? Well… Sarah is not only following her school’s rules, she is following the law. In 2004, France adopted a law that forbids the wearing of clothes that are associated with any religion. For example, Jews cannot wear skullcaps, Christians are not allowed to wear crosses, and Muslims are forbidden from wearing headscarves. Nonetheless, some of the teachers at Sarah’s school are trying to convince the principal that her interpretation of the law should be less strict. Elsa Ray, a spokesperson for Collective Against Islamophobia in France, also called it ”an excessive interpretation” of the law. 

Sarah’s mom believes it is irrational to ask her daughter to stop wearing a simple long skirt. Sarah’s mom is not the only one who feels this way. Her classmates also agree that telling Sarah to leave school is unacceptable. “It’s just a skirt. Other girls come to school wearing long skirts every day. Nobody tells them anything,” said one of her classmates. Mrs. Dubois was very firm in her decision. She even warned Sarah she would force her to leave the school and never come back if she kept breaking the rules. 

Multiple Choice

In France, people are NOT allowed to wear anything that shows any sign of religion. It's the law.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Teachers at the school think the principal is NOT exaggerating in relation to the law.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The principal wants Sarah to leave school and never come back.

• True

• False

Unfortunately, Sarah’s story is just one of the many where people are not allowed to express their religious beliefs in France in the last few years. In recent years, the Muslim community in the country has been increasingly affected by those who would like to limit their rights to practice their religious customs and rituals. This has not been helped by a number of well-publicized terrorist attacks carried out by radical Islamist groups since 2015. As a result, discrimination and cases of hate crime against Muslims have risen sharply. Those that discriminate do not realize that most Muslims are equally disgusted by the attacks and don't support them. 

The fear of terrorism has also had other negative effects on freedom of expression in France. There are new laws that give the government permission to spy on the population. The French government has the power to access information from different channels of communication. It can intercept all telephone conversations, text messages, and emails. It can also use hidden microphones and cameras to listen in on people’s private conversations. 

We live in a world where online communication has become the basis of our interactions. We use social media and the Internet every day. It is scary to think that the same technologies that liberate our social interaction can be used to limit our freedom of expression. Therefore, it is important to remember to come together.

Multiple Choice

Muslims are increasingly discriminated against because of the 2015 terrorist attack in France.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

All Muslims are terrorists.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The French government has permission to spy on the population.

• True

• False