Scarves can be worn many different ways for many different purposes despite the reason why other people think that they wear it.

It may be a symbol of oppression, but as an 'armor' it's also a great deterrent to, AND symbol of, how shitty men can be.

If I were a woman, and I could prevent 1 shitty interaction by one shitty person even though everyone else was nice by wearing something to deter the shitty person, I'd wear it.

It's a item that represent subjugation, or something someone choses to wear because if fulfills a specific purpose.

Either way, I treat them with respect and kindness, because unless I specifically walk up to them and ask why they're wearing it, I'll only have a half informed opinion of their specific circumstance.

That said, with this polar vortex going on, I'm wearing my own 'burka' in the form of a balaclava, and I have to say, that from a certain standpoint, I kinda get it. Asides from all the symbollism that other people may assign to it, people kinda leave me alone when I wear it. Not that they'd normally talk to me anyways, but when it comes to the person walking around the store selling me a credit card, or just regular sales associates, even though I've pulled it down to show my face like a teletubbie, I get my space.

It's nice. I even now get it when I see asian people who walk around with surgical masks. Are they really sick, or do they want to be left alone?