Perception of Media

“Many choices reflect your hopes and not your fears”. Some will argue that we make choices based on the moment and in fear. I believe that if we want to be heard, you have to make choices that will leave a mark on you, but in the long run, you will reach your destination. Some of the greatest influences in the world had to go to extreme measure to get want they wanted. In author Sultana Yusufali “My body is my own business” readers should learn that when we perceive ourselves as independent and proud individuals, we make choices that impact other in a positive way.

While perception is essential to making and overcoming choices, so is confronting the truth of our own fears. In Sultana’s “My body is my own business” she sees a hijab is nothing but a tiny piece of clothing that covers the face of a woman; it is also a way for Muslim women to respect and honor their tradition. It is, in her eyes, an accepted part of her culture. However, many people from the Western civilization may see it differently. Some believe that the hijab is forced among Muslim women and that they have no choice but to wear it. Others believe that the hijab is a way of Muslim men to hide Muslim women’s beauty. She strongly expresses her feeling on how the world sees her as an “Oppressed female” because of the choices she makes. Nowadays in the world, the hijab and multiple things are causing controversy in the media. The world makes the hijab seem like girls are forced to cover up their bodies. But as sultana said, “I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear the hijab”. To her, it symbolizes strength, empowerment and confidence and a way to control how others perceive her. Sultana Yusufali “My body is my own business” she explains an example of how the world perceives the hijab. “Couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harboring an Uzi underneath it. You never can tell with those Muslim fundamentalists. ” Sultana expresses her anger toward the media and using sarcasm on how they like are getting kicked out just because they a piece of cloth that the person choose to wear. Today in the media, it deciphers whether this trend, body type, style is “in or out” and if you have the “wrong” style, type or trend, well then you’re going to have to change it. Making people as young as 12, around the world change the way they look using harmful ways.

As seen in ‘My body is my own business’ media is proven to be the ultimate ruler of our choices and how we perceive ourselves. Throughout “My body is my own business” Sultana can relate to this because the media greatly impacts her choices in the clothes she buys and wears. Not only does the media perceive the way we dress, also it affects the choices we make in our everyday lives. The majority of our national uses internet for everything, especially social media. Social media is our biggest enemy, from Facebook to twitter, to snap chat, to Instagram. I personally use social media lots. I check on it every day to see what the newest clothing style is or what updates celebrities have. Basically, I see a really young girl wearing really revealing clothing, just because that was the new trend. Even I get influenced by the social media. The example I see this cool clothing trend, and I will want to purchase it so I ask, ask and ask my mom if I could get the clothing, and I'm sure that many other kids do that to their parents. Making our parent buy it for us even if the trend is bad. Throughout “My body is my own business” Sultana talk about standing up to media and people around her and makes the choices she wants and being proud of it. Just as Sultana is standing up for her choices, I think that I try and do that also. I try to build confidence in myself and make decisions for my own good. Also, try and be a leader and not a follower and do what I want to do without worrying about my surroundings judging me.

In the media, our world and our lives, if we intend to make choices, we must understand the hardships that come our way to impact other in positive ways while seeing ourselves as independent and proud individuals because without both we will fail to make the right choices we could otherwise attain either because we fail without a realistic idea or because we will not have been brave enough in the choices we make. Even if the hardship is out of your comfort zone, it will give you a good turn out in the end. Obstacles like social media, peer pressure, etc. all slow us down but in the long run, it will be worth it.