A question for Muslims: Would I be causing offense?

Cambiata

Something I thought on and off while this US election was going was: if Donald Trump wins, is there some way for me to show my protest daily? And I thought about how beautiful I've always thought some types of hijabs are (for example), and I wondered if the biggest insult to my Texas good ol' boy "Trump forever" neighbors would be to start wearing the hijab. Not as a religious practice (though Christianity does have some historical precedent), but as a means of 1) sticking it to assholes 2) normalizing head coverings for the assholes who want to get salty about them 3) making myself a target instead of a terrified immigrant Muslims, knowing that I can't be deported or arrested since I'm white and was born in this country and 4) as a visual show of solidarity.

I don't know that I'd have the wherewithal to actually wear a hijab for every day of Trump's presidency, but assuming I did: Muslims, would this be an incredibly insensitive and patronizing thing for me to do, and should I just stick with the safety pin?

So It Goes

Here's one article with one perspective on it

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/21/as-muslim-women-we-actually-ask-you-not-to-wear-the-hijab-in-the-name-of-interfaith-solidarity/

I'd be wary of it. You have a noble goal, but it's a form of appropriation as well.

But I am not Muslim and I am of course not speaking for Muslim women.

Cambiata

Thanks for the article, that's the kind of thing I want to know. And yeah I worried maybe the appropriation of it would be a problem.

Fuzzy Cumulonimbus Cloud

It's 100% appropriation.

Cambiata

Okie doke.

Darkewolfe

So It Goes wrote: »

Here's one article with one perspective on it

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/21/as-muslim-women-we-actually-ask-you-not-to-wear-the-hijab-in-the-name-of-interfaith-solidarity/

I'd be wary of it. You have a noble goal, but it's a form of appropriation as well.

But I am not Muslim and I am of course not speaking for Muslim women.

Don't know if you read this article or not. It's not opposed to it on grounds of appropriation, this article is opposed to it because it's opposed to wearing headscarves as a patriarchal enforcement tool, which the author doesn't want to see normalized through support efforts.

Cambiata

Darkewolfe wrote: »

So It Goes wrote: »

Here's one article with one perspective on it

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/21/as-muslim-women-we-actually-ask-you-not-to-wear-the-hijab-in-the-name-of-interfaith-solidarity/

I'd be wary of it. You have a noble goal, but it's a form of appropriation as well.

But I am not Muslim and I am of course not speaking for Muslim women.

Don't know if you read this article or not. It's not opposed to it on grounds of appropriation, this article is opposed to it because it's opposed to wearing headscarves as a patriarchal enforcement tool, which the author doesn't want to see normalized through support efforts.

Yes, I read the article too. That just gives me two reasons not to do it. Appropriation for some, and a wish to not see headcoverings normalized for others.

So It Goes

Darkewolfe wrote: »

So It Goes wrote: »

Here's one article with one perspective on it

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/21/as-muslim-women-we-actually-ask-you-not-to-wear-the-hijab-in-the-name-of-interfaith-solidarity/

I'd be wary of it. You have a noble goal, but it's a form of appropriation as well.

But I am not Muslim and I am of course not speaking for Muslim women.

Don't know if you read this article or not. It's not opposed to it on grounds of appropriation, this article is opposed to it because it's opposed to wearing headscarves as a patriarchal enforcement tool, which the author doesn't want to see normalized through support efforts.

Yes, I read the article, thanks.

Forbe!

Been seeing more and more of the safety pins, stick with that.

Nova_C

There's lots of headcoverings that aren't religious and in my experience people who rail against muslims can't tell the difference. If you would like to start wearing a headscarf in general, there's no cultural reason why not.

Cambiata

Nova_C wrote: »

There's lots of headcoverings that aren't religious and in my experience people who rail against muslims can't tell the difference. If you would like to start wearing a headscarf in general, there's no cultural reason why not.

As a Catholic I've sometimes worn a "chapel veil" to church. I could wear that without it being appropriation.

Aldo

I would advice against wearing something hijab-like just to rebel against Trump-voters in your area. You are going to copy the look of a muslim girl without caring why a muslim girl might want to wear a hijab.

Maybe print a bumpersticker with https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/18/arabic-billboard-mocks-donald-trumps-fear-of-muslims as there is no religious or cultural appropiation to worry about.

CelestialBadger

If you aren't afraid and want to make yourself a target then there are a lot of ways to do that such as pro-Muslim T-Shirts.

mRahmani

As the token Muslim around here, I think it's pretty cool! But I am pretty unconcerned about cultural appropriation.

In my social circles, there's been a steady trickle of blogs and articles about American/European women wearing the hijab as a way to experience what it's like being a Muslim woman in the western world, and they're pretty universally praised in my experience. If you have any Muslim friends, definitely run it past them as I am a single opinion and should in no way be considered a spokesperson for an entire religion. But in the current climate, any and all support is generally appreciated and welcome.

mRahmani

It's also worth noting here that while the hijab is highly visible, it's not considered religious/holy in and of itself, any more than wearing pants is. The same way people don't generally show up to church wearing a bikini, it's considered traditionally respectful to cover the hair in a mosque (as well as daily life.) As an example, my mother in law wears it when going to a mosque or religious function, but otherwise never does. My wife prefers to wear it anytime she's outside the house.

But the garment isn't holy in and of itself.

Cambiata

mRahmani wrote: »

As the token Muslim around here, I think it's pretty cool! But I am pretty unconcerned about cultural appropriation.

In my social circles, there's been a steady trickle of blogs and articles about American/European women wearing the hijab as a way to experience what it's like being a Muslim woman in the western world, and they're pretty universally praised in my experience. If you have any Muslim friends, definitely run it past them as I am a single opinion and should in no way be considered a spokesperson for an entire religion. But in the current climate, any and all support is generally appreciated and welcome.

oh good idea, I'll ask my Muslim work buddies what they think.

Donovan Puppyfucker

Could you get some clothes (t-shirt, hoodie etc.) printed up with an anti-racism slogan like "Lady Liberty welcomes all comers" or "Deport racists" or something else much better that I didn't just think of in the last three secones?

tinwhiskers

Cambiata wrote: »

Nova_C wrote: »

There's lots of headcoverings that aren't religious and in my experience people who rail against muslims can't tell the difference. If you would like to start wearing a headscarf in general, there's no cultural reason why not.

As a Catholic I've sometimes worn a "chapel veil" to church. I could wear that without it being appropriation.

Bringing Back the Babushka

Riboflavin

As a Trump supporter I'll give you the Trump supporter perspective.

I wouldn't care if my neighbor was Muslim or wore a Hijab. So that as a protest is pretty weak. If you really want to irritate get a shirt with "Trump supporters are racist" or the like on it. If you want to protest against strict immigration policies get a shirt with "Open borders support a United World" or "Trump's immigration polices hurt families." or something like that on it. A yard sign also works. Or call your congressmen let them know what you think. Better yet, write them. Check your state's website and see if they have contact information. I'm not so worried about the appropriation, it's either a melting pot with a borrowing of culture and ideas or it isn't.

Cambiata

Riboflavin wrote: »

As a Trump supporter I'll give you the Trump supporter perspective.

I wouldn't care if my neighbor was Muslim or wore a Hijab. So that as a protest is pretty weak. If you really want to irritate get a shirt with "Trump supporters are racist" or the like on it. If you want to protest against strict immigration policies get a shirt with "Open borders support a United World" or "Trump's immigration polices hurt families." or something like that on it. A yard sign also works. Or call your congressmen let them know what you think. Better yet, write them. Check your state's website and see if they have contact information. I'm not so worried about the appropriation, it's either a melting pot with a borrowing of culture and ideas or it isn't.

I'm sure that's very comforting to the people getting beaten up and bullied right now for superficial reasons.

Tube

This is not a debate forum

Tube

Also answered I guess

Geth, please close this thread.

Geth

Affirmative Tube. Closing thread...