I am back from Abu Dhabi, and re-entry into the U.S. went smoothly. I had reservations about visiting. How do I dress? Would I be safe as a woman, much less as a Black woman?
Perspectives about oppression
My concerns were based on my perception of how Muslim women are required to dress. Why is it that the attire associated with the Muslim religion had me afraid to visit a country?
Simple answer.
My American (Christian) values judged wearing an Abaya and Hijab, or Jilbab, as oppressive.
Oh, the hypocrisy!
I live in a country that restricts a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body if she is pregnant.
I live in a country that proposed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which requires individuals seeking to register to vote to provide citizenship documentation, such as a passport or birth certificate that matches their state identification. This Act is likely to suppress the voting rights of individuals who legally change their names, the largest group of whom are married women.
I live in a country that has an Executive Order banning gender identity. Yet, I felt apprehensive about visiting Abu Dhabi because of a dress code that I considered oppressive!
Were my views rooted in American exceptionalism?
Probably.
During my trip, I asked myself: Why is America considered the greatest country in the world? Our streets are not safe; over half a million people are unhoused each night, and 18 million (13.5%) of U.S. households experience food insecurity. I felt very safe in Abu Dhabi.
A resident of Abu Dhabi reminded me that despite the assaults on our rights and freedoms, we can legally organize for change and publicly disagree with our government.
