American Women | Teen Ink

American Women MAG

March 2, 2014
By NaomiHallS PLATINUM, Ventura, California
NaomiHallS PLATINUM, Ventura, California
26 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth." -Shostakovich


we always sigh and shake our heads
at hijabs and long, black dresses
that hide the toes
of Middle Eastern women

we pity them and tsk tsk tsk
at their oppressive society
why are men so dominating? we ask
and thank the Lord that we are
American women

we are American women
with teenage daughters
who wake up and consciously decide
to wear five inches of denim
across their hips
and cotton fabric that bares their midriffs
even when it is sixty degrees outside

my American daughter knows that
the boys at school
the man who works at the gas station
the creepy teacher who flirts with female students
will stare at her body and widen their eyes

the boys at school text her and ask for photos
the gas station employee stares at her chest and whistles
the teacher pats her back and whispers that he likes her skirt
my American daughter smiles and says, thank you

but we are grateful that
our daughters
our granddaughters
our mothers
our grandmothers
are not forced to wear hijabs
who are we to judge?



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This article has 3 comments.


on Feb. 2 2015 at 5:48 pm
a_marlys BRONZE, New York, New York
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment
I get what you are trying to say here, but as a devout feminist myself, I have to say I find some aspects of this poem to be a little problematic. Instead of promoting equality in the social perception of the way women belonging to two different cultures tend to dress, you seem very critical of the "revealing" way some western women dress. The truth is, a woman can choose to express herself however she wants, and it doesn't mean she is any less worthy of respect. Also, the whole thing about older men harassing young American girls seemed like victim-blaming to me. When somebody is sexually harassed or assaulted, it is never their fault! Blaming young girls, or anyone, for their own assault is incredibly problematic because it is on some levels excusing the actions of their attacker and perpetuating rape culture, and also, it's just insensitive to the victims. I want to live in a world where women have the freedom to dress however they feel comfortable- whether that may be in a bikini or a burqa- and not face any racism or misogyny as a result.

on Mar. 30 2014 at 1:03 pm
NaomiHallS PLATINUM, Ventura, California
26 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth." -Shostakovich

Thanks! I was going for ironic, too. I find the whole topic of feminism and self-expression very interesting.

TyraD GOLD said...
on Mar. 20 2014 at 10:22 pm
TyraD GOLD, West Helena, Arkansas
11 articles 0 photos 26 comments

Favorite Quote:
Never limit yourself to what you think is beyond your reach.

Interesting and true!