The Choice is Yours...
The topic of the Hijab is such a tricky topic for me. Many people believe wearing the Hijab is a form of oppression for all Muslim Arab Women. Many people believe it is forced upon every Muslim Arab Women. Which is not true for every Middle Eastern country except in Iran, and Afghanistan, then in Saudi Arabia it is not required by law, but women are still dress coded heavily. However, no where in the Quran does it specifically say women have to wear it. The choice is up to a woman if she wants to wear it or not. It is suggested in the Quran to wear it as a form of protection for women and the outside world. Now this is where it gets tricky for me because women should not have to fully dress themselves up as a way to be protected. Women should be able to wear whatever they want and what they are wearing should not be an excuse of why certain situations happen to many women in society. Women should be free to express themselves however they choose to regardless.
What is it like to be an Arab woman?
I'm so glad you asked
It's like never being able to show your true identity, always wearing a mask
You're told to remain pure and always stand by the man
Even if he's wrong it's not your place to understand
Make sure to always wrap yourself up don't ever let anyone see or touch
Cause once you've been touched you won't be considered too much
You're used goods now
Your life is nothing to endow
Those who are not part of the Arab culture laugh and joke
They ask, "So when's your father gonna sell you for 2 goats?"
Leading with, "Nah with those exotic looks he better sell you for a camel."
I an Arab woman regret ever going along with these jokes even though it was something I was able to handle
I've let my people down by not defending them because this is some true stuff that many Middle Eastern women go through
Learn to watch what you're saying owning up to your ignorance don't act like you didn't have a clue
Asking me, "Did you know Bin Laden?"
"Was he your uncle or maybe the man waiting for your hand I heard he was asking."
"Y'all would be cute together blowing stuff up. I mean that's all you Arabs know what to do is disrupt."
Asking me if anyone I knew has ever been stoned
And not by weed but by a rock that was thrown
You think it's a joke Hahaha keep me laughing
But put yourself in an Arab woman's shoes and all those jokes you say you would think twice before cracking
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Differences
I am different there's no doubt about it
I am different and I won't try to hide it
I am different and it's no coincidence
I am different and I am deserving of my existence
My culture, my looks, my heritage might not match yours
But that does not give you the right to tell me my life is less than yours
you tell me I'm wrong when all I'm trying to do what is right
Not only for me but for everyone, so we all can ignite our light
despite our differences for I am still human
It hurts when you say my way of life is just a confusion
When did it become okay to judge others?
Making us go against one another
We are all the same biologically
the only thing that makes us different is you are you and I am me ethnologically
So don't tell me I'm wrong
For living my life and just trying to belong
To a society that has so much influences
In a world that's made up of many differences
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It's Okay?
We gave people guns and all hell broke loose
We watched like it was okay when we were putting innocent people in a noose
America can we please wake up
Allow yourself to open your eyes and realize how our society is so corrupt
We are supposed to be the leading nation
But we can't even accept our own people because of differentiation
We expect ourselves to help others
But how can we do that when our own country doesn't accept our own sisters and brothers
Our country represents freedom and liberty for all
But last time I checked that's not what everyone in America can recall
We look the other way when we see our people getting harassed in the streets
We look the other way when we see our people starving just trying to eat
We seemed to have forgotten that "This land is your land this land is my land"
Cause when it comes to land everyone becomes greedy trying to take it putting out their hand
We forgot what it means to be human
Being able to care for one another is now nothing but an illusion
It's time to awaken
Turning the nightmare society has created into a dream that will help the world that we have misshapen
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Race
The concept of race can be such a controversial topic. Especially for people who can't really identify with the race they are labeled as. For example, I am an Arab woman and when I am told to choose my race I am classified as White. However, I do not see myself as a White individual because how can I identify with this race if they do not accept me as an Arab? This has been a question I have had for most of my life and have struggled with really getting answers for side race is such a socially constructed aspect in our society.
I Am Palestine
Many people tend to forget about Palestine and the many Palestinian lives that have been taken. In 1967 the occupation of the Palestinian people began. The Israeli military forced Palestinians to leave their country since it was considered to belong to the Israeli's now. Many Palestinians refused to leave their home and their land which resulted the Israeli military to commit heinous actions towards the Palestinians. The United States decided to back up the occupation. Helping the Israeli's forcefully take land that is not theirs and murder many innocent Palestinian people. This conflict is still an issue in the present day that rarely gets acknowledged like it should.
Questions, Comments, or Concerns
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