Naheed Mustafa: Now, before you get all riled up and accuse me of blaming the victim, let me say it clearly: No one — not “Amina,” not any person — should be threatened with violence or death for expressing her or his opinion even if that expression includes yanking off one’s clothes. As a woman, my main issue is with this persistent idea that by turning our bodies into objects — even if we’re the ones choosing to do so — women will somehow break through age-old cultural taboos, customs, and laws that keep us socially and legally constricted.
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, Femen’s point is precisely about attracting attention — using women’s bodies as a way to sell an idea (how novel). Maybe the women involved don’t really think they’ll directly cause actual change, but rather they — and their breasts — can get people to see the issues (I’m trying very hard not to pun). That’s all fine and well, but I can’t possibly be the first person to point out that taking your unsheathed bosoms to a mosque and using them as a way to force men to think about options for their daughters and sisters and wives seems … screwed up (and let’s not even talk about the gross, racist under- and overtones of International Topless Jihad Day). More here.