The article discusses the relations between
oppression and the struggle against these
oppressions at the theoretical, practical and
political level. Whereas the principles that are
at the centre of these struggles are always the
same: the refusal of oppression – in a particular
and general way – these struggles are
often perceived as opposite or even contradictory.
An exemplary case to examine these
questions is the French headscarf debate that
occurred in French society in 2003-2004 and
lead to the law on laïcité – generally known
as the headscarf ban. Many French progressive
feminists have been undecided regarding
the ban. In discussing the motives and
arguments behind this position, the author
argues that, similar to the feminist advocates
of the headscarf ban, these feminists consider
women wearing a headscarf as victims
of sexism. However, they also recognize that
the law has stigmatising consequences for
the migrant population. Delphy analyses this
dilemma between antisexism and antiracism
as a false one, for it presupposes that these
women are only subject to sexism and not to
racism. The author further criticises feminists
like Elizabeth Badinter who seem to suggest
that men from ‘racialized’ groups are extremely
sexist and violent, and that western women
nowadays hardly suffer from oppression
or patriarchy
