I would like to preface this entry to say that Richmonders are really nice people. And even if it really seems like they’ve never seen a Hijabi (Muslim girl with a scarf on her head), they are still polite and even smile when I catch them staring. 

Also, especially in the inner-city, it seems like the older African American men always say “Asalamu Alaikum”* even though they are not Muslim. I would have to guess that this is because many of them may remember the days of the Nation of Islam and/or Malcolm X. A couple times it looked they were trying to remember what to say, and then after I pass them, they say “ASALAMU ALAIKUM!”, and I have to turn around to say “Wa Alaikum asalam!”**
The only time I’ve ever had any ... interesting ... instances (whether in Toledo or Richmond) was earlier this week. 

So I’m walking into a convenient store in the inner city, a younger (25, maybe later) African American male was walking out at the same time.

Him:  Ji-had? Ji-had?

I completely stopped in my tracks and I’m staring at him, like is he actually saying this to me?

Him:  Islam? Muslim??

Me: Excuse me???

Him: You’re Islam, Muslim??

Me: You mean am I Muslim?? Yes, I’m Muslim.

Him: You’re from Afghanistan?

Me:  No, I’m from Ohio. You really shouldn’t assume things about people and you should ask questions before you assume.

Him: ohh I didn’t mean it like that, that’s why I asked.

Me: You know what jihad means?

Him: Like those Holy war people?

Me: No, that’s what the media wants you to think… it means Inner Struggle

Him: ohh really?? (Like all contemplating)

Me:  yeah… Thanks for asking…

and he walks away.

Even though I could have definitely answered differently, and elaborated more, or said things in a better way, I think I did my part in breaking down stereotypes when he walked away and he told all his friends “HEY GUYS! You know JI-HAD means INNER STRUGGLE?? IT MEANS INNER STRUGGLE!!“

So I walk down a couple more blocks and I’m checking out all the other stores down the street, and as I’m walking into another store, I hear a guy, a couple feet away from me, go.. “oh man! SHE GOTS A BOMB, SHE GOTS A BOMB… “

The thing is, I didn’t realize what he said till I got into the store. So I walked around the store to figure out if it was worth it to do anything… I couldn’t figure out what to do…
In the end, I simply I walked out and gave him a glare. And he didn’t say anything at all, so I took that has a cue that he felt stupid that I didn’t react to his comments. He was probably bored and wanted to mess with someone anyway. 

So there’s a couple things that I learned from these encounters.
1:  It’s okay if I don’t always respond to every person that wants to yell out ignorant comments – I have to be wise when “picking my fights”
2:  I cant believe I actually said “that’s what the media wants you to think”. Talk about re-enforcing stereotypes about the Media. I come from a background where the mentality is along the lines of “the media is evil… and it’s out to get you.” (Well, it’s not like media – whether its Hollywood or news corporations have really been getting any fair press or positive images in the past couple years… but that’s changing)  That’s one of the reasons I went into the journalism. So people in the media can understand Muslims, and at the same time, so Arabs, Muslims can realize that the media is really not all bad.
3: Everyone just needs to be educated about each other.

***** 
* Hijabi is what I would consider a slang term used among North American Muslim youth. The word “Hijab” is in Arabic, and we add “i” to it.
**Translation: “Peace be upon you” is the universal Muslim greeting. 
***Translation: “And peace to you too” is the response.