![\"\"](\"http:\/\/img.sparknotes.com\/content\/sparklife\/sparktalk\/essaycontest2_7_LargeWide.jpg\")
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You guys submitted some INCREDIBLE essays, and it was such a privilege to read them. Because we got so many great submissions, we will be posting more of them in the next few weeks, so stay tuned! \u00a0And a big congratulations to our top \u00a0three! \u00a0\u2014eds.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Untitled<\/em><\/p>\n I stood in front of my mirror and placed the white scarf on my head. I wrapped it around causing perfect folds to form.<\/p>\n I pinned the scarf in place and stood back. My palms were sweaty, so I quickly wiped them on my jeans. At the age of 12, I began wearing the \u00a0hijab, \u00a0<\/em>or head scarf. My mom felt I should’ve waited longer, but I knew that moment was the perfect time to start wearing \u00a0the hijab.<\/em><\/p>\n Muslim girls usually start wearing the hijab \u00a0<\/em>when they start feeling comfortable with the spiritual and social responsibilities, both positive and negative, that the \u00a0hijab \u00a0<\/em>signifies. I was comfortable. My mother feared I would get hurt. No matter how much my mom persuaded me not to, I had hope that society would be more accepting. I pinned my scarf in place knowing each fold could represent a stereotype, a look of disgust, or a racial slur. I pinned my scarf in \u00a0place knowing I may never be treated the same again. I swallowed my apprehension. Besides, I definitely wasn’t going to take it off, not only because it took half an hour to perfect every curve, crease, and fold, but because it felt so right.<\/p>\n Later that month, my friend was at the mall and a man passing by pulled her headscarf off. The day after the incident, \u00a0I stood tall in front of my mirror and placed the scarf upon my head. I was afraid, but instead of not wearing the headscarf, I decided to pin my scarf tighter. I wasn’t willing to back down. As I pinned the scarf in place, I looked into the mirror and saw \u00a0a woman, not a girl. I was willing to fight my own inner battles and insecurities. I was going to allow myself the right to freedom and happiness. My fear was reasonable and discrimination inevitable, but conquering it was something I did as an adult.<\/p>\n Last year, two muslim women and one muslim man were shot in Chapel Hill. The media claimed it was over a parking dispute, \u00a0but it was clear to me that it was a hate crime. Again, fear consumed me, but when I saw my reflection in the mirror, a strong, empowered woman stared back. That is what adulthood has taught me. I fear, like the two other muslim women, that a bullet might \u00a0pierce through the intricate folds of my hijab<\/em>.<\/p>\n My scarf may not be bulletproof, but it makes me stronger and more confident. I have learned to use these fears as motivation to become a better person. I have also learned that as an adult, it is okay to be afraid. I plan to look back at these moments where \u00a0my strength and will did not falter to help guide me through the trials of adulthood.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You guys submitted some INCREDIBLE essays, and it was such a privilege to read them. Because we got so many great submissions, we will be posting more of them in the next few weeks, so continue reading<\/span>