meant to suggest that no women anywhere or at any previous time have ever spoken up about veiling before

Well, let me clarify something: I never thought this has not been discussed about and fought over for years and years (long before I was born even). Coming from one of those "male supremacist Christian sects" I know full well what it's like to fight against the oppressive norms created by and enforced by men (and to an extent, of course, other women as well).

I have read many a book, article, report and column about the battles (both lost and won ones) women are still today having regarding the misogyny especially in fundamental religious movements. I don't want to sound like an asshole, but in this context I must use the "I'm sorry you misunderstood me" because my intention was not to imply there NEVER was any pushback and/or solidarity regarding this.

The fact is, though, that lately talking about any issue regarding especially the misogynist and oppressive nature of Islam (or rather, to clarify, certain orthodox movements within Islam) have been figuratively and literally banned on most feminist platforms. At least the ones I have been on. I understand some facets of the "we cannot condemn!" due to 911 and the shitshow that followed - however, as usual, the ah, so very American bipartisan, one-eyed, non-nuanced discussion culture took over every group, platform, and space: effectively making it impossible to even suggest that there might be something oppressive in Islam.

Your text comes across as quite condescending, and I have to say my original post did not offer much background or any further context - so it's understandable it could be easily read as "wE'Ve nEveR taLKed AbOuT ThiS" instead of, can we "start talking about this again."

This specific topic has been grinding my gears for YEARS now - the talk-bans and literally kicking people out of groups because they dared suggest that veils in any form could be misogynistic was usually enough. It went as far as "we (white, Christian background) Western feminists cannot speak for the brown women," and THAT effectively meant that one couldn't really even show support for the women who were (and STILL ARE) fighting for their right to NOT put on any religious garment if they choose not to. Like I said, I personally happen to have grown up in a religious sect that is pretty much ultra-fundamentalist Islam - just happens to be a Christian sect.

So to me this feels personal as well. I am not going to shut up about this anymore, or dance around the subject - I am goddamn ready to finally show open support to the brave girls and women all over the world where Islamism (and any oppressive religion) is still locking them into metaphorical (and sometimes real) cages and shutting them up. I hope that clarified what I meant by my post.

(Lessons learned - I will try not to post something without any added context in the future).