By Eaman Zayed
"Did you see that terrorist?"
"I wonder what she has hiding underneath that towel on her head."
"I wonder what type of disease she is carrying, why else would she she covered from head to toe?"
"Aren't you hot in all of those clothes?"
"Does your husband/brother/father beat you at home?"
"Why are you wearing a sheet on your head?"
"Why are you covered like that in this hot weather?"
"Are you that disgustingly repulsive, that you have to cover from head to toe?"
When you first take a glance at me: I seem intimidating. I am considered a "Big girl." I am 5'11 and built stocky, wide shoulders and hips to match. I have high cheekbones and and arches in my eyebrows. What what you can't see is that I have thick ombre colored hair, in which I have my have my stylist layer with every haircut. Yes, I cut and dye my hair, just like any other woman does. I am just like any other female out there: I just choose to cover my beauty.
These are the types of questions I am bombarded with on a daily basis. Even though some of these questions are not directed at me, they are definitely within earshot, and intended for me. Muslim females that cover with the hijab, the cloth that is wrapped around their head, have coined the term "Hijabi" for themselves. There are numerous styles for the hijabi's, and each has their own sense of fashion taste. Don't get me wrong, but if everyone is entitled to wear whatever they want, then why should it be a problem if a woman decides to hide her beauty? Why does there have to be judgement on how a person decides to dress? Why can't anyone practice their religion in peace? Why is it that choosing to cover my beauty is oppression? Isn't taking off your clothes to sell a product, in order to please the consumer a form of oppression? Apparently if I chose to cover up, then I am forcing the individual to view me for who I really am: to face me; not my body when they speak with me. If they are unable to see what is hiding underneath my clothes, then they must give me credit for being a human being: not a piece of meat.
to be continued...
"Did you see that terrorist?"
"I wonder what she has hiding underneath that towel on her head."
"I wonder what type of disease she is carrying, why else would she she covered from head to toe?"
"Aren't you hot in all of those clothes?"
"Does your husband/brother/father beat you at home?"
"Why are you wearing a sheet on your head?"
"Why are you covered like that in this hot weather?"
"Are you that disgustingly repulsive, that you have to cover from head to toe?"
When you first take a glance at me: I seem intimidating. I am considered a "Big girl." I am 5'11 and built stocky, wide shoulders and hips to match. I have high cheekbones and and arches in my eyebrows. What what you can't see is that I have thick ombre colored hair, in which I have my have my stylist layer with every haircut. Yes, I cut and dye my hair, just like any other woman does. I am just like any other female out there: I just choose to cover my beauty.
These are the types of questions I am bombarded with on a daily basis. Even though some of these questions are not directed at me, they are definitely within earshot, and intended for me. Muslim females that cover with the hijab, the cloth that is wrapped around their head, have coined the term "Hijabi" for themselves. There are numerous styles for the hijabi's, and each has their own sense of fashion taste. Don't get me wrong, but if everyone is entitled to wear whatever they want, then why should it be a problem if a woman decides to hide her beauty? Why does there have to be judgement on how a person decides to dress? Why can't anyone practice their religion in peace? Why is it that choosing to cover my beauty is oppression? Isn't taking off your clothes to sell a product, in order to please the consumer a form of oppression? Apparently if I chose to cover up, then I am forcing the individual to view me for who I really am: to face me; not my body when they speak with me. If they are unable to see what is hiding underneath my clothes, then they must give me credit for being a human being: not a piece of meat.
to be continued...