'What do you see when you look at me?'

Here's a poem I thought I'd share. It was posted on my writing site (booksie.com/azaadi2009) by one of my fans. I don't know who wrote it -- whether it was her or someone else -- but it's awesome and is definitely something to keep in mind in times like this when the hijab of Muslim women is under fire.

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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 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 is 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 standard’s that have no cure

So when people ask you how you feel about the hood

Just sum it up by saying ‘baby it’s all good’