I went to the mall, and a little girl called me a terrorist.

An exercise more people should partake in. Sometimes on HN I find it shocking just how <i>completely</i> clueless some of our prolific commentators are re: prejudice, whether by race, gender, creed, orientation, or anything else. The number of times I've seen people in privileged positions try to downplay, trivialize, and belittle those struggling with prejudice has made me want to quit HN more than once.<p>Walking a mile in someone else's shoes requires some walking, not reading about it on the internet and making armchair theories.<p>[edit] Seeing the other replies on this post is definitely way too depressing for Saturday night - a lot of loud, moralistic victim-blaming without understanding. For my own sanity I'm going to take myself out of this post entirely.

Total western white-male stereotype-infused ignorance here but...<p>Perhaps people avoid muslim women because we don't want them to get in to trouble. I'm surprised to see women dressed like that out in public on their own, because I've been led to believe they need male escorts, and assume that one might be around. if I make eye-contact, I might be contributing to an honor-killing, or perhaps some acid-splashed on her face.

So? If I were to go to Saudi Arabia and wear jeans and a wife beater I would get looks as well.<p>You find it strange that people look at you funny when you wear a hijab in a western country?<p>I have a Muslim cousin and she sometimes wears a hijab to university but stopped because people would stare at her. Obviously! She stuck out like a sore thumb amidst a sea of people with no hijabs. She got tired of people asking her if she had cancer, if she was arab (lol at this one, people automatically think muslim == arab), etc.

One aspect that is probably being confounded here is that hair plays a huge role in attractiveness. By putting on a hijab and hiding her hair this girls attractiveness (at least by western standards) probably went down a bunch of points. So part of what she may have just experienced is what it's like to be an uglier person.<p>An interesting experiment to come up with would be to wear something that clearly indicates you are muslim but doesn't change your physical attractiveness (again by western standards).

If wearing a hijab cause people to call you names, throw bad looks or more generally makes you feel discriminated against, what about trying not to wear an hijab??<p>Maybe I'm clueless and prejudiced and all that but it seems to me that religion was a perfectly "open" choice, ie something you can change at any time.<p>Comparing that in any way to racism is insulting. People do not chose their ethnicity. People can chose their religion.<p>Your religion makes you feel bad? Then change it since you can!!

When I see a woman in a hijab, I also tend to look away - but it's because they're worn for modesty and I worry it would be disrespectful to them to "gaze" longer than necessary. Can somebody more familiar with Muslim thinking comment on this? I've visited muslim households where modesty was so important, the women would not even present themselves (however well covered they were dressed) in front of men outside their family. So although this style of hijab is much more "modern" - I still don't want to make a muslim woman feel uncomfortable.

You might also appreciate Black Like Me (1961)[1]. I think I read this in middle school or high school. A white man poses as a black man for several weeks in the racially segregated South.<p>[1]: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Like_Me" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Like_Me</a>

Not being given looks by people passing by is exactly the reaction headscarves, burqas and other similar garments are supposed to produce. They represent chastity and modesty, and showing off your bodily features definitely doesn't fall into those categories. The concept of sending a message to people by fashion is very simple actually, and I personally think that reacting to such a message does not represent ignorance. Take the scarf off and let your face and hair be visible - people will look at you. Cover yourself in wraps - people will turn their looks away, and that is exactly the intended effect. It might seem strange to a white girl in a western society, but that doesn't change the fact.<p>As far as terrorism reference goes, that's a perfect example of generalization, another thing the whole humanity exercises daily simply because that is the way our reasoning works. Unfortunate it might be, but people generalize everywhere and about everything, and especially so when they are frightened.

I am brown guy who sports a light beard. This combination alone has got people discriminate against me. Something as simple as being refused a bacon sandwich thinking I am a Muslim. I can imagine how these prejudices affect us and especially people wearing a turban or hijab. The outlook has to change, not the hijab. She can remove the hijab but what about the color of the skin? That cannot be changed.<p>However, I also agree that we, human beings, run to stigmatize an entire community rather quickly. For example, much of the Indian community in India thinks that "white" folks are more promiscuous. All of them. It is a widespread notion that they are ready for sex. There is no research that I can cite and only a few personal experiences and examples. e.g. <a href="http://www.whiteindianhousewife.com/2012/04/the-other-side-of-racism-in-india/" rel="nofollow">http://www.whiteindianhousewife.com/2012/04/the-other-side-o...</a><p>How can these things change?

It's all about symbolism. People simplify, people make fast judgments, people use visual cues to make their life easier. If I walk into a job interview in a suit and a tie I get a slightly different reaction than by walking in wearing swimming clothing.<p>And if it is more than just a fashion statement, but a symbolism of religion, then we open up a whole new can of worms. The wearing of burqa'esq clothing is highly controversial, as its banning in various countries across Europe is discussed and in parts even implemented [1].<p>[1] <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burqa#Europe" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burqa#Europe</a>

This thread makes me very sad and happy at the same time.<p>So many of the comments show an ignorance I thought to be a thing of the past or at least taboo.<p>But there seems to be just as many other commenters trying to help educate and enlighten, it's great to see that we are at least making progress.

Using 10px Georgia on a Web page does get one wondering..

This is an exemplar of how much courage it takes for women Muslims to dress in a manner to upkeep their beliefs. Women who wear the hijab should be praised to the utmost. The society they operate it is xenophobic, and at times very bigoted. I for one, as a late 20's person of faith, would struggle to muster up such strength.

I was walking through TSA about a week ago and someone about 5 people in front of me was wearing a hijab, and of course they didn't have to take it off while I had to take off 2 of my layers and then be patted down. I wouldn't have had to do any of that if those same people who wear hijabs hadn't taken many American lives over the years. I'm pretty sure I have a right to have my well reasoned and justified prejudices. If nothing else, I am much more aware of my surroundings when I see someone wearing a hijab. This heightened awareness is simply my human nature taking over.

I'm relatively new here. Why did this thread disappear off the front page? At 72 points in an hour, it ought to be by far the top post. The current leader is 67 points in 5 hours.<p>Are things that get up-modded that fast dropped as off-topic?<p>Thanks!

Imagine if a 17 year-old Saudi/Persian/Pakistani girl decided to wear a tube-top and skinny jeans and no hair-covering out on the town in Mecca or Qom or Islamabad.<p>I am sure the only response would be remarks from children who are not yet attuned to social norms, e.g. not commenting on peoples appearances. After all, we do live in a globalized society.

Some Muslims wanted us to fear Islam. I guess that worked.

Where was this?