03/11/2022
The recent trend of balaclavas have been making appearances in Met Gala runways, TikTok trends and mainstream fashion, but what is the controversy behind this winter garment?
Balaclavas are seen as harmless, fashionable and trendy garments worn by the general public. The headscarf however, is seen as political, controversial and oppressive. The headscarf has been banned in several countries as we have seen in recent news. As a society, we must do our best to understand what it means to wear a balaclava and we should never be ignorant towards the struggles others go through to simply practice their religion.
Our thoughts: The hijab is more than just what’s on the outside, hijab is also very internal. The headscarf, however, is a garment we wear to conceal ourselves. This garment is the first thing people see, before they even get to know you. As harmless as the headscarf is, there is no doubt that many feel “threatened” by it. Countries such as India and France have gone out of their way to ban the headscarf, yet they allow other non-religious headpieces to be worn (even if they are extremely similar looking). We believe it is especially important to understand the privilege one may have when wearing a balaclava. Remember that there is always a double-standard, and never be insensitive towards those who get harassed for simply expressing their religious beliefs through clothing.
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