The core of Quebec’s charter? Republicanism and feminism

[snagglepuss]

snip

You cannot begin to understand the debate surrounding the Parti Québécois’s proposed Charter of Quebec Values without an appreciation of French republicanism and its influence in Quebec. Both France and Quebec are post-Catholic societies that threw off the shackles of the church. The backlash came later in Quebec, but it was even more virulent.

Indeed, since the Quiet Revolution, feminism has been almost as powerful a force as nationalism. During the 1980 sovereignty referendum campaign, Lise Payette, the province’s first minister of women’s issues, ridiculed female supporters of the No side as “Yvettes,” a reference to the obedient young girl in old school manuals. Her outburst provoked a backlash that may have helped the No win, but feminists won the day a year later. Since 1981, Quebec women haven’t been able to legally take their husband’s name without considerable effort.

Forget turbans or kirpans, the origin of the PQ charter really lies with Quebec feminists – of which Premier Pauline Marois is one – and their attitude toward the hijab. As in France, Quebec feminists and (until recently) most of its intellectual class have seen the Islamic head scarf less as a religious symbol than as a sign of female oppression and submission. In their view, public institutions bound to uphold the principle of gender equality cannot allow it within their walls.

The daughters of the Quiet Revolution cannot conceive of their children and grandchildren being taught by hijab-wearing teachers because they believe the garment sends a message legitimizing the subordination of women. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism in former French colonies such as Algeria – and the subsequent de facto imposition of the hijab there – plays a big part in their thinking. Many women who fled repression in North Africa have spoken out in support of the PQ charter.




http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/the-core-of-quebecs-charterrepublicanism-and-feminism/article14332725/

[KamaAina]

1. The University of Montreal shooter shouted "You are all feminists!"

before emptying his gun Sandy Hook-style and killing 14 women.

[riderinthestorm]

2. Ugh. I had to google that to read it myself.

I'd like to see some background information on Yakabuski's statement that "Many women who fled repression in North Africa have spoken out in support of the PQ charter."