by Lexi Matthews ‘18

In September, French lawmakers approved proposals for three nudists parks in forests surrounding Paris. These proposals came from local French ‘naturists’– those who worship the earth through intimate, often nude, connectivity– with establishment slated for next summer.

While the park itself is not a problem, its approval displays extreme hypocritism and Islamophobia from France, who banned Muslim women from wearing burkinis this summer. If two million naturists are encouraged to express themselves in safe, governmentfunded spaces, why must the 4.7 million Muslims living in France exist in fear and shame of their own beliefs?

Terrorism has spread excessive fear across the world, and it’s okay to take precautionary combatant efforts. The actions of the French government, however, go beyond this into blatant discrimination. France recognized naturists, despite their unconventional beliefs, as people simply looking to live out their own non-obtrusive lifestyles, and thus supported their peaceful practices. It is nonsensical that Muslims, who just want to cover up on the beach, cannot be given this same common decency.