Yesterday was a long day. I finally caved in and let my stepmother drag me to a salon to have my eyebrows "done". Today I feel somewhat like an overly primped poodle.
In the U.S. it wasn't uncommon for me to receive compliments on my eyebrows (I know, weird). Random people, like the lady at Starbucks or the woman in the mall would comment on how much they liked my eyebrows and how I should never change them. They would be sorely disappointed in me.
Since I arrived in the kingdom, not a day has gone by without my being harassed over seemingly trivial things like my eyebrows and arm hair. I have been warned repeatedly by the members of my family that since I refuse to shave my arms I will become the object of serious ridicule to all the girls I meet here in S.A.. Rough.
Tonight I am going to a wedding where hundreds of girls will be in attendance. I fully expect to be made fun of relentlessly, I guess its a good thing I suck at Arabic after all, because I am making a stand here. I will not shave my arms, nor will I wax them, or bleach them. I have drawn the line with my eyebrows.
This may seem silly to you all, and it does to me as well. But its more than just silly because it goes beyond hair. It extends to the way I dress, the jewelry I wear (or don't wear) the way I wear my hair, the way I do my makeup. There is a level of vanity amongst some of the women here that I am finding extremley surprising. I can't help but wonder if the constriction of the abbayya is causing this unreasonable lash back.
Not that America is in any way above vanity but outside of elementary school I have never personally experienced this kind of judgment based on the way I look. I guess I'm lucky in that I only have to deal with this for another month but it has given me a true appreciation for the struggles that people go through in every society, whether American or otherwise. I have a new found love for people who struggle with their weight or acne, or feel like they aren't as beautiful as they "should" be, or can't afford the "in" clothes. No matter what anyone says, you're beautiful, inside and out and it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.
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Stay strong, Summer! You are beautiful with or without arm hair. So glad you are keeping up the blog!
ReplyDeleteLauren K
You inspire me, sista! I promise not to shave my arms if you don't :0) Don't forget to tell us about the wedding, I'm really curious.
ReplyDeletecan you post pictures on this thing? i wanna see your new eyebrows! ps tell the women in SA that some iconoclastic women in the states don't even bother shaving/waxing their legs or underarms! and then invite them to the fc food coop for proof! miss ya! rhey
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