Michelle Obama causes backlash by foregoing a headscarf while in Saudi Arabia - well done

Uh-oh. It looks like Michelle Obama has caused an international fashion incident in Saudi Arabia. As she walked down the stairs after exiting Air Force One, the terrifyingly thin-skinned Islamic world was assaulted by her outfit. ...And no, there was nothing wrong with it.

She wore pants, a bright blue blouse, and a long, loose fitting, jacket. But *GASP* she wasn't wearing a headscarf! Scandalous! As the AP reports:

Joining President Barack Obama for a condolence visit after the death of the King Abdullah, Mrs. Obama stepped off of Air Force One wearing long pants and a long, brightly colored jacket -- but no headscarf. Under the kingdom's strict dress code for women, Saudi females are required to wear a headscarf and loose, black robes in public. Most women in Saudi Arabia cover their hair and face with a veil known as the niqab. But covering one's head is not required for foreigners, and some Western women choose to forego the headscarf while in Saudi Arabia. As a delegation of dozens of Saudi officials -- all men -- greeted the Obamas in Riyadh, some shook hands with Mrs. Obama. Others avoided a handshake but acknowledged the first lady with a nod as they passed by.

If you're asking yourself "who cares?" Well, that's the right reaction. You have that view because you've opted to live here in the 21st century with the rest of us. Unfortunately, not everyone has decided to make the move. Almost immediately, an Arabic hashtag appeared on Twitter which translates roughly to "Michelle Obama Uncovered." While a few of the people using it were supportive, the vast majority were initially Muslims attacking the First Lady for her impudent clothing decisions. It seems that Mrs. Obama has stepped upon the delicate sensibilities of various nations which endorse the oppressive treatment of women, honor killings, capital punishment for gays, persecution of rape victims, and on, and on, and on.

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It's not often that we get to say this, but: "Good for her." She's not a Muslim, she's not forced to adhere to their customs, and she's married to the leader of the free world. She can wear what she wants. If her decision to ditch the headscarf shines a light on Saudi Arabia's backwards, stone-age attitudes toward women, then more power to her. Keep in mind, no one is arguing that Mrs. Obama is breaking new ground. There were other women in the room with Mrs. Obama who were also not wearing headscarves, Hillary Clinton has ignored it, and we can't forget Laura Bush... ...But, at a time when it feels like the United States is under ever-increasing pressure to acquiesce to the demands of fundimentalist Islam, Michelle Obama's refusal to don the scarf feels downright subversive. If you're "outraged" by it, congratulations. You've identified yourself as part of the problem.