There’s been a noteworthy discussion on social media and
other media outlets on a subject that’s dear to my heart. Muslims in America. Specifically
Muslim American women and their place in western culture. I was very intrigued by this discussion and was
actually quite excited. Thoughts like “finally someone noticed us” and “took
long enough” ran through my head.
If you hadn’t guessed yet, I’m talking about the mipsterz
video. A video depicting young Muslim women wearing hijabs while in tune with
western culture and Jay Z’s “Somewhere in America” playing in the
background. The video was discussed by
Muslims and non-Muslims alike, but for some reason I’ve seen more negativity towards it from Muslims. To me the video was
empowering. These young women were enjoying themselves. Muslim Americans who
represented both their Islamic and western cultures. I saw myself in those girls.
The energy, the youthfulness, the desires and goals they have I share too.
But we also share the same struggles. Being a Muslim woman
in America means every move you’re making is being watched. People are
interested in your hijab. Are you oppressed? Are you quiet? Do you have a voice? A free mind? Are you allowed to
have fun? On the other hand, Muslims are also watching you. Do you wear a
hijab? If not why don’t you? If you do then why aren’t you doing it “right”?
Are you Muslim enough? It’s unfortunate to say I’ve got more hate from Muslims
than I’ve ever got from non-Muslims. People discuss a Muslim women’s wardrobe
like it’s gonna solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Suddenly the pants you
wear are more important to others than what’s in your heart. You get judged and
looked up and down at for the most mundane choices. Instead of realizing
that religion is a journey and we’re all on different parts of said journey,
some like to belittle your efforts. They want you to be perfect as if they’ve reached
perfection themselves. They want to see a woman who lives by the Quran word for
word when reality is that’s not easy at all. What many Muslims don’t realize is
that if you’ve been born and brought up in a western culture your mannerism and
clothes will reflect that. You become a member of two cultures. You’re Muslim
AND western, and that’s not wrong or something I’d ever be ashamed of. America raised me. My parents raised me. And
you cannot expect to find traces of one and not the other in my character and
way of life.
Muslim American women do exist. We’re different. We dress,
act, speak, and express ourselves differently. But we’re also tied together by
our religion and our American identity. And it’s that tie that should make us
more tolerant of each other and more understanding of one another’s struggles. We’re
all trying to find ourselves. No matter the race, religion, gender or age, we
are all trying our best to figure ourselves out before our time is over. The
Muslim American woman is also trying to figure herself out and has a culture of
her own. It’s time she’s recognized by
both the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds.
We exist. Get over it.
And don’t kill our vibe.
Peace and much love to y’all <3
