Covering: The Hidden Assault on Our Civil Rights

I did not miss the point of this book, that we should be free to express ourselves as we see fit. I do disagree with much of it, however. Throughout all ages and societies, there have been norms of behavior and action. Are all of these right? No. Not all of them are wrong, however.

I do not disagree that there are individuals in our society who feel oppressed. I agree that we should be able to express ourselves. We should feel free to embrace what we enjoy.

However, to what extent should this expression extend? Should anyone be allowed to wear anything anywhere they want? Should an individual be able to act however they want in any circumstance?

Conforming to societal norms, as frustrating as that may be to some, is a fundamental aspect of living in a society. Indeed, one could make a sound argument that without norms one doesn't even have a society. Have these norms at times been obsessive and suffocating, such as in the Victorian era? Yes. But the answer to these problems isn't a free-for-all of public behaviors and actions.

To have a functioning, healthy society, there are norms which must be adhered to. As society evolves, so do these norms. However, there are still norms, and as such there will be individuals which must cover the fact they do not adhere to those norms. No matter what the societal rule set, individuals will always have to hide some aspect of their personality.

Suppose we had the fully-open society proposed in this book, where no covering took place. What of the private individual who likes to keep to themselves, who doesn't wish to live a life on display? Would they not be forced to cover that aspect of their personality in order to live in a society based upon complete and total openness?

I found many aspects of this book quite interesting and useful. As a child who was gifted and enjoyed poetry, I was forced to “cover” those aspects of my personality to fit in. In that regard, I get it.

Where I don't “get it” is in believing that a workplace which asks employees to leave their personal lives at home is somehow discriminatory. I have a work life and a home life. Why must the two meet somehow?