From Hoodies 2 Hijabs

With the media clamoring over the murder of Trayvon Martin and his "hooded" supporters, another injustice has failed to garner the attention it deserves. Last Friday (March 23), Shaima Al Awadi was beaten to death in her San Diego, California home. Article linkThe 32 year old, married mother of 5 immigrated to the US in 1993. Hate notes had been found telling her to go back to her country and targeting her as a terrorist. While law officials are trying to determine if she was targeted because of her ethnicity or her religion, it is obvious that our country is still suffering from a large amount of ignorance towards Islam.


Identified by her hijab and "Arab" features, I can only imagine the kind of attention Shaima garnered. While I've never met the woman, I felt an instant connection to her struggle (much like my instant connection to Trayvon). As a practicing Muslim, I've always been extremely aware of the mis-education of the world (including the "Muslim" world) about the faith I willingly follow. When out with my wife, a fellow hijabi (she wears the hijab), I cant help but notice the looks we receive. Though there have been many positive efforts made to place attention on the negative stereotyping of Muslims (the show "American Muslim" does NOT count!!!), it is obvious there is still a ways to go.Too many people still associate the image of a hijabi with oppression and backward thinking in the "Muslim World". They think of planes flying into buildings, suicide bombers, and public executions. As far from the truth as this is, we shouldn't so be surprised about the response of most people.


Societies are built upon images. People show their values and identities through the images in which they choose (knowingly or unknowingly) to associate. In turn these images create like-identified communities and from there informal social classes. Fair or not, what you wear (or don't wear) pegs you into an identity. Don't believe me? When's the last time you felt threatened after you walked by a group of white kids wearing Ralph Lauren, khakis, and Sperrys? Now, change that image to a group young hispanic males wearing baggy t-shirts, sagging pants, baseball caps, and sneakers. Get my point? Now, before you start getting defensive, realize that it's not your fault. Generally, we cannot control our initial responses to an image. However, it is our second and third responses that hold us accountable.

So what does this tell us? Are we all doomed to a life of endless bigotry and negative stereotyping? The resounding answer is "No!" Most people do their best to ignore their initial fears. We all live in a society that forces us to integrate with people of various backgrounds. This provides us with opportunities to examine our preconcieved notions and develop new positive opinions. With that said, there are still people who refuse to alienate their negative perspectives. And, it is these people who make the most noise.

To the ignorant, the hoodie is no different than the hijab. It's just another sign of something different. Something foreign. Therefore, it's a threat. The media, being the monster that it is, feeds off of these fears and creates speculation and worry. Often backed by political agenda, this fear ends up justifying the degredation of many subgroups (i.e, Patriot Act, pre-Civil Rights Movement America, etc..). In the '70s, it was the afro, tye dye, and hippie culture that sparked fear; and took attention away from the horrors of Vietnam. Today, it is hip hop culture and anything "Arab looking" that unnerve the majority of society ; justifying two wars and the documented attack of law authorities on young black and hispanic males. Maybe ten years from now we will be afraid of polo clad waves of suburban children. Afraid of them leading a revolution with their laptops, smart phones, and plaid and pastel shorts. Regardless, there will always be something to fear. Always something to run away from or remove.

Until we decide confront the realities of our individual prejudices, we will never have the model "democratic" society in which we claim to live. Shaima Alawadi was not a terrorist. She was a: mother, wife, immigrant, law abiding citizen, and follower of the Islamic faith. Her hijab made her a target, no different from Trayvon's hoodie. However, if the only answer to the problem is a Geraldo-esque, "Maybe, it was their fault for wearing it", then we are all going to have to accept a very boring dress code.