Defending the right to appear with dignity and style - without exploiting my body.

Saudi Swimwear
Summer Collection 2005

This is how sweet modest swimwear can be, let it illustrate our discussion about religion and beach-culture (yesterday, below).

But the site I found the picture on says:

"Saudi Swimwear: These are beautiful ladies who are forced to cover themselves. To them, bikini is unknown."

Now that is being culturally insensitive. To most Saudi ladies, bikini girls are prostitutes. And what is this about being forced? To compare: just because all western women have a career, which they take for granted, just as the laundry and the dishes, it does not mean they are forced to work, unless they need the money. But there are other reasons why women don’t want to stay at home too, right? Modesty works the same way. On a structural level we can compare pressures that are leading one side to exposure and body-fixation; on the other a culture that values women’s modesty. I’m not saying either is right or wrong or assuming that one side feel more free than the other, just that disrespect and insensitivity is appropriate. It does not take us forward. Look at the young models smile! Are you as comfortable in your thongs and speedo's?

btw: This picture is from a Turkish shopping site, more images available.