I feel a bit liberated wearing the hijab lately

[Anonymous]

I moved to a new state recently and decided to start wearing a hijab (covering my hair). When you think of the hijab, you probably don’t think “political”. Or “independent”. Or “empowered”. Feminist? In a society where our value seems to be based on looks I think covering your hair and dressing modest can be an alterative to avoid this. Woman/sex combination is everywhere.. especially instagram.. it's like soft porn. Everywhere it seems there are ads for enhancing your ass... and lots of people have become obsessed with taking photos of themselves.. Wearing hijab is not the only way to express my feelings and frustrations; but knowing that our interpretation of liberal culture embraces, if not encourages, uncovering, covering up is a way to reject that. I do not believe that the hair in itself is that important; this is not about protection from men’s lusts. It is me telling the world that my femininity is not available for public consumption. I am taking control of it, and I don’t want to be part of a system that reduces and demeans women. I really believe that a non-Muslim woman could do this if she chose to. I know longer worry about face wrinkles on my forehead because the scarf covers them or my hair as much. I still color my hair and get haircuts but I don't worry about styling it everyday. I speak as a woman who just happens to come from the Islamic faith. I also noticed I worry less about my clothing.

[Anonymous]

Well, goody for you.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Hey I sincerely am glad you posted this. I’m happy for you! Instagram is such a drain and friends getting Botox are boring as heck. I’ll think of you the next time I see a hijab and will have extra perspective

[Anonymous]

It should help with preventing skin cancer.

[Anonymous]

OMG. Just become a nun already

[Anonymous]

Women of all religions covered hair in public for eons.

[Anonymous]

I've known enough women from traditional religions that feel this way that it's unsurprising. Liberal culture should be accepting of women making choices that work for them like this. You and I probably don't see eye to eye on a lot of social issues, I'm in a same sex marriage to someone trans, but I'm happy if this works for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I moved to a new state recently and decided to start wearing a hijab (covering my hair). When you think of the hijab, you probably don’t think “political”. Or “independent”. Or “empowered”. Feminist? In a society where our value seems to be based on looks I think covering your hair and dressing modest can be an alterative to avoid this. Woman/sex combination is everywhere.. especially instagram.. it's like soft porn. Everywhere it seems there are ads for enhancing your ass... and lots of people have become obsessed with taking photos of themselves.. Wearing hijab is not the only way to express my feelings and frustrations; but knowing that our interpretation of liberal culture embraces, if not encourages, uncovering, covering up is a way to reject that. I do not believe that the hair in itself is that important; this is not about protection from men’s lusts. It is me telling the world that my femininity is not available for public consumption. I am taking control of it, and I don’t want to be part of a system that reduces and demeans women. I really believe that a non-Muslim woman could do this if she chose to. I know longer worry about face wrinkles on my forehead because the scarf covers them or my hair as much. I still color my hair and get haircuts but I don't worry about styling it everyday. I speak as a woman who just happens to come from the Islamic faith. I also noticed I worry less about my clothing.

I am so confused by your message. Why not to move to Oman, Saudi Arabia or Iran to tell that to the world? I think that would be much more powerful statement. There are many ways for a woman to let themselves down. Yours is just one of many. Glad it helped with your anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I moved to a new state recently and decided to start wearing a hijab (covering my hair). When you think of the hijab, you probably don’t think “political”. Or “independent”. Or “empowered”. Feminist? In a society where our value seems to be based on looks I think covering your hair and dressing modest can be an alterative to avoid this. Woman/sex combination is everywhere.. especially instagram.. it's like soft porn. Everywhere it seems there are ads for enhancing your ass... and lots of people have become obsessed with taking photos of themselves.. Wearing hijab is not the only way to express my feelings and frustrations; but knowing that our interpretation of liberal culture embraces, if not encourages, uncovering, covering up is a way to reject that. I do not believe that the hair in itself is that important; this is not about protection from men’s lusts. It is me telling the world that my femininity is not available for public consumption. I am taking control of it, and I don’t want to be part of a system that reduces and demeans women. I really believe that a non-Muslim woman could do this if she chose to. I know longer worry about face wrinkles on my forehead because the scarf covers them or my hair as much. I still color my hair and get haircuts but I don't worry about styling it everyday. I speak as a woman who just happens to come from the Islamic faith. I also noticed I worry less about my clothing.

I am so confused by your message. Why not to move to Oman, Saudi Arabia or Iran to tell that to the world? I think that would be much more powerful statement. There are many ways for a woman to let themselves down. Yours is just one of many. Glad it helped with your anxiety.

She wouldn't be making a statement by doing that, and it's not easy to just up and move abroad. You don't seem "glad" pp, you seem mean-spirited. Our society becomes more and more sexualized every day. Ads and ads of women doing bizarre things to get our attention.

[Anonymous]

how on earth does a hijab make you "feel liberated". Please explain. in detali

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how on earth does a hijab make you "feel liberated". Please explain. in detali

It deflects the male gaze.

[Anonymous]

wearing the hijab is a symbol of male oppression over women. How do you not know this?

[Anonymous]

I've heard this sentiment a lot. Lots of people think it can be a feminist stance. 30 years ago I entertained the idea. I don't anymore because I don't think male respect or female empowerment is the reason behind it. I think the reason behind it is to police women's looks, mobility and agency, and to make male lust the responsibility of women. You can put it on but you can't take it off. It's not a choice in Iran where women are taking them off as an act of rebellion. You are not subject to morality police, so you can cosplay it to represent whatever you want it to, and you'll find plenty of women who agree with you.

[Anonymous]

My atheist grandmother wore a headscarf. It's not a big deal.

If it makes you feel good, go for it. The only thing stopping you would be Islamophobia.