U.S. fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, a 30-year old New Jersey native, will be the first U.S. athlete ever to compete while wearing a headscarf. She graduated from Duke University and is a three time All American. She, along with many other Muslims, was present at President Obama's round table discussion about the state of Islam in the U.S. After, President Obama gave a speech at a mosque in Baltimore and acknowledged her. "Bring home the gold...No pressure." Muhammad told CNN that it is very difficult to be a Muslim in America right now. If things don't change, more things like the Chapel Hill Shooting would happen. She also says she is honored to be representing not only her dreams but also the dreams of her fellow Americans. Since there are few female Muslim athletes, Muhammad looked up to the Williams sisters on the tennis court. When she started fencing, she got the sense that fencing was a white dominated sport which made her more determined to excel.
This woman is truly an inspiration to young athletes, as well as girls who are not athletes. Just because she looks different than most athletes, doesn't mean she isn't one of the best. Women such as Susan B. Anthony fought for rights of women. They turned the image of a woman from a stay at home maid to a strong, hard worker. Also, just because she is Muslim doesn't mean she is a danger. People feel threatened by her because of her looks and culture, rather than the fact that she is an amazing fencer. Being a woman in this world is hard enough, let alone being a Muslim woman.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/03/us/ibtihaj-muhammad-fencer-olympics-irpt/index.html
Being a Muslim in America must be extremely difficult during this time period, and it must be even harder to be a Muslim, woman athlete. Muhammad is a great role model to many young women even if they are not Muslim, because she is very dignified and intelligent. She is a great spokeswoman for the Muslim population in America, and I hope that she keeps doing what she is doing.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool, we need more women doing everything and especially Muslim women because they are underrepresented.
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