Headscarf in America: perceptions, considerations, and behaviors of Muslim women, before and after the 2016 presidential election

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Maryam Atta (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Sarah Daynes

Abstract: In a time where social and political tensions run high, this study seeks to shed light on the experience of Muslim women living in the United States of America, who wear headscarves. Five Muslim women who wear the headscarf were interviewed and kept journals for a week regarding their perceptions of what other people think of them, how they negotiate their behavior in public in relation to their headscarves, and whether they noted any differences in these perceptions/behaviors before and after the 2016 presidential election. The initial and earlier days of wearing a headscarf brought the greatest inner turmoil for most of these women, especially in relation the 9/11 events. Negative experiences and stares are something they contend with, as well as being assumed to be foreign. Some noted an influx of positivity and open inquiry from strangers after the presidential election. Each has their own way of navigating these experiences, likened to Du Bois’ double-consciousness, and each woman experiences public life with some degree of caution around others due to wearing the headscarf. Greater yet is the support they seek from everyone, and particularly from fellow Muslims, to be thought of as normal, autonomous, unjudged individuals going about their day like every other person in America.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2018
Keywords
America, Headscarf, Hijab, Islamophobia, United States
Subjects
Muslim women $z United States $x Social conditions
Muslim women $z United States $x Public opinion
Muslim women $x Clothing $z United States
Hijab (Islamic clothing) $z United States
Trump, Donald, $d 1946- $x Influence
Islamophobia $z United States

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