I see women wearing Sherwals, Kaftans, and Face Scarfs almost every single day and honestly I don’t think anything of it, owning them myself. Last year, I was on a flight back from Charlotte and this man was sitting next to a middle eastern women wearing all of those things. He told the flight attendant (in front of the women) he didn’t want to sit next to one of “those people” and asked to be moved. The women looked so defeated and the flight attendant was clearly upset as well, but then moved him next to me because the spot next to me was closest. Me being, well me, I then stood up and told the entire flight that I felt extremely uncomfortable next to the man because, I was just like her, one of “those people” and even though I was in “normal” clothing I felt uncomfortable by the way he judged her and I asked if he could be moved. The flight attendant smiled and then asked the man to move to the next available seat, which happened to be next to the engine and far in the back. The middle eastern woman thanked me and I told her there was no need to thank me because at the end of the day I felt sorry for the man for being so close minded. She told me she would pray for me and for him. Just because she dressed different, doesn’t make her different.

Here’s the deal. We are all beautifully and wonderfully different. Yet people still judge each other. It honestly blows my mind. How can you be so judgmental when you look at someone and dislike them based on what you see. Why is it that people still think it's okay to judge?

Coming from a Lebanese and Italian heritage I will be the first to say I look different. Dark features, different nose structure, dark circles under my eyes that no amount of makeup can fully cover (shout out to that Lebanese side). So I know there’s two types of meanings to the question “What is your nationality?” There is one out of curiosity, intrigue and wanting to get to know me better. Then there is the other side, not so much “What are you” but more so “Why don’t you look like me?”

It’s not just nationalities however. Have you ever been out at a bar ? “Her dress is slutty” “Those shoes are stripper shoes” WHY do people have to make those comments? Didn’t your mother ever teach you “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all” ?

I have a theory that these people who judge others based on looks are just insecure with themselves. Afraid to be who they are because they care too much what others think. So to all those people judging anyone who’s not exactly like you, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you are missing out on knowing someone possibly great, and I’m so you are so close minded.