This is a first – two blog posts on the same day! But I just have to get this one out because it, depressingly, shows the contemporary relevance of my “Calico Madams” painting (image on my website)
When catching up with this weeks’ newspapers earlier today, I read of a spate of acid attacks on Iranian women who were wearing “inappropriate clothes”. Just like the acid attacks on women wearing Indian calicos by English wool weavers around 1720 (see post of 21 August). The Iranian assailants were reportedly throwing acid at women who were driving in the street with their windows pulled down. Back in 18th century England, acid was also used to attack (the more well-off) women who were driving in carriages i.e. the attackers couldn’t get close enough to rip their clothes off or set them on fire, like they did with (poorer) women who were walking in the street.
In both cases, morality is invoked to justify gendered violence. In 18th century England this was ostensibly routed in patriotism and protection of local industry, whereas in contemporary Iran it is claimed to be routed in religion. What both cases have in common is the conclusion that the women’s attire is immoral, immodest, provocative… and therefore the women must be punished. Also, in both cases there is a call for regulation to legitimise the attackers’ stance.
It is heartening to learn that 1000s of Iranians have protested against the acid attacks, so maybe times have moved on after all?
