I went to the mall, and a little girl called me a terrorist.
My name is Ela. I am seventeen years old. I am not Muslim, but my friend told me about her friend being discriminated against for wearing a hijab. So I decided to see the discrimination firsthand to get a better understanding of what Muslim women go through.
My friend and I pinned scarves around our heads, and then we went to the mall. Normally, vendors try to get us to buy things and ask us to sample a snack. Clerks usually ask us if we need help, tell us about sales, and smile at us. Not today. People, including vendors, clerks, and other shoppers, wouldn’t look at us. They didn’t talk to us. They acted like we didn’t exist. They didn’t want to be caught staring at us, so they didn’t look at all.
And then, in one store, a girl (who looked about four years old) asked her mom if my friend and I were terrorists. She wasn’t trying to be mean or anything. I don’t even think she could have grasped the idea of prejudice. However, her mother’s response is one I can never forgive or forget. The mother hushed her child, glared at me, and then took her daughter by the hand and led her out of the store.
All that because I put a scarf on my head. Just like that, a mother taught her little girl that being Muslim was evil. It didn’t matter that I was a nice person. All that mattered was that I looked different. That little girl may grow up and teach her children the same thing.
This experiment gave me a huge wakeup call. It lasted for only a few hours, so I can’t even begin to imagine how much prejudice Muslim girls go through every day. It reminded me of something that many people know but rarely remember: the women in hijabs are people, just like all those women out there who aren’t Muslim.
People of Tumblr, please help me spread this message. Treat Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Taoists, etc., exactly the way you want to be treated, regardless of what they’re wearing or not wearing, no exceptions. Reblog this. Tell your friends. I don’t know that the world will ever totally wipe out prejudice, but we can try, one blog at a time.
this is so perfect in absolutely every single way.
R.I.P Amanda Todd.
Fifteen year old Amanda Todd was found dead, she committed suicide on Wednesday October 10th 2012 due to being bullied. Please reblog this to remind everyone that bullying isn’t a joke.You can read more about her story HERE. Rest in Peace, beautiful girl <3
(Source: bandaid-razorblade)
(Source: ahajuicebox)
50 Favourites Movies (in no specific order)
32 - Atonement
“Dearest Cecilia, the story can resume. The one I had been planning on that evening walk. I can become again the man who once crossed the Surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life. The man who, with the clarity of passion, made love to you in the library. The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.”
Awesome zombie manicure by Sarah E.!
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(Source: narcoticonatural)
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961).
(Source: n3scau)
❤ April Jones, 5, abducted
Last seen on the evening of 1st October, on a bicycle near her home in Machynlleth, Wales. She was then seen getting into a grey or light-coloured van. The first photo shows what she was wearing at the time, along with a purple padded coat.
» Please reblog so we can get April’s picture circulated on Tumblr.
» If you have any information, please call the dedicated hotline: 0300 2000 333They said the van might be a land rover, too.
With abductions it’s not unusual to travel over to mainland Europe to escape the police in the UK, so this isn’t just for people in Britain. If you live in France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, The Netherlands or anywhere else in mainland Europe, please keep a look out for this little girl!
