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Don't judge me before you learn about me

"The number of those who undergo the fatigue of judging for themselves is very small indeed."
-Richard Brinsley Sheridan

As an American Muslim, dealing with criticism from people is something I brace myself for. No, don't think that is it something that I accept when I say that I deal with it. Rather I make excuses for those people who do judge me before they really know anything about me other than the scarf on my head. I convince myself that they are ignorant people who have no interest in getting to know me. They just want to judge me. So I just deal with it, not accept it and try to educate those who do ask questions about my culture or religion. I agree that I can help make a change in the world just by helping to create less ignorant and judgemental people. 
A few weeks ago, I encountered such people. People who were willing to learn about my background. My family and I put together an exhibit about Palestine (FYI: Palestine is a country located in the Middle East on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea) that included traditional food, pictures from major cities, facts about the country, and even dressed up in traditional clothing. We displayed objects from instruments to handmade embroidery. We even had trivia questions about things that were displayed and gave prizes to those who answered them correctly. We were a bit nervous about what people might say about it, what they would say to us especially, but we did this for anyone who was ready to come and learn about us. 
The exhibit was a success. Many people showed up and I was surprised by a few who greeted me by "Assalamu A'alaykum", the Arabic greeting. A lot of people weren't hesitant to ask questions about what was around them and ask us about our experience living in Palestine. Of course, my mother had more to say about that since she had grown up there, but even though I had only spent 5 years there, they had been some of the most crucial 5 years of my life. My middle school and early high school years were the years when I had begun soul searching for who I was going to become. They had influenced me tremendously and played a huge role in who I am today as well as who I will be in the future. 
There were a few Army and Navy men and women who I had some quite interesting conversations with. The best part about the whole exhibit was the fact that no one was there to judge us. I felt as if every one who had some kind of idea of Muslims or Palestinians or Arabs had walked in with a clean slate. They were really interested in getting to know us. Ever since I moved here last year, I had thought that all people would do is judge me. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were people who were kind and open and willing to let us in. I don't remember ever feeling more proud of who I am than that day. 
Yes, I dress differently. Yes, I am from a country on the other side of the world. Yes, I am different. But different is good. Accepting differences is good too. I've learned to accept people differences because I want them to accept my differences. Unfortunately, we live in a world where stereotypes exist and there are many judgmental people. But just like Sheridan said in the quote in the beginning of this post, those judgmental people are a very small number. The world isn't such an amazing place a lot of the time, but we can change that. I learned that by participating in this exhibit and being ready to open up to people.
The only way that people's differences will be accepted is if people teach others about their differences, flaunt them, and be proud of them!
If you want to see a difference in the world, you have to start changing it yourself. I don't know about you, reader, but I'm ready for change. :)

-Wishful Dreamer

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