Read this poem and comment on your feelings toward this poem.
Who I Am !
What do you see when you look at me
Do you see someone limited, or someone free
All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can't see my hair
Others think I am controlled and uneducated
They think that I am limited and un-liberated
They are so thankful that they are not me
Because they would like to remain 'free'
Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused
They think that I do not have opinions or voice
They think that being hooded isn't my choice
They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged
All they can do is look at me in fear
And in my eye there is a tear
Not because I have been stared at or made fun of
But because people are ignoring the one up above
On the day of judgment they will be the fools
Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules
Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty
See I have declined from being a guy's toy
Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy
Real men are able to appreciate my mind
And aren't busy looking at my behind
Hooded girls are the ones really helping the muslim cause
The role that we play definitely deserves applause
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright
And because some people are inspired by my sight
The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility
In the back of their mind they wish they were me
We have the strength to do what we think is right
Even if it means putting up a life long fight
You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt
So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated
We are the ones that are free and pure
We're free of STD's that have no cure
So when people ask you how you feel about the hood
Just sum it up by saying 'baby its all good' ;)
May Allah make u smile, and guide you safely through every mile. Grant you health and most of all give u Paradise
This is from:
http://islam_info.blogspot.com/2004/07/who-i-am-excellent-poem-about-muslim.html
Muslim Women
OH YESS!!! We are going to learn about the true beauty of women behind their veils.
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7 comments:
I like the message of this poem a lot, and it brings a different point of view to the usually negative perspective on "the hood." I like how it is seen as a positive thing, because the women don't worry about the way they look- what's important is their mind.
I read in a book (it was a feminist book..I won't mention the name, because it's academically inappropriate) that even though in areas of the South East, women have to struggle for more "freedom," they have a much better relationship with each other. Because they have to struggle, they come together as sisters and work together. But when women from these areas immigrated to the U.S., they appreciated that they could do what they chose, but they didn't like how women were always against each other, and it was sort of a shock to them.
It's interesting to think about how freedom can be interpreted in different ways, and even here, in America, with the so-called liberty comes the negative consequences.
Just to answer some of your questions that I missed from my last post... Currently in China, I'm pretty sure that marriage is limited to occurring between two people only, and women are free to choose who they want to marry- the situation is much like how it is now in America. But back in the years before, girls were not allowed to choose, and their parents chose for them. Because the book I am currently reading took place in the 1800s, you'll see that it portrays the traditional subordinate view of women and their role.
And to answer your question about whether or not men are considered higher than women now, well I guess it depends on your views of male superiority. I, personally, think that men are still more dominant than women here in America, even though it may be in more subtle ways than where your family comes from (for example, men are still getting paid more than women for doing the same jobs). In China, I would guess that the situation is pretty much the same- genders are equal, in theory.
However, I think in China there still lurks a little bit of its past. In the past, male babies were cherished more than females. And many times, parents would kill their female babies, because they didn't care about them and would rather have a boy. It's definitely not so extreme now, but that male dominant attitude probably still remains a little.
Salaam waleykum!
The poem seems defensive and reactive. Not just that, but it's inaccurate. To say that no Muslim woman has STDs? Please. Muslim women in Africa and the Middle East are victims of HIV/AIDS for the same reasons that non-Muslim women are the victim of HIV/AIDS: unsafe sexual practices (even within marriage; for example, a spouse may cheat and bring the virus back to his wife); unsafe drug habits, rape, transmission from a parent, tainted blood transfusion, etc. Muslim women are not better than (or less susceptible to disease and/or mistreatment from others) than non-Muslim women.
It's nice to see a poem heralding what's good about being a Muslim women, but not all Muslim women have the same experiences. I strongly caution against the ideas that all our experiences are universal because that reinforces the idea of Muslims as a monolithic entity rather than individuals with different cultures, thoughts, etc.
its kind of the same in the middle east except males are still kind of considered dominant and women have little rights in some places.
I also, liked how u connected the poem to a book that you have read in the past.
I have to agree with you too zeynab becuase it doesn't always matter what religion you are you can still get STD's. That was one thing I disagreed on with the poem. I also, disagree with how she claims Muslim women are not sexually terrorized because Muslim or anyy women could be sexually terrorized.
Farrah ;)
Exactly right! I remember a talk at my undergraduate university where a Muslim woman who wore hejab claimed that if hejab was more widespread, molestation and rape would decline. SERIOUSLY? Pfff.
Farrah, I loved the poem. Read it for daily poetry! I think you'd have a lot of fun going through it.
I saw some comments on here already and I like that you picked up on the discrepencies of the poem. However, excluding those certain points, as J. Dubbayoo said, the message is strong and clear. I think that the line about the STDs and the sexual terrorizing is a hyperbole used to emphasize the importance of "the hood." If it is and overstatement, do you think its use is effective?
Also, it's really good that you chose this poem because I'm seeing a woman's point of view instead of the point of view of a man on a woman.
I do think its effective but I think that she's saying that any women who wears the "hijab" don't get STD's but women who dont wear it do. I could see where your going with the whole hyperbole thing because she could just be using it as something to state because maybe she thinks that women who don't wear the hijab just go sleep around with men or are the ones who get raped, when that is not neccessarily true because muslim women who wear the hijab could get molested or be sleeping around with others (even though it's against their religion, but isn't sleeping with alot of guys who you are not married to the same in every religion?) and I think her poem is very effective because she's not only explaining her feelings on how the hijab is and the way people treat it but for other Muslim women who wear it and feel the same way as she does. Most women that wear the hijab are treated as if they are outsiders because of wearing a piece of scarf over their heads. People quickly judge them before they even know who they are.
Also, you think our teacher will allow me to read this poem to the class. It's a good idea and I've been thinking about doing it but I'm not sure who the author is.
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