From KG to College
         Reminiscences of a Muslim Teenager
         
           by Okasha Naqvi, New Jersey

           When first asked to do a speech regarding my experiences as a Muslim girl growing up in Freehold Township’s public schools, I really had no idea where to start. I didn’t know if I should start with the name-calling the teasing, the threats or the violence. I didn’t know whether to start from the misconceptions or the misjudgments. But after some time thinking I realized I could not start from these things, for these were not causes with which one could start explaining with. They were affects. Affects to what you may ask. Simple! They were the affects of a different face, a different belief and way of dress. They were affected by what was not the same.

            Jimmy Carter once said “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”  Entering in my first public school years I added to the melting pot of our country but in a much smaller scale. Kindergarten: there I began taking English is a Second Language courses for my tongue had been molded by native language of: Urdu. I faced many comments regarding my skin-color and accent. Yet at that age, like most children in their prime years, I lived in a bubble. Never before been presented with any form of harsh language or teases I did not know what to make of it and kept to myself. I grew up with the firm rule to do unto others as you would want others to do to you. So never did I feel it necessary to say anything back at these children, mostly because I did not understand that hate could evolve over such a silly thing like skin color.

            As I turned the obligatory age for a woman in my religion, the age of nine, a new difference was added to my presence. I began to wear the obligatory head covering called in arabic: hijab. Not only did I have to wear my head-covering but I also then began to cover my body as well in a more modestly fashion. I could not wear shorts during gym class or short-sleeves when the weather became warmer, and thus I continued to become the target for teases and name-callings. My elementary school years went by in the blink of an eye, but the memories and taunts live with me until this day, however so does the success. The success of never letting down, and at such a young age being able to defend modesty in my religion.

            Middle school was a time for the coming of maturity, though we weren’t there yet. In sixth grade, the unfortunate incident of 9/11 befell our entire nation.  The melting pot as Mr. Carter had stated for me became nothing close to a beautiful mosaic during these years. Rather this mosaic in process shattered as lady liberty fell to her feet and our great nation was shadowed by grief and confusion. This confusion was mostly harbored by mis-conceptions and judgments that tore communities and relationships apart. My religious views and practices were a main source for confusion because of the irresponsible and disgusting acts of those who used religion as an excuse for their stupidity. Though I was only eleven years old at the time, I felt for my nation and was deeply grieved. However my fellow classmates and citizens did not think so. I was constantly bombarded by threats and things thrown at me when I would get off the bus on my way home. I was labeled as a ‘terrorist’ and was ignored by cashiers and others in professional positions who thought it would harm their image to have any association with me. Still the extremity of this situation has died down somewhat due to active involvement by muslim citizens who set straight the record about Islam the religion of peace and not of violence. Some Documentaries and accredited specials have since began to air on television giving the proper message about Islam. Unfortunately before and after 9/11 I have had to face discrimination. After two or three years I entered high school. Here I was not only faced with discrimination because of what I looked like but because of the way I channeled my thinking. Teachers frequently debated me in class about whether my religion was a valid religion or not, continuing to go as far as stating that my people are ignorant and savage. I am a senior now in high school, and I’m pretty sure that in college I will meet many different people, with different opinions and judgments as well. I know it doesn’t get any easier for me in the future, but some one has to pave the way for those behind them. If I could go back in time to help my situation  I would definitely have encouraged my community to be more involved with the township and local committees so that our religion would be more commonly known and not misconstrued because of our absence and lack of involvement. But other than that, there was really nothing else to change. Every principal and teacher of mine to which I reported threats and acts of hatred and violence dealt with the situation in a professional and calm manner making me feel safe and secure. However it is the actions of few ignorant that has, unfortunately, the most drastic and painful affect. We have all learned this lesson through history and in our lives, and I know for sure that no matter what happens, I will take my experience here in Freehold Township and channel it to a more positive direction. There is a lot of potential here, and in the past few years we all have grown. As a community, as a state and as a nation! We all make up one another. We all comprise that beautiful mosaic. Not because our pieces are all the same. But because we are all different colors, different shapes; the way we are cut is different but we fit together perfectly. And together we shape our future, a future free of discrimination and acrimony  and open to appreciate the ‘other’ which is not the same as us!