Religious expression through dress

In her book and talk, Shabana Mir discusses stigmas from forms of religious expression through clothing. The discomfort the female Muslim college students she discusses demonstrate the assumptions people make about hijabs. People constantly jump to conclusions about others based off their appearance, and when that appearance is outwardly religious, certain stereotypes or assumed standards follow. It is part of human nature to make assessments of people based off appearance, as is explained in Alison Lurie’s article, “The Language of Clothes.” When religion is added to the mix, the assumptions get more complex and often more judgmental.

On Hamilton’s campus, outward religious expression through clothing is minimal. Some people wear Crosses or Stars of David around their necks, but beyond that, students tend to have a very secular appearance. That is not to say people do not make judgments based off appearance, though. The secular culture makes religious expression all the more daring and potentially important to the person choosing to express their religion through dress. In a campus culture where religious expression is rarely seen, to break the mold and display one's beliefs takes great courage and commitment. Therefore, a person wearing a hijab, yamaka, or the like is opening himself or herself up to the impressions of people who are unfamiliar with this type of religious expression.