The other day I was reading USA Today at work during lunch time. I happened upon an article concerning a Muslim female swim hour at George Washington University in DC. I support this effort 100%!!!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-11-10-IHE-Muslim-student-female-swim-GWU11_ST_N.htm
Later I came home and re-read the article online and saw the large volume of commentary on this topic. Opinions ran the entire spectrum. I was surprised at the hateful comments and surly manner in which some people were reacting.
There were comments about males not getting equal time, about reverse Title IX issues and Islamphobia. I was ashamed to be an American!! I am still shivering over the hatefulness I felt being promoted. I can only imagine what the Fox "News" "ladies" had to say about this 1 hour a week swim time at a private university. Thank goodness I don't watch FOX.
I know several Muslim women who don't get many opportunities to learn to swim, learn to ride bicycles or participate in sport teams. Learning to swim is a safety issue and a life skill. At least two public colleges; UNC and UMW both have swim requirements for undergraduates.
Making this accomodation for women is important, liberating, healthful, and the right thing to do. Please get over yourselves and stop the bickering. All women need opportunities for physical exercise and I'm proud that the GWU Muslim Student Association asked for this opportunity. Who is it hurting?
http://womensrights.change.org/blog/view/university_creates_female_swim_hour_for_muslim_women_anti-muslim_alarmists_freak_out
As an almost 55 year old women, I never benefitted from Title IX. It was still being fought about in the courts in 1973 when I graduated from public high school. I could probably file a lawsuit over the opportunites not allowed to my peers and me; because we were discriminated against our entire school careers!
"Let it be~~Let it be! Let it be~~Whisper words of wisdom...Let it be!!!!"
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