My Braids
I was at work one day and decided to removed my scarf. I normally wear my head 100% covered.
I am one of 3 leads and my team consists of 7 individuals: 2 women, 4 men and 1 vacant (and only one black man is on my team). Anyway, I own many scarfs. I couldn't even tell you how many I have. I get them from everywhere - from other Islamic sisters; a lady at work (a white lady); my shop-aholic sister; my daughter; and with me buying them, I really can't tell you how many I have.
Anyway, that day I took my scarf off my head and draped it on my shoulders. There were no men in the office, for multiple reasons, so I removed it. Some of the women there had never seen my head uncovered before. I had been on business trips with a few in the past, so they kind of knew, but others, I guess, thought I was bald headed. It's kind of funny. I have long hair, I wear it natural, but, generally, I just braid it in about 10-12 french braids, to the back. I like to keep it neat in case I ever have to (and I pray I don't) "throw down" and it gets removed.
Some of those women were very uncomfortable with my head uncovered. I don't want to make light of it, but they seemed more at ease once when I had to put it back on (the cleaning man was on his way).
I post this to say people watch you when you say you are a thing. People watch when you say you are Muslim; when you say you are Christian; when you say you are Jewish. With a significant announcement of title comes expectations. People expect you to know certain things (Holy Qur'an, Bible, Torah); dress a certain way; and people are looking for you to do something about the ills in your community. Like i said in previous posts, I don't know how yet to organize and do, but I intend to learn how, and soon.
I am one of 3 leads and my team consists of 7 individuals: 2 women, 4 men and 1 vacant (and only one black man is on my team). Anyway, I own many scarfs. I couldn't even tell you how many I have. I get them from everywhere - from other Islamic sisters; a lady at work (a white lady); my shop-aholic sister; my daughter; and with me buying them, I really can't tell you how many I have.
Anyway, that day I took my scarf off my head and draped it on my shoulders. There were no men in the office, for multiple reasons, so I removed it. Some of the women there had never seen my head uncovered before. I had been on business trips with a few in the past, so they kind of knew, but others, I guess, thought I was bald headed. It's kind of funny. I have long hair, I wear it natural, but, generally, I just braid it in about 10-12 french braids, to the back. I like to keep it neat in case I ever have to (and I pray I don't) "throw down" and it gets removed.
Some of those women were very uncomfortable with my head uncovered. I don't want to make light of it, but they seemed more at ease once when I had to put it back on (the cleaning man was on his way).
I post this to say people watch you when you say you are a thing. People watch when you say you are Muslim; when you say you are Christian; when you say you are Jewish. With a significant announcement of title comes expectations. People expect you to know certain things (Holy Qur'an, Bible, Torah); dress a certain way; and people are looking for you to do something about the ills in your community. Like i said in previous posts, I don't know how yet to organize and do, but I intend to learn how, and soon.
no, unfortunately, you are right mozell. I had to check myself when a muslim woman was addressing some students at my school. I kept looking at her feet. it was rude, but i kept saying, gee, she has on nice trendy alligator boots that looked really expensive. i just expected that she would have on sandals or something. then she spoke with such firmness (the kids were being rude and she was putting them in their place). i thught OMG, she got spunk, too! i just expected she would not even talk. no, i did not know she was a part-time teacher. i had seen her once or twice and belived she was probably a parent.
now, i have a young muslim in my class who will not open her mouth. i thought they (females) were forbidden to speak. that very same day when the Muslim teacher was gong off on the kids, i covered a class for a few minutes and guess what. the young muslim girl has a twin sister. !! and guess what, this young girl would NOT SHUT UP!!!!! please understand my reality-check and forgive my ignorance on this. peace and love