My Identity by Saba

My Identity by Saba - March 2017 Scholarship Essay

In the seventh grade, I started wearing the hijab: a Muslim headscarf that represented my religion. It had been 11 years since the horrific events of 9/11 and although this action by these inhumane people has been denounced, my religion has been stained and its followers have been condemned. For this reason, I was given the side-eye by peers in school, members of my community, and even some close relatives. This feeling - the feeling of being an outsider in your own country - wounded me to my core. How could someone be extremely insensitive to a decision that had nothing to do with the actions of others, but the modesty I wished to represent with a piece of cloth?

Fast forward to the 2016 election: one of the most divisive elections America has been faced with. Civilians were bombarded with hateful rhetoric from every corner and “alternative facts” that were just plain lies. The varying amounts of emotions emitted forced me and others to journey a tidal wave that I nor the others wished to have surfed. Yet it came for us all at full speed. On one side, strength was guaranteed with unity; on the other side, strength was guaranteed by isolation. Once the results of the election were announced, I had to try and understand the ununderstandable. I had to try and determine what was to going to be and, sadly, I will have to do this for the next four years.

The 2017 Presidential inauguration occurred less than two months ago. Less than two months ago, I watched as the man built on hate was being sworn in as this country’s president. For a minute, I had lost hope. I had lost hope on what we had become and what we would become.

The next day, everyone came together. People started protesting. Everyone was united in what seemed like a battle between good and evil. Although half the population of America was swayed by this hateful rhetoric, the world was not. They marched, and they rallied, and they showed me what democracy looks like. They showed me what love looks like.

This moment became the center of the universe. This moment taught me that we could not be dragged down by the color of our skin, or the differences in our ethnicities, or preferences of our sexual orientation. This moment taught me that I could not be dragged down by the clothes I wear. This moment taught me that the hijab is more than just a symbol of my religion. The hijab is a symbol of who I am - my identity.

In the past, we have been shown what differences we can make with unity in our hearts. We came together to end the persecution of all men and women during World War II. Despite grievances with other countries, we put humanity first. Back then, we ended the persecution of others when we made it become the center of the universe and we will continue to do the same as time goes on.