Ibtihaj Muhammad doesn’t know where to start with Donald Trump.
In a recent interview, the Olympic medalist spoke out against the President’s travel ban — admitting that it affected her recent travels, even though she’s a born and bred American.
The 31-year-old New Jersey native revealed she was recently “held at Customs for two hours” amid the President’s divisive executive order, which bans the travel from seven Muslim majority countries into the United States.
And even though she represents Team USA, Muhammad was “disheartened” that her appearance and Arabic name were enough to slow down her travels.
Related: LeBron James & Stephen Curry SLAM Trump’s Travel Ban!
She explained to Pop Sugar:
“I personally was held at Customs for two hours just a few weeks ago. I don’t know why. I can’t tell you why it happened to me, but I know that I’m Muslim. I have an Arabic name. And even though I represent Team USA and I have that Olympic hardware, it doesn’t change how you look and how people perceive you.”
While the recent airport discrimination made her want to “cry,” Muhammad said she also felt the need to stay strong to fight the injustices being faced by others in the Muslim American community.
She continued:
“Unfortunately, I know that people talk about this having a lot to do with these seven countries in particular, but I think the net is cast a little bit wider than we know. And I’m included in that as a Muslim woman who wears a hijab.”
The trailblazing fencer made history in the Rio Olympics as the first female Muslim American to win a medal for the U.S., AND the first American to compete wearing a hijab.
Related: Hollywood Agency UTA Will Hold Refugee Rally To Protest Muslim Ban
Now, she’s speaking out “for those people whose voices go unheard” — and giving some advice for all who want to be allies to the Muslim community during this civil unrest. She explained:
“I think that when we stand in solidarity, we’ll be stronger. For those people who fail to see the injustices that are occurring, in particular with the Muslim community, I think it’s because you’ve sat in a seat of privilege for a long time, and you kind of choose to be myopic and not think of those people around you.”
But despite the current political climate, the athlete believes social justice will prevail in the end, adding:
“I think that we will come out on top as women, as people of color, as Muslims, as transgender people, as people who are part of the disabled community ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ I think that we’ll come out on top.”
Wow, such powerful words. We stand with you, Ibtihaj!
[Image via Instagram.]
Related Posts
-
Categories
