“This is all about helping my people, specifically white Christians, learn how to see difference, embrace it, and engage with it,” Jessey Eagan told BuzzFeed News.
Jessey Eagan, a married Christian mother of two, has decided to wear a hijab for Lent in an attempt to remind herself “what it feels like to be an outsider".
Ember Mae Photography
"See, we lived in Amman, Jordan about 7 years ago where we ended up teaching at an Islamic school," she told BuzzFeed News. "While we were there we met many Muslims and built great personal friendships with them. And living in a culture where I stuck out like a sore thumb, I personally know what it can feel like to be an outsider, and I wanted to remind myself of that, so that I can better love all people, no matter what they look like."
Before I fully explain my reasoning, let me tell you how I came to the decision. I told my husband my idea and he encouraged me to do it, but I decided that I needed to ask a local Muslim friend her thoughts on it. She wears hijab for many reasons, I'm sure, but one is identification with her Muslim community. I wanted to make sure that I would not be disrespecting or offending the Muslim community, so I asked her opinion. Her response was this,
"You are a very thoughtful person full of great ideas…I don't see a reason why people get offended by a very thoughtful, nice, and peaceful act. Our role is teach and educate all people and I'm 100% in support of this idea…My hijab drawer is yours come and pick what u like. If u don't have time I can bring them to u, just let me know what colors."
How great is that? I met her at the Islamic school this morning to pick up the scarves and she helped me put on my first hijab for the Lenten season.
