i am on the side that wants to see women remove their own veils, because they are autonomous and individual decision makers that don't need or want to obey the dictates of a backwards & patriarchal culture.

but, you have to - have to - understand that that means they must take the veils off, themselves. they can be convinced to. perhaps even coerced to. but, if they refuse, that must not be interfered with.

this used to be the side we called liberalism. if that is not the side that people that identify as liberals are on any more, then i will need to change the side i am on. but, it is liberalism that has changed, and not me.

make no mistake though: i would absolutely like for them to tear them off, and perhaps to burn them in displays of defiance.