Harvard Accomodation Debate

Recently, Harvard has decided due to complaints from Muslim women that they will set aside women only hours in the gyms, as the women were feeling uncomfortable working out in front of men. Many feel that this was a good idea, but in reality it is a very short-sighted decision. Harvard is a secular campus, not a religious one, and as a result women and men should be able to work out at the same time, and not be split due to religious reasons. When immigrants move to America they shouldn't push their cultural and religious practices on the surrounding population. These women knew what they were getting into when they decided to go to Harvard, and should live with the decision they made, rather than complain. One of the women said that Jews have a kosher section in the cafeteria, and this is basically the same thing, but it isn't at all. There isn't kosher hour in the cafeteria, when only Jews are allowed in to eat. They eat at the same time as everybody else, but just have their own small space. Imagine if Jews demanded to close the cafeteria while they ate, because they felt uncomfortable watching others eat pig. It would be seen as ridiculous and so is this whole debate. These women should either try to find a time where many don't work out or find a women's only club, of which I'm sure one is nearby. Others shouldn't have to suffer because of other's beliefs.

Aaron's blog also has to somewhat deal with this debate. He says that Westerners shouldn't tell others how to run their country, which is a valid point, so to should people with different values not tell others how to run their institutions.