I wore a headscarf last night. (I don't know if it is proper to call it a hijab since I was not wearing it for religious reasons). I decided to put it on a work and wear it until I got back home, including running a couple of errands. I certainly attracted more attention than usual - and I was aware of how apprehensive I was about the possibility it might be hostile attention.
So - the privilege you feel is connected to feeling able to be open about being a Muslim; being in a place where it is relatively safe to live as you believe your faith calls you to live?
It is interesting (and sad) that a practice which makes you feel less vulnerable from a personal perspective makes you feel more vulnerable from a community perspective.
As to the personal perspective - is there an outward consequence of your energy feeling contained - is it a tangible reminder in a sense to behave in a more disciplined way?
I know in my faith, for example, there are physical aspects which are of no particular value in and of themselves - but which remind me (and others) to be more internally disciplined. The easiest to explain is when I am part of the team running our business meetings (clerking). When I am not actively clerking, I support the other clerks by closing my eyes, and often assuming a posture of prayer. I don't need to, in order to hold them in the Light - but is useful to remind me of what my role is at that particular time (rather than taking notes, admiring artwork, or whatever else might catch my fancy). It is also a reminder to the rest of the meeting that a business meeting is still a meeting for worship, and each of us needs to remain in worship.
Is that at all similar to what you are suggesting when you say wearing a hijab "contains" your energy?
Thank you for the reference to Riffat Hassan's work - I will take a look over the weekend.
And thank you for the conversation!
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