The Citadel says no to hijabs

CBS/AP/ May 10, 2016, 10:18 AM
Last Updated May 10, 2016 5:32 PM EDT

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Citadel military college, known for its buttoned-up uniforms and strict discipline, decided Tuesday that a newly accepted female student cannot wear a traditional Muslim headscarf if she enrolls in the fall.

The decision disappointed the student, according to a family spokesman who said they are considering legal options because they believe "it's the same issue faced by African-Americans and women in this situation."

The school didn't immediately embrace the first African-American cadets during the 1960s and fought the enrollment of women in the 1990s before relenting.

Commandant of Cadets Geno Paluso said allowing the student to wear the head covering known as a hijab wouldn't be consistent with the school's policy of having cadets look similar.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-citadel-military-college-denies-muslim-student-hijab/

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6 replies	Author	Time	Post
The Citadel says no to hijabs (Original post)	rug	May 2016	OP
The cadet knew the rules when she applied.	tonyt53	May 2016	#1
She did. The Citadel didn't.	rug	May 2016	#6
Years of tradition,	cloudbase	May 2016	#2
An unsavory tradition.	rug	May 2016	#3
If their funding sources include tax money, they can't discriminate.	procon	May 2016	#4
Anout 9% of its revenue is from the government.	rug	May 2016	#5

Response to rug (Original post)

Wed May 11, 2016, 11:50 AM

tonyt53 (5,737 posts)

1. The cadet knew the rules when she applied.

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Response to tonyt53 (Reply #1)

Wed May 11, 2016, 05:32 PM

rug (82,333 posts)

6. She did. The Citadel didn't.

It was one of the last to accept segregation was not the rule,

http://diverseeducation.com/article/8050/

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Response to rug (Original post)

Wed May 11, 2016, 11:55 AM

cloudbase (4,492 posts)

2. Years of tradition,

unencumbered by progress.

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Response to cloudbase (Reply #2)

Wed May 11, 2016, 11:57 AM

rug (82,333 posts)

3. An unsavory tradition.

http://www.civilwar.org/hallowed-ground-magazine/winter-2010/the-citadels-big-red-flag.html

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Response to rug (Original post)

Wed May 11, 2016, 12:43 PM

procon (15,805 posts)

4. If their funding sources include tax money, they can't discriminate.

Even if they don't get tax support, there are other laws that protect people from discrimination or religious bigotry. Besides, the military already allows such religious clothing to be worn with uniforms.

Its just a weak cover for perpetuating sexism and bigotry.

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Response to procon (Reply #4)

Wed May 11, 2016, 04:38 PM

rug (82,333 posts)

5. Anout 9% of its revenue is from the government.

http://osa.sc.gov/stateengagements/citadel/Documents/Financial%20Statements/H0912.pdf

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