The question is, how and why for that matter would the Woman’s chess Championship’s be held in Iran? Is political correctness so blind to think this is a good way to appease a totalitarian government by submitting to the country’s archaic laws?
Nazi Paikidze, the reigning US Women’s Chess Champion, swore to boycott the 2017 contest because she was told, she will have to wear the hijab when in the country. Paikidze is a brave young lady to take a stand for herself and the women of Iran.
The best-ranked female chess player in the United States has said she would rather sacrifice her career than submit to demands to wear a hijab at the next world championship.
Paikidze admitted that the decision will harm her career, but said that doing the bidding of an oppressive regime in order to compete is not a price worth paying.
In an interview with the founder of My Stealthy Freedom, a campaign against Iran’s hijab laws, she said: “I will NOT wear a hijab and support women’s oppression. Even if it means missing one of the most important competitions of my career.”
She is sticking to her guns despite attempts from chess officials to silence her.
Susan Polar, who chairs the women’s committee of the international chess governing body, told Paikidze to keep her objections to herself in a tense exchange on Twitter. Why is this? Would you not think Ms. Polar would side with the Chess Champion in this matter? I question the committee chairman’s motives. There seems to be more to this than meets the eye. What do you think?
What do you think?