To those who think the Muslim scarf/hijab is oppressive to women

[MADem]

225. My observation (and, as you see in the 2nd video) is that the "chemical veil" as you call it, is not

unheard of in the Middle East at all. In fact, many of the essential cosmetic basics (such as perfumes, kohl and other cosmetic eye adornments) came out of pre-Islamic, Pharaonic Egypt.

It's not just a "western" thing, by any stretch. I think some cultures over that way have a heavier hand with the trowel/spackle than we see here in the west, where the idea is sometimes to appear as though one isn't covered in makeup.

I do think that the whole "slave to fashion" business is silly, but it's happening all over the world--under the chador in Iran, behind the veil in Saudi Arabia, all over India (egged on by Bollywood), in Asia (egged on by the film industry there, as well), you name it--it's not just the west.

What the west does, better than many, is aggressively MARKET the fashions, the hairstyles, the cosmetics, the shoes, the plastic surgery--they do it through fashion magazines, Oprah-like talk shows, music videos and Hollywood films. They highlight it, sell it, make people think they want it...and 'round the world it goes!

Expecting people to not want the newest things in the fashion and beauty industries is a futile exercise. People like the thought that a garment, a product, a procedure, will change them from an ugly duckling to a swan. It may not be true, but it's the IDEA that entices--and you'll never stop people from hoping that they can somehow improve themselves with just one little adjustment, one new "thing,"--and that, by so doing, they'll magically find happiness.