Burquas and Niqabs

Here's a letter I sent to the NY Times today:


"Americans who oppose the banning of burqas and niqabs in France generally overlook that other societies do not regard freedom of expression as an unquestioned unlimited right. Other countries tend to associate certain freedoms with responsibility. We vilify China, for example, for controlling their internet. But have we personally endured the chaos of the Cultural Revolution? When loved ones have been tortured or murdered in social upheaval, you probably end up having a different "take" on freedom of expression.

Much of France seems to be saying that certain symbols cross an invisible line and are too hot to handle. In America, we would do well to ponder this for the well-being of our own society."