But I do think that wearing a bra is oppresive. If you go outside bra-less, you receive disgusted looks. Maybe we should think about this before pointing fingers at the Middle East.

For example, I have met Muslim converts in America that say they know of Muslims who have converted to Christianity and were not killed or forced to renounce their conversion. Yes, this is true. In America, a Muslim can convert without worrying about being killed for apostasy. However, let him try that in a Muslim country.

The same goes for Muslim women in America. Rarely are they killed for not dressing in full hijab although there are still examples in the news about fathers killing their daughters for wearing tight jeans. However, in Muslim countries, daughters who break the dress code and dishonor their families are indeed killed. The UN says there are more than 5,000 reported honor killings each year.

So people like you, who only know Muslims in America, are not getting the full picture. The same muhajiba in America who voluntarily (and stupidly not realizing what she is doing) wears the hijab, certainly would have no choice in how she dresses in countries under Shariah Law.

It is you, dear Jillian, who is ignorant of the reality of what life is like for a woman under Islamic rule. I don’t care how many Americanized muhajibeen you have met.

You are typical of those who think that Islam as practiced in America is the true Islam.

I was also a little confused by the OP’s insistence that “The idea that a woman might want to be FREE from capitulating to the male gaze (even if just an imagined one) is left unexplored.” — since it seems to me that that is a perfectly valid interpretation of the intentions of the woman in the advertisement. (Not the actress, obviously, but certainly the character she plays.)

http://muslimahmediawatch.org/2009/11/sexiness-for-everyone-even-muslims/

Men in the public, and in general, are not criticized about their appearance anywhere close to the same amount that women are. Just because such criticism has occurred doesn’t mean it’s comparable, and that’s the difference.

heck, victimize everyone. women in the west are obligated to show cleavage even when feeling cold. men have to cover up even when its hot because a male body is only for comedy.

To generalize we get into deep water fast.

The hijab is many things: symbol of culture, symbol of relationship to God, or functional gear to not distract libidos from the spiritual matters of living and whatever relationships others around others are in. Culturally people try to get around the hijab with eye makeup and gait, the way schoolgirls try to get around dress code.

I’ve heard women snicker at women at no longer needing the hijab (add old and ugly jokes) and to continue to wear one was flirting with vanity, or misleading packaging.

But then, that’s only some people.

The ad is meant to elicit thought.

While covering up could be taken as no-sex paradigm for women, the ad reminds that there is an individual under the uniform modesty. And she may not be what one expects on seeing just the outermost cover.

And some female leaders are criticized a frumpy, such as one in Canadian Parliament a decade ago. But weight is commented on for males as well and there have been ridiculous amounts of ink devoted to the suits and sweaters of male politicians while ignoring what was actually said. Feh, what can you do. Humans are funny monkeys.

I missed all the Michelle Obama biceps stories. It seems to me that I saw a couple on Obama working out and jogging photos and beach photos which was a kerfuffle of are we allowed to sexualize our leaders, having forgotten about JFK as heartthrob years in the intervening time.

Agree with Cat who got to those point before I did.

Sure, the women in ad is advertizing’s typical thin and young and beautiful. A trifle “done”. Would the plot work if it were a middle aged plump women giving herself the same beauty treatment to go outside? Maybe. It might be contentious. It might work as well or better.

The women in ad (surprise twist ending) seems to be going for a sexual rendez-vous with someone (male or female) since you’d normally layer underwear, around the house clothes,
then the modesty layer.

And while the wearing of burkas does not necessarily mean oppression (especially not on a cultural level or that of personal choice), I think it also goes that prettifying yourself does not necessarily mean a resignation to female/sexual objectification. Is there anything wrong in loving your own body? Granted, the actress portraying the character is not your average, “typical” girl – its message appeals to me. Dress for yourself, while the world has notions on women in burkas or women in lingerie – feel beautiful by yourself, on your own.

In many (maybe even most) Muslim societies there is considerable societal pressure on women to wear hijab (the headscarf) just as there is pressure on women here to look a certain way. In some Muslim societies, there is also other pressure on women NOT to wear it (for example, women in banking or journalism are discouraged from wearing it in places like Morocco), and in other Muslim societies (Turkey) women aren’t even ALLOWED to wear it in certain places (schools).

But please, victimize Muslim women a little more.

This observation comes from within the nest of privilege. “Common sense” dictates that we judge men according to competency but that we also judge women according to standards so far outside concerns of competence it’s ridiculous. Really, to value a woman for competency alone requires “uncommon sense.”

Just because the train isn’t hitting you doesn’t mean that the train doesn’t exist.

Are you for serious?

Maybe it’s not a “big deal” if you’re a man, and your male privilege shields you from female reality. Tell me, how many ugly, short, overweight female CEOs are out there? None. You know why? Because if a woman wants to get ahead in business, and in society, she has to be well educated, well dressed, well spoken, beautiful, feminine, and motherly. If she’s not, she’s criticized. She’s called a ball-breaker, a bitch, homely, and frumpy. Because the only thing we ever think is worth talking about is how a woman looks. Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, anyone?

How about another example.

Remember all those stories talking about Michelle Obama’s sleeveless dress and chiseled biceps? Now tell me how many articles have been written about President Obama’s arms.

No person here is required to look like what “society expects” you to look like. “Oh but society will punish me”, yeah, incredible punishment like looking you weird or judging you before getting a chance to talk to you.

Yes, not cool, but not a big deal either. I won’t say anyone, but most people, no matter how they look, if they are competent enough (for whatever activity) they’ll be valued for that amongst any person with a shred of common sense.