The Oppression of Muslim Women

Let's talk about the men and women who are known all over the world for their modesty, muslim men and women, in particular the women. Muslim women are required and are supposed to dress modestly meaning our hair should be covered, our clothing isn't supposed to be form fitting and our feet should be covered as well. Now, some of you may be thinking "oh my god, they are doing the most," but if you think about all of the creeps who have foot fetishes, who make disrespectful comments about your form when you walk by, it's really for the best.

There are a lot of ideas out there about how modesty affects muslim women. Some people say that we're oppressed, that the men control the women and force modesty onto the women, when that is far from reality. Modesty is something that is enforced by God to protect ALL women not just muslim women. Nun's are required to do the same. There's a scripture in the bible that says, "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." - 1 Timothy 2:9-10 It also says in 1 Peter 3:3-4 that "your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." The purpose of wearing the scarf is not to oppress women, it is to protect us from not only men but ourselves as well. We as women tend to put too much of our worth in our appearance and as a result we lose sight of what, or shall I say who is really important, God. If you cover your hair and body, what are you left with? What does your spirit look like?

When women wear tight clothing, whether it's consciously or subconsciously, they want to attract a man. Why do you think women turn around to look in the mirror? Y'all know what I'm talking about. The purpose is to sexually attract a man, when you wear that type of clothing. As a woman, you are going to naturally attract a man regardless of what you wear BUT you have to consider the type of attention you're attracting. Why do you want to attract that kind of disrespectful attention to yourself? Einstein once said, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." If men keep making disrespectful comments and advances towards you why would you wear that same dress or type of clothing and expect another man to react differently? A person who will remain anonymous once said to me, "I respect myself, I don't want a man to look at me or touch me but I can still look cute" this was in regards to a dress she wore that showed entirely too much cleavage and was way too short. How can you expect a man whose God given nature is to be attracted to a woman to not look at you when you're on display? That's insane! That's like holding food in front of someone's face, that you know is hungry and expect them not to ask for some or eat it. It's simple, if you don't want to be seen in that light, don't show it! If you carry yourself as a Qween, you will attract a King.

I encourage everyone, both men and women, to give their opinion on this topic and the previous topics. Just post a comment right below this article! Please keep your comments respectable and refrain from using any profanity. Thank you so much everyone for all of your support, it is greatly appreciated!

Don't Make It Rain, Make That Change!

Janelle Monáe, 27

"Janelle Monáe—the inimitable, award-winning, songwriter, performer, producer, Cover Girl and avant-garde funkstress gives an “emotion picture” through her music to the masses. Monáe found herself increasingly drawn to the stories and experiences of the strong women in her life, and their ability to electrify and inspire individuals to do the right thing. 'At some point I realized that the true heart and glue of the community were the women. My mama and grandmamma and my aunties and who to this day, are some of the most powerful beings on the planet. Under their guidance, I went from cleaning houses everyday in my maid outfit to the world-traveling performer I am today. They made me believe in myself enough to move from Kansas and pursue my dreams. A lot of folks think I work hard onstage because of James Brown. But they’ve never met my mother!' Inspired by her mother and other matriarchs, Monáe began to write lyrics and songs about rebel women who refused to be marginalized and dared to live their life boldly and unapologetically in a distant future."

In this video Janelle Monáe gives insight on the behavior that has been passed down and accepted in today's society but it is our duty as women and men to overcome and reject this type of behavior. Janelle Monáe is one of the few women in the spot light that has remained true to herself and what she believes in. She is aware of the concept that "a nation can rise no higher than its woman" a quote from the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad by not only maintaining a modest image but also refusing to let her mind be consumed by the indecency of this world. We, as women, have a duty not only to ourselves but to society to be the change it needs. For example, if a man approaches you with the intent to sleep with you just say no. Don't accept that type of behavior. Women are the vessels God uses to produce life, and with the power God has blessed us with comes responsibility. We are responsible for maintaining life. If we do not change, this cycle will continue.

In order for someone to accept a new way of thinking they must first be willing to listen. We all know how hard it is to get someone to listen to what we have say especially when it is opposite of what that person thinks. Once you get someone to listen, they have to understand what it is you're trying to say. At this point, they can either accept or reject it. If they accept it, they then have to come to terms with what they have been taught their whole life was incorrect. As soon as they learn to accept this their behavior will start to change. This is not a one day fix; they did not learn it in a day. It could take years for someone to change their mindset, especially when it's all they've known. Music has a way of reaching the soul of a person, well at least it used to. Positive artists like Janelle Monáe are trying to bring back the power, consciousness, and love that was once in music but it will not be an easy task. They are going up against a 400 year old mindset that is still being enforced today. We, as a people, have to realize that we have the power to use thought to create the conditions, surroundings, and other experiences of life but this all depends on our habit of thinking. What we do depends on what we are and what we are is the result of what we habitually think. We do not have to accept the way this world is. In the words of Michael Jackson, "if you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make that, change!"

I encourage everyone, both men and women, to give their opinion on this topic and the previous topics. Just post a comment right below this article! Please keep your comments respectable and refrain from using any profanity. Thank you!

Source: http://www.jmonae.com/#