The X Fact(her): Do We Need Fashion Police?

Lubna al-Hussein is facing 40 lashes for wearing tight jeans.

On July 3, Sudanese “morality police” burst into a restaurant arresting 18 women, and al-Hussein, for wearing what they morally deemed to be inappropriate clothes. A journalist and former employee of the U.N, al-Hussein is making her case public in hopes of bring attention to the plight of women in Sudan. In preparation of her sentencing, she even sent out 500 invitations encouraging people to come see her flogging for a crime people here would laugh at.

I’m not trying to make light of the situation in Sudan or any other religious country were such drastic measures are taken to ensure that women are hidden, but where is our “Fashion Police”?

There have been times when I’ve walked down the street behind young men who have their entire ass out (usually covered thinly by some boxers) for all the world to see. They waddle like ducks in order to keep their jeans from falling down or resort to holding the waist. Let’s face it, fellas you look a hot mess. I applauded when the baggy jeans went out of style but the skinny jeans are just as bad if not worse.

Men aren’t the only ones in need of the “fashion police”. Women, some of you walk out with more flesh exposed than a butcher’s shop. There is no reason why I should be seeing your ass crack and belly roll.

Here in our community, we dress this way because the opposite sex deems it acceptable.

In Muslim countries, like al-Hussein’s, women dress covered up because men deem that the only acceptable style. There, men also deem what is acceptable for men as well. Go figure.

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Posted by:

Chloe

The X Fact(her) – Don’t Tell Me What to Do With My Womb!

You might not know who Dr. George Tiller is or understand why he was gunned down in church as he served as an usher. You probably didn’t know that Dr. Tiller survived a previous assassination attempt over a decade ago and that various anti-abortion organizations dubbed him a mass-murderer and a baby killer.

Dr. George Tiller’s Wichita practice was the site for daily protesters who objected to Tiller’s administering late-term abortions. His death by the hands of a rabid pro-life supporter may have ended Tiller’s life but won’t do much in stopping women from terminating their pregnancies. Which raises the question: Why attack a doctor who is offering a service that women are demanding?

It’s estimated that 3,700 illegal abortions are performed each day. That comes to about 1.37 million a year. Abortion was criminalized throughout the U.S. between the late 1800s and 1973. But during that time, millions of women sought and obtained abortions anyway. These “back alley” abortions were performed on kitchen tables in back rooms, using coat hangers and without medicine to numb the pain. Thousands of women lost their lives as the result of botched abortions or infections caused by the amateur procedures.

We all know at least one woman who has had an abortion; imagine her dying because she had to seek the services of an unprofessional. Are we really trying to go back to those times?

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Posted by:

Chloe

A Deadly Debate: Abortion in America

Dr. George Tiller was murdered while attending Church in Wichita, Kansas yesterday. As details develop, the picture is clear: Dr. Tiller was killed for offering abortion services to pregnant women.

No other issue transcends policy and government as completely as the abortion debate.  It stretches back to the moment of creation, for each one of us. 

What fundamental, undeniable control does a woman have over her own body? At what point does the life of a growing child enter our social compact? 

I am pro choice; it feels rights to me. But in debate after debate, I have come to realize the incredible diversity of feelings on the subject. It is certainly one of the most difficult issues facing our country and our government. We need action from our administration to create policies the people of America can follow.

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Posted by:

Sam Patton