Areena Reflect

Lost between who we are and who people want us to be.

The box that’s designated for us by everybody except ourselves.

Stepping out is betrayal, inclusion into something else, and exclusion from something else.

What does it mean to be a Pakistani Woman?

What does it mean to be a Muslim Woman?

What does it mean to be an Immigrant American Woman?

What does it mean to be a Niqabi Woman?

What does it mean to be a Woman?

The image. The idea. The definition. The stereotype. The definition.

As a Pakistani Woman, I may not be “that smart” or may “belong to kitchen.”

As a Muslim Woman, I must be “oppressed” or “I better be quiet.”

As an Immigrant American Woman, “I should stick with my people.”

As a Niqabi Woman, I can’t have “mind of my own” or “stand up for myself.”

As a Woman, I suppose they expect me to be “weak.”

What do I do if I am neither of these?

Where do I belong?

Who am I?

I am Me.

Uniquely me.

Just like you are, uniquely you.

While political structures identify us in various ways for various reasons – I want you to know, you are uniquely you, just like I am.

I am a Pakistani American Muslim Woman – but my definition of each of those words is what makes me uniquely me.

I am a Pakistani Woman, born in a free country which allowed me to be Muslim without guilt or regret. While Pakistani citizens’ experience is far from “free” in the present, having lived there back in the day gave me strength to be unapologetically me. Definitely lots of credit to my Pakistani parents.

I am an Immigrant American Woman; I became U.S. citizen as an adult and since then have made effort to contribute to the betterment of this country in any way possible, big or small.

I am a Niqabi Woman who covers her face because she believes in that being her path to God’s pleasure, not because a man made me do it. My covering myself allows people to experience my intellect before they are ever exposed to my physical beauty, enhancing their appreciation for what my mind and soul has to offer.

I am a Woman, creation of God created equal to men in many ways and unique in few. A jewel that men are made obligated to protect and will be answerable for how they treat. A complete human being with her unique strengths and weaknesses, like everybody else.

I am Me.

I was never meant to be in a box.

Whichever box you believe is meant for me, trust me doesn’t have enough space for me. That is the reason, if you want to know me, you will have to break through all of your boxes (stereotypes/definitions).

The day we start investing more time in learning and understanding people as unique individuals one of a kind each, we’ll have better appreciation for what each individual has to offer. Consequently, making world a better place that cherishes people and does not judge them. A place from where people don’t need to hide away from. A place where they don’t have to second guess who they are simply because they feel obligated to fit in some box or the other.

Like always I am here simply to encourage reflection..

When was the last time you were put in a box that you believe you didn’t belong in? or when did you put someone else in a box instead of trying to know them for who they are individually?

Think..

Reflect..

Until next time…. Adios.