African fashion on campus: Dress Proud and be a Sore Thumb?
In a western society, on a college campus, one can easily stand out by wearing traditional clothing. Muslim burqas, Jewish headwear, and African traditional attire can surely attract a double-take in certain settings. They make powerful statements and carry a sense of pride for the wearer’s culture. Many people also love to see traditional outfits because they provide a glimpse of the beauty spread across our world. However, there are situations in which wearing traditional clothing may not always benefit the wearer. Often, people discriminate against those who wear traditional clothing, regardless of the culture.
The U.S. Equal Employment Commission describes this type of discrimination as: “Harassing or otherwise discriminating because of physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics, such as accent or dress associated with a particular religion, ethnicity, or country of origin.” Many times people label those who wear traditional clothing and harass or discriminate against them. These actions are wrong, and in most cases illegal. If you are ever discriminated against, especially in the workplace, please contact your local agency to have them pursue proper legal course of action.
As with all things, wearing traditional clothing in a public setting has a two-sided effect. It demonstrates pride for your culture, and allows you to more strongly represent your roots. On the other side, it can encourage discrimination and unpleasant behavior. Ultimately, the choice is yours to make. Do the drawbacks outweigh the advantages for your current situation? Does it really matter to you? The issue of clothing is trivial at best, and if there are any problems between you and others, take time to ponder the situation. You will most likely find that the issue lies not with the dress, but with the culture it represents.