Being a visible Muslim in America is not easy. I think it is important to know what Muslim Americans go through. I am not saying go around and pity Muslim Americans I am just asking for you to validate their struggle.

I have been associated with terrorism for as long as I can remember. When the Twin Towers were destroyed, I wasn't here nor was my family; yet, there are millions of people who blame me and my family for that tragedy. When Osama Bin Laden was finally taken down my family was relieved, along with billions of others. When I went to school that day I was asked how I felt about the death and I replied that I was happy to see justice brought to his victims. This prompted them to ask why I wasn't sad for the loss (because of course he had to be related to me).

I was in German class and my teacher was talking about the latest terrorist attacks and the whole class was in shock, as we all know high schoolers don't watch much of the news unless it's an assignment. A boy called my name and I glanced over. It looked like he had made a paper airplane and I didn't know what reaction he was expecting from me so I give him a thumps up. He pointed at me and then crashed the plane into his hand and mouthed, "that's what your people do." I never liked him much so I didn't pay him any attention. At least I thought I didn't pay him much, but in reality his actions were lodged in the back of my mind.

Senior year of school rolls around and I am thrilled. I am finally one of the big kids in school and soon I'll be leaving my small town where nothing ever happens and begin doing bigger and better things. A freshman walks up to me and asks what I am hiding underneath my towel. I correct him and tell him "it's called a hijab and I am hiding my hair". He says, "I should just rip that towel off and expose your bomb". I look around to see if anyone has heard because as a Muslim American I was more worried about how his allegations could get me in trouble. I didn't have time to feel bad for myself because I have been conditioned to be afraid of something that isn't me.

When hijabis (girls who wear the hijab) started getting attacked, many people were worried for me. I was asked to take off the hijab for my protection and that God would understand. What people didn't understand was that I couldn't just take my hijab off, it is a part of my identity. If I took off my hijab I wouldn't be ME anymore, therefore I kept it on. I got to a point where I truly feared for my life. I was worried that someone would see on television Muslims being accused as terrorists for the umpteenth time and see me with my hijab, associate me with what they saw on television and inflict some serious pain on me.

When the Paris attacks happened, people expected Muslims to apologize and I just could not understand why. I had a friend of mine tell me Muslims should send out an apology to the civilians of Paris. I asked why she personally hasn't apologized for the KKK, or any of the school shootings. She said she had nothing to do with that, and I said exactly. I told her two billion Muslims should not have to apologize or pay for the mistakes of a few.

I didn't write this to receive pity or to have people apologize to me or any other Muslim American. I just want to be treated as a human being. Every time something tragic happens, I ache with the family and friends who have lost someone. Do not let the action of a few define my whole religion.

We are not terrorists!