The Good Girl Revolution

I recently converted to Islam and decided to wear the hijab (veil), despite the fact that such attire is not specifically required by the Qur'an or *western* Muslim culture. Some people I know are confused by my decision; they think I am "oppressed" or they worry about my being vulnerable to hate crime. The irony is that the hijab represents liberation to me.

I have an autism spectrum disorder that leaves me naive and vulnerable in complex social situations. This has led to my being sexually harassed on several occasions. About a month ago, a fourteen-year-old girl with the same disorder I have was raped on a school bus. Unfettered male sexuality is DANGEROUS to women, especially young women like me who have special needs. My hijab is a screen I put up between certain types of men and myself. It is a creep repellent. That's feminism.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that women are not the instigators of sexual misconduct (the scary immoral infidel woman is an invention of later Islam and is heresy); men are, and women are "precious diamonds" who have to be protected from them.

I feel safer with Muslims. I do not support the Taliban or anything, but something IS dreadfully wrong with American culture. Books like this that propose solutions to the problem are wonderful. The Sexual Revolution 2.0 is going to be awesome.

I would also like to thank Wendy for her INCLUSIVE message of modesty, which draws people of all religions (or no religion) into a coalition with a common goal of cultural repair. I have been thrown out of Facebook groups and online forums dedicated to abstinence and modesty for not being a Christian. Wendy and her website, in contrast, want to spread a simple message through all possible channels and actually change things, not create an exclusive club.