Ethar El-Katatney, an award-winning journalist, blogger, and author, wrote I’m tired of hijab. In it, she expresses her frustration about being defined by and reduced to her hijab.
I’m tired of being the token “omg-look-such-an-articulate-awesome-non-stereotypical hijabi!”
I’m tired of hijab taking up so much space in my life.
I’m tired of speaking about it.
I’m tired of explaining it.
I’m tired of defending it.
I’m tired of being treated differently.
I’m tired of having to prove I’m normal.
I’m tired of being thought stupid and backwards.
I’m tired of the judgments — from both sides.
I’m tired of the opportunities denied.
I’m tired of expectations.
I’m tired of hijab.
….
Being a hijabi is tough. It really is. There are days I wish for nothing more than to take it off. Days when I just want to be like everyone else. I don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. I don’t want to be different.It’s just covered hair to you. That is all. No more, no less.
Excerpts from I’m tired of hijab, published on AJ+ “Firsthand Stories“.
Photo: via Medium
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