As maybe, most of you guys know by now, I wear
a scarf on my head because I chose to for my religion, Islam. By the way it’s
called a Hijab. I know, it’s a much prettier name. Also, everyone I ever met
always has questions about it. So, after thinking long and hard about what to
write for this blog, I decided to answer some of the questions that I always
get. So, just sit back, relax, and enjoy some free knowledge.
· Yes, I have hair. I don’t stuff socks behind my bald head to get
the perfect bun that I have.
· No, I don’t wear my scarf in the shower. How else can I get my
luscious hair to smell so good? (Like any of you guys could know that).
· No, I am not a terrorist. I swear to you guys, Islam is not a
religion that wants to bring harm to everyone.
· No, Osama Bin Laden is not my uncle. I promise, not all Muslims are
terrorists and not all terrorists are Muslims.
· Yes, my family can see me without the scarf. After all, they are my
blood, right?
· Also, girls can see me without the scarf too, but guys can’t. That
would be extremely sad if my own gender can’t even see me without it.
· Yes, my legs are very, very white. Since, they never do get
sunlight; you can probably get blinded by the whiteness of them.
· Yes, I am Arab, Egyptian actually. No we don’t dance that
stereotypical dance with our arms. (I know you guys know which dance I’m
talking about).
· Yes, I do get hot, but I’m used to it. I mean come on, who doesn’t
get hot in this California weather!
· Yes, I have my ears pierced and I like to do my hair sometimes. It
really doesn’t matter that no one can see it. All that matters is my opinion on
how hot I look.
· Yes, I can hear you when you talk to me. (I actually got this
question).
· No, my parents didn’t throw a scarf on my head the second I came
out of my mother’s womb.
I can honestly go on forever about all the
questions I have gotten in my past. Usually, most of the questions I get are
just super racist and ignorant (if you haven’t noticed in my list), but I
realized that I have to deal with it, because everywhere you go, you’re going
to have to deal with these types of people. Just remember; never ever let those
people get under your skin because you are always going to be a much better
person than they are.
40 comments:
Alia, this was an amazing read. I liked how you incorporated humor into this piece. I smiled at the statement on the last bullet point. It is true that everywhere we go, we will always be asked questions about the way we look. Your attitude towards these types of situations is very inspiring and it reminded me about how we should always be happy and stand up for who we are. You did an amazing job!!
I really respect this entry. I have witnessed many woman with hijab and most don't get treated equally. When I was in middle school, a girl in my class reached the age to finally wear a hijab. She got bullied for it numerous times and I was always there for her. Society can be very ugly sometimes. So putting this entry out, gives more knowledge to them. Thank you for sharing :) -Leia S, period 6
Alia, I freakin' loved this submission and I love you even more!! Your sarcastic humor was laced all throughout the piece and had me laughing from start to finish. I straight up laughed out loud when I read the sentence about "how hot you are." I can totally picture you saying that!! After reading this, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to call you friend.
-Christina Tapia (your long-lost cousin) :)
Nice job Alia. I was immediately intrigued by the subject you wrote about, a sensitive but telling subject about the reason you wear a Hijab. The questions and answers you provided kept me interested and entertained such as the fourth question on the list; but it also reveals the ignorant and immature remarks that people have toward the Islamic religion. Your ability to ignore and disregard these types of reponses really demonstrates the strong character that you hold. Great story.
I can relate to how you feel. I am not Muslim though ( I'm christian) but i get criticized and asked different dumb questions on my race and ethnicity since i am African. I wasn't necessarily born there, but my family (including mom and dad ) come from Nigeria, and i embrace it. But i don't think religion or race has to do with who you are , just what lies within you and whats in your heart. Plus i have Muslim friends and i love them just like i would love anyone else. :)
~Funmi Sule
Per.2 / 3:26 pm
4/23/14
That was great. i loved the humor in it. But i cant believe some of the questions people have asked you thats so inconsiderate, ignorant, rude and well i could go on but i wont. But that was really good i liked it alot. and i actually didnt know it was called a Hijab. i guess you really do learn something new everyday. But really good job!
-Alexandra Urena
I truly admire you're optimism and confidence. Despite the comments and questions you receive you seem almost unaffected. I'm sorry that people don't respect your religion and religion in general to let people be but, I'm so glad you're strong enough to live with it. Also the humor added to your piece and made it seem really personal as it revealed the type of person you are. Good job.
This was a good writing. I like how you put your opinion and feeling into it. I like the information. Nice work.
- Marchi Boggio
I love how you took this topic and made it something that would crack a smile with all of us! This can definitely be a topic that frustrates many, but the bubbly attitude you took towards it showed all of the readers the wonderful, strong personality of yours. The way you had your answers on the bullets made the questions people ask you very obvious and silly, adding onto the comedic factor. But while also doing that, the way you taught us a valuable lesson in the end, is simply amazing. Kudos to you!
These questions are funny. I would have a hard time answering people if they asked me these questions. It is great that you are so dedicated to your beliefs and it is great that you picked this as a topic for your blog entry because it helps the rest of us to become a little bit more cultured, which in life is always helpful. Nice work!
I admire you so much Alia! Your title is was drew me to read your post. After reading it, I cannot believe the experiences you must have gone through. Also, the experiences that many Muslims unfortunately face. However, you are a strong, beautiful woman for continuing to stand by your religion and maturely dealing with such absurd questions. Thank you for sharing this with us!
-Hennessy Verduzco
After I finished reading this, I began to think about the book I'm currently reading, A Thousand Splendid Suns. I'm sure you know what the book is about but if not, it does have the tradition of women wearing a hijab because it''s set in the middle east. Anyways, I could comprehend on how annoying it might get with some people being ignorant and all but it's just curiosity. Your blog was pretty funny though, especially the white leg part. Thanks for sharing your secret life, good job!
Its amazing on how mean people can be. I know i can not relate but i hear people be mean and say stuff. So keep being strong and dont let no one take you down.
Ashleigh Perez
This was a nice approach to the blog. I honestly admire your culture and I think its so beautiful. Its sad that people really ask dumb questions and try to be funny. But its great that you embrace who you are.
Hey thanks for doing this because racism inst cool at all it dumb and there's no point to it. You dint even have to answer these dumb questions and I cant stand to read that you get asked these questions. Racism Can start by us and can end by usBecuase we are what make the difference in the world.
~Gabe Sandes
This is amazing Alia! I loved how you were able to make this funny and I honestly laughed out loud after I read some of them. I respect that you're able to take the ignorance of some people and turn it into a beautiful piece. Good job!
This was too perfect. I'm not sure I learned much (does that mean I'm not racist!!??) but it was really entertaining! You have hair! You were not born with a scarf! This was amazingly informative, Alia. Thank you for sharing with us your lack of terrorist tendencies. I think that was the most amazing part of all. Haha. Aside from that, I'm glad you posted this to clear up a couple of the stereotypes associated with the life you live. It was very fun to read.
I really like how you wrote this: it's quick and humorous while maintaining and underlying tone of disapproval toward the ignorance in our population. As I read this, I was laughing and thinking at the same time that the decision to wear your Hijab has only made you stronger. I find that admirable in addition to your ability to translate your observations and maybe even anger toward the people who have asked some of these ridiculous questions into this witty, sarcastic blog for people to read. Great job!
Wow I loved this ! Showing the world personal experiences can open up society to be more aware of what is going on. Very well put an organized. Good Job.
I LOVE THIS ALIA! I remember you telling me that you were gonna write your blog entry about your hijab, and had no idea how amazing this would be and how much I would enjoy it! I loved the sarcasm you included into the piece to make some people realize how many of their questions towards you don't even make sense sometimes! I love your whole attitude about the situation though, because instead of getting mad and irritated, you make the questions you get into something funny and light-hearted and that's not easy to do! Great job! :)
Stereotyping obviously isn't a funny topic, but ithought your submission was hilarious in a way that made me look down upon the ignorant people that asked you those ridiculous questions. I'm glad that you wrote about your culture; pride and self-confidence are important qualities that are hard to come by, and you glow with them. Anyways, I seriously laughed out loud at most of the things you wrote. Great job, I feel like even though not everybody is Muslim, everybody can relate to stereotyping.
I'm afraid our generation won't live to see a world without prejudice. It's the sad reality of how slowly we are progressing. Your list simply comes down to the fact that you are human too and that we aren't all that different. People spend so much energy looking for ways people are different instead of how we are the same. I hope your list makes some ignorant people see that, and maybe makes their head spin as well.
-Kevin McCondichie
It is truly terrible that you have to answer some of these questions nut I love the way you took a light-hearted approach instead of being harsh and harboring anger about it. I also love how you continue to wear your hijab because of your dedication to your religion; i can appreciate when somebody stands strong in their faith.Good job!
This was a satirical blog submission. It was an attack on the stereotypical, racist American society we live in and was quite funny at some moments.(from the ridiculous questions you have been asked, not saying the racist questions are funny). Great job and a creative choice for your blog submission.
Your sarcasm seeps through this blog and I flipping (excuse my language) love it! I remember asking you an ignorant question Freshmen year and I am so sorry! Hopefully now you realize the questions that I ask you are because I am interested and curious. Anyways, I am so glad you were able to answer the questions with humor, because hello, that's who you are :)
Taylor Robles
I liked this submission, I felt as though I was having a laid back conversation with a friend. It's cool you're so open about the questions, because a lot of us were wondering, thanks for the story.
I love this piece because I felt that it was very informative to many people but also held a lot of sarcasm which made it hilarious! I love learning about other cultures so I really enjoyed reading this piece and learning different things about your hijab and your religion. I also found it to be very amusing :) Great Job!
Bailey Lynch
AHHAHAHA I died at the Egyptian dance part and started doing the dance myself. You're so freaking funny Alia I love you so much! The sarcasm really brings out people's ignorance..."Can you hear me through the scarf?" What...who even...
Anyways I read this and could automatically hear that signature "ARRRGH" noise you make. Couldn't help but smile when I read it. :) Although I don't wear a scarf, I think the topic of stereotyping is extremely relatable and although you wrote this in a lighthearted manner, we should take this to heart and educate ourselves on other people's cultures. Good job Alia!:)
This entry was very intriguing, entertaining, and interesting to read. The humor kept me entertained throughout the question and answers. Overall Nice Job.
-Cody Molla period 5
ALIA THIS WAS AWESOME!!! I'm a big fan of sarcasm and there's so much here it just makes my day! I really enjoyed how you use humor to address some really ignorant questions. It really sucks that you even have to answer dumb questions like those but the fact that you're able to do so without letting them bother you says a lot.
This was very good. I like how you used sarcasm and satire in the piece. It was like a big "screw you" to all those ignorant people. It is a shame you have to deal with that. We have all witnessed these things first hand, and many of us have even said some of those things. Sometimes this world is a really horrible and rude place. Your writing brings some much needed light to the world and puts some goodness back in it.
"Yes, I can hear you when you talk to me." WHY DID THIS MAKE ME LAUGH SO HARD! The satire in this made it completely. I can sense the annoyance you have, and your smart remarks are like the best defensive mechanism against stupid. I feel you are a lot like me, and handle dumb with sarcasm. Funny and a good read.
Alia, you are so hilarious and this piece was truly great. I admire that you decided to write about something so important and meaningful to you. It must be irritating at times having to deal with those types of questions and the fact that you answered these in a comedic way just made your piece all the more enjoyable. Good job!
Alexandra Aguilar
period 1
When people see you wearing a head scarf they probably get all these crazy ideas running through their head, when really there is nothing different about them. Yes, everyone is a unique individual, is "one in a million", a "snowflake", and all those cliche "I'm different" statements, but a person who wears a head scarf is usually just as normal as everyone else. When I see you Alia, I don't see a head scarf; I see a beautiful person with awesome eyebrows and a superb fashion sense. Props to you for sticking to your religion and not letting ignorant people bother you!
This is uplifting in the way that you don't let what other people say bother you. I personally think Hijabs are beautiful and that people should just get over the fact that others wear them. I don't really see how a piece of clothing can announce whether or not someone is terrorist; I guess we just have to accept the ignorance of those who don't understand. But enough of my ranting. I like your use of humor throughout your story - I feel like it showed a lot of your personality. Good use of diction and narration.
Oh alia! This blog seemed like I was just talking to you during lunch or something. Haha! This was honestly a really funny blog and it portrayed how you are as a person as well. You did a great job writing this personal statement and really shows how amazing you are for being able to turn the other cheek despite the struggles I know you have to go through because you stand out, and I say that with the total respect! (WELL YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT ANYWAYS! HAHA!) Love you girl! #habibihijabi <3
This was really freaking great, Alia. When I read the title I thought that you were going to just keep things informative, but this was honestly the funniest blog I've read all year. I seriously died laughing when you said Osama bin Laden was not your uncle. Aside from the humor, however, I really loved how you showed that people are going to be ignorant, and racist, and cruel, but their words can't get to you. Your strength is really quite admirable. Fantastic Job!
YESSS.
I’m so happy that you and Trevor wrote about issues touching the area of discrimination. Ignorant people are indeed out there, but I’m glad that you attempted to put that ignorance to rest. And I LOVE your whole “I don’t care what people say, I’m proud of who I am” ideal that I sensed in your tone and diction, especially because you speak directly to the audience.
I’m glad to say that I haven’t dealt with-mind my language-idiotic and ignorant questions regarding my ethnicity-at least recently. However, when I was younger, I used to walk with my younger cousin from school to home and there was always another pair of kids taking the same route as us every day. I still remember their remarks about the light brown/nearing yellow skin tone of my complexion, and my cousin. They ignorantly mocked us and called us Chinese. Thankfully I don’t remember their exact words to this day, as I was only about nine to eleven years old. All I remember is how low I’d felt, and it wasn’t just the sense of insecurity, pain, sorrow, disbelief, or anger--it was a combination of all of that. And having to walk my younger sibling made me feel responsible for protecting him against any harm we had to face on our walks home.
The fact that this happened almost a decade ago and I can still feel all those emotions when I think about it, is horrible. I don’t think people can realize how much of what they say can hurt others. I love you for being able to address it to the public and show us how this issue is still important, but how it’s just as important to love who you are despite what others may [falsely] believe. Knowing that you put up with such ignorance consistently like this, shows the audience how strong you are, and I can hear it in your tone as well.
Fantastic job Alia. If I were grading your post, this would most definitely be an A+.
Holy crap! This was really good! You took a difficult topic and made it easy to talk about by using humor. This was a really good choice because it lets us see you as you really are, and that's the point of this blog entry. You achieved your purpose so effortlessly, I'm jealous. Thanks for the FREE knowledge!
JOEL GUZMAN
So I love this blog! It was actually really funny it made me laugh a lot! Because even though I do not wear a scarf on my head I know that you guys get all these stupid questions. It also makes me realize that it must be really annoying getting all these stupid questions. Also what should it matter if you wear the scarf on your head you are beautiful with or without it and if you don't want to answer these questions then don't! Great story it made me realize how stupid people can be just because you're different than everyone else.
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