The problem is that not all groups want to assimilate to the European culture. So we have women being harassed if they are wearing shorts - because the immigrant men come from cultures where women don't show that much skin. However, why should European women have to cover themselves up in their own country?

My parents are from India, and I never thought twice about wearing shorts in the US, but then we visited India and it was eye-opening to me how many of the men cannot deal with seeing bare legs. And I was wearing culottes, not shorts, so it was just my calves that were exposed! Fortunately I was with my family and so the men just stared from a distance, but I felt intimidated.

It's even worse in majority Muslim countries, though, as anyone who has traveled to that part of the world can tell you. You can get arrested in places like Iran for showing your hair!

None of this is racist - it is culturally aware. It shows respect for their culture to cover your hair, for example. But respect should work both ways. When French women cannot wear chic skirts in parts of their native cities, or when they cannot wear bikinis... that doesn't seem respectful of their culture.

I am a brown skinned woman and I am very much against discrimination, but I think we should strive for mutual respect of different cultures.