Episode 46 – Alena’s Boutique and Bridal

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Randy

This is a special edition of the Legion of Reason. Helen brought this story to my attention and we played at being investigative reporters. The owners of a bridal boutique in North Hill Mall here in Calgary is being forced to move their business (http://www NULL.cbc NULL.ca/player/News/Canada/Calgary/ID/2320390400/). Ostenibly, this is because Alena’s Boutique and Bridal broke the specific use clause in their rental agreement with the mall and taking business away from other stores. The problem with this excuse is that this store sold clothing specific to Muslim women. Even if there was another bridal boutique in the mall it is difficult to see how the contents of the two stores would overlap at all. Alena’s sold hijabs and abayas, for crying out loud, which the mall management characterized as ‘scarves’. Suzanne Chybli-Taylor and Scott Taylor kindly invited us into their home to tell their story and to talk about their experiences as Muslims living in Calgary.

Podcast: Play in new window (http://media NULL.blubrry NULL.com/legionofreason/p/www NULL.legionofreason NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/LoR-046 NULL.mp3) | Download (http://media NULL.blubrry NULL.com/legionofreason/p/www NULL.legionofreason NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/LoR-046 NULL.mp3)

About Randy

A shameless skeptic with no patience for foolish nonsense and relishes nothing more than busting balloons filled with hot air. And, yes. I'm an atheist, for the same reason that I am a-homeopathic, a-chiropractic, a-reiki, etc. Atheism is a conclusion of modern skepticism applied to religious claims every bit as much as I don't buy into the Bigfoot myth. You want me to accept your claim? Show mete evidence, and it had best be better than the typical "Oh, but the evidence is all around you!" That gets no traction with me. But that doesn't mean my mind can't be changed. I'm no contrarian. I just happen to have more respect for myself than to fall for arguments like "You can't prove it isn't true!"

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2 comments on “Episode 46 – Alena’s Boutique and Bridal”

1. Tired of Listening to The Poor Me on December 25, 2012 at 7:26 am said:

   Heavy Sigh… agreed – people should be allowed to wear whatever costume they like, but be prepared for a reaction (for example – if you see someone on the street decked out in swastikas… there is probably a visceral reaction) … and to think that there are women, here, that still believe it is a woman’s fault if she is attacked – beyond sad – this podcast made me want to go sleeveless; at the very least!

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   • Randy (http://TheLegionOfReason NULL.com) on December 25, 2012 at 8:53 am said:

     Yes, this bothered me as well. I had to decide on the spur of the moment whether to challenge Suzanne’s opinion on this or let her speak. After all, this episode wasn’t about us, so I let it go, but now that you’ve opened the door…

     I think Suzanne’s statement that she was offended by ‘skimpy bikinis’ in store windows is very much the same kind of thinking that led to the action of mall management. The difference is that Suzanne is not in a position of authority. Would she act in a similar manner if she had that power? I have no idea. I don’t know her well enough to say.

     Both women and (some) men dress to feel good about themselves first and foremost. Dressing to feel sexy is not an invitation to sexual harassment, let alone sexual assault. It is a low opinion of men indeed that Suzanne has if she thinks we can’t make this distinction.

     However, none of this excuses the cultural insensitivity and blatant racism mall management displayed.

     Reply ↓