It looks like she is just being quiet

“It looks like she is just being quiet about everything so she can fit in with the crowd. There’s something that’s keeping her quiet. Where is she from? Is that Palestine or Israel? I just think that her origins are keeping her oppressed. ” – Opinion of one African American Male “Hmm, well, I don’t know it kind of reminds me of extremism. Well obviously the stereotype of wearing a hijab. But, she’s obviously being a peaceful protester. She looks determined like she’s ready to fight for what she believes. ” –Opinion of one Asian American male This image sends a powerful message when I look at it. The tape over the woman’s mouth is physically showing “silence”. The fact that she is in traditional Islamic garb makes it even more interesting because I see women wearing this kind of clothing sometimes and think that they are being compliant by wearing certain clothes and covering their bodies a certain way. In my opinion, they are following rules and expectations for a man or institution. I think that women are marginalized and certainly silenced by this photograph. I feel like in a way, the Islamic religion is reified and validated by this photograph. This image puts the power in the hands of the religious institutions that silence or oppress women and it takes the power from the women who abide by these rules.