I went to the mall, and a little girl called me a terrorist.
My name is Ela. I am seventeen years old. I am not Muslim, but my friend told me about her friend being discriminated against for wearing a hijab. So I decided to see the discrimination firsthand to get a better understanding of what Muslim women go through.
My friend and I pinned scarves around our heads, and then we went to the mall. Normally, vendors try to get us to buy things and ask us to sample a snack. Clerks usually ask us if we need help, tell us about sales, and smile at us. Not today. People, including vendors, clerks, and other shoppers, wouldn’t look at us. They didn’t talk to us. They acted like we didn’t exist. They didn’t want to be caught staring at us, so they didn’t look at all.
And then, in one store, a girl (who looked about four years old) asked her mom if my friend and I were terrorists. She wasn’t trying to be mean or anything. I don’t even think she could have grasped the idea of prejudice. However, her mother’s response is one I can never forgive or forget. The mother hushed her child, glared at me, and then took her daughter by the hand and led her out of the store.
All that because I put a scarf on my head. Just like that, a mother taught her little girl that being Muslim was evil. It didn’t matter that I was a nice person. All that mattered was that I looked different. That little girl may grow up and teach her children the same thing.
This experiment gave me a huge wakeup call. It lasted for only a few hours, so I can’t even begin to imagine how much prejudice Muslim girls go through every day. It reminded me of something that many people know but rarely remember: the women in hijabs are people, just like all those women out there who aren’t Muslim.
People of Tumblr, please help me spread this message. Treat Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Taoists, etc., exactly the way you want to be treated, regardless of what they’re wearing or not wearing, no exceptions. Reblog this. Tell your friends. I don’t know that the world will ever totally wipe out prejudice, but we can try, one blog at a time.
Almost choked on my root beer.
UNF!
(via itpleasesmeso)
(Source: turnoffyourtelevision)
My cousin’s wife Maxine…15 yrs older than my cousin (my dad’s nephew, dad is youngest of 13) and a wonderful sarcastic wit of a woman. Too many years dealing with cancer/remission/cancer. She passed yesterday around 11 am at home. She just turned 80 this year.
Cthulhu Monster Cocktail Ring | PLASTICLAND
Cthulhu Monster Cocktail Ring
現実すぎる２８ドル。笑
cradenza! can you believe it started out looking like this??:
diy transformation courtesy of ‘Saftey Red’ Spray enamel. Impressive.
This is wicked!
Leadnow | Home
Let’s let Prime Minister Harper know that we’re watching and are going to hold him accountable…
OMG I am a big PURPLE FIRETRUCK!!!!!!
This fucking ROCKS!
I just wanted to post this because I’m totally wearing a MIGHTY THOR t-shirt right now :>
I don’t usually reblog these but it must be said.
I’m Batman.
I’m the fucking swan queen, obvs.
(Source: otomegane)
Reblog if you’ve ever wanted blue/green eyes.
Already got ‘em. :)
(Source: davidtennantsideburns, via turnoffyourtelevision)
Hanibal Pupster will eat your face off as soon as he’ll look at you.
(via itpleasesmeso)
