Step 88: World Hijab Day

I work in the children's department at a local library, so of course I see a lot of people, and a lot of people see me. I was particularly lucky to have my family visiting today--my cousin and her two children. The kids are very young, and it usually takes them a minute to recognize me when they first see me, especially when I'm at work. Especially when I'm wearing a Hijab.

Well, not an actual Hijab. I'm not Muslim, and I've never had the opportunity to buy a Hijab or practice wearing one. I just used a red scarf that I had and wrapped it around my face in honor of World Hijab Day. It's a beautiful movement that allows women of any race and religious belief to show solidarity for those who wear the Hijab on a daily bases.

I was incredibly worried walking into work this morning. While the area I live and work in is not known for it's prejudices, it's also not known for its diversity. I've seen a handful of Muslim women in the library before, but today my head was the only one covered. I felt like everyone was staring at me, and I know to some degree that this was not just my usual self conscious paranoia because of the kids.

Not just my little cousins, but the other kids in the department too had that "oo, something different" look in their eyes. They had to stop and stare for just that extra minute.

And then it was business as usual. Can you help me find this book? Look what I can do! Watch me while I play!

My little cousin even patted my scarf once she realized I was the same old Lauren.

It's important kids see a variety of people in their lives. Yes, a woman wearing a Hijab or a black man with an accent or a girl with only one arm may be different, but they're not scary once you get to know them. I feel like the younger the kids are, the easier it is for them to accept this fact.

I started off the day wearing my makeshift Hijab to personally support those all around the globe who follow this practice, but I ended it with the hope that others would see how easy it is to welcome all kinds of people into their communities and their lives.