My Perspective on the Plenary
I thought it was rather interesting to see how similarly and differently women scholars of three different religions answered questions. For the most part, I did agree with most of what they said, but I cannot say I agreed with it all.
ome things, especially, that Atiya Aftab, Esq. said (and didn’t say) struck a personal chord in me. As a Muslim who wears hijab, I found her word choice in calling it a “costume” quite offensive. Although she does not deem it as necessary, to many Muslims hijab is not something like dress up. Costume wasn’t the appropriate term.
Also, being one of few Black Muslims on the entire Rutgers campus, I found myself more in tuned with what Dr. West had to say about intersectionality. Atiya Aftab, Esq., perhaps because of the lack of time, was very dismissive about the current world views of Muslims and how culture affects Islam. She did mention that there is going to be a place made for Muslims on Rutgers campus, finally, but, had I though of this before the Plenary ended, I would have made a point in telling her about how Black Muslims on campus feel outcasted due to the racial divide and most likely STILL wouldn’t come to the MSA’s events because of that.
This is not intended to make anyone uneasy, it’s intended to bring a new perspective to how people of multiple marginalized groups often can’t find true safe-places because one or more of their identities often get disrespected or ignored. Had I been able to construct these comments and questions on the day of that Plenary, I certainly would have asked them. And I know I’m not alone. It’s for this reason popularized hashtags such as #BlackInTheMSA exist. This is a problem not just at Rutgers, but at universities all around America. We are asserting our POV in a world where we’re often quieted.