Freedom of expression much, France?
French media reports that a 15-year-old Muslim girl in the northeastern French town of Charleville-Mezieres was banned from class–twice!–for wearing a skirt that was too long.
Yep. Not provocative because it was short. Because it was too long.
Her skirt was declared "a provocation," because it was too long. Provocative in this case meaning a "conspicuous display of religion."
From The Independent:
France's state secularism has led to very strict laws prohibiting students from wearing overtly religious symbols in institutions of education.
The student, identified as Sarah, already apparently removed her headscarf before entering the school, in accordance with French law. But her long skirt was deemed a "provocation," and potential act of protest.
"The girl was not excluded, she was asked to come back with a neutral outfit," a local official told AFP.
People who agree this is bullshit are using the hashtag #JePorteMaJuppeCommeJeVeux ("I wear my skirt as I like") on social media, posting photos of non-Muslims wearing fashionably long skirts.
"If it's worn by a 'white' person, it's hippy chic, if it's a Muslim, it becomes conspicuous," one person tweeted.
In an interview with her local newspaper L'Ardennais, Sarah said her skirt was "nothing special, it’s very simple, there’s nothing conspicuous. There is no religious sign whatsoever."
Teachers literally telling a teen girl that she has to go home and put on a shorter skirt if she wants an education. Just think about that.
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) April 29, 2015
Trop long !
#JePorteMaJupeCommeJeVeux pic.twitter.com/NmsDKX8fSO
— Nasstea (@Nasstea03) April 28, 2015
Vous estimerez, en l'argumentant, le degré d'ostentation de ces jupes. Vous avez 2h.
#JePorteMaJupeCommeJeVeux pic.twitter.com/2spl6ALny3
— Sihame Assbague (@s_assbague) April 28, 2015
[via @saladinahmed]