Wearing A Hijab Isn’t The Way You Should Show Support For Muslim Women
In addition to de-centering Muslims, calls from non-Muslims to wear hijabs detract from what matters: breaking down racist, xenophobic, and misogynistic systems.
Gendered Islamophobia — targeted violence against Muslim women — has reached a terrifying level in Western society. Current political rhetoric is toxic, and according to a report from Georgetown University, attacks on Muslims in 2016 increased to the highest level in the last 15 years.
Women who choose to wear hijab, a headscarf (or turban or loose-fitting clothing) that covers the hair and neck, are often immediate targets for violent and verbal assaults. In response, some non-Muslim allies have taken it upon themselves to wear hijabs as an act of solidarity.
But while this may seem like a tangible way to express support, in reality, lasting change requires a lot more work than draping material over your face and hair.
Moreover, and unsurprisingly, this act of unanimity did not start with Muslim women, even if they choose to support this type of action. And that is a problem.
Lasting change requires a lot more work than draping…
