A Muslim teenage girl goes to school wearing a hijab (muslim headscarf). She is confronted by the principal who tells her the school is secular and no religious garb is allowed. A standoff ensues. The principal holds her ground on matters of school rules; which she did not write, she says. The girl is not ready to give in. The dialog between both continues, but it is more of a diplomatic albeit firm monologue on the part of the principal.
Eventually authority wins. The hijab comes off and the girl is allowed into the classroom. It is her first day and the teacher introduces her to the classmates. The girl scans the class and examines carefully how the other teenagers of both sexes are clad. It's a wide variety of clothing and styles, a veritable fashion anarchy. Compared to them she is conventional. No words are said, but the thoughts hang heavily in the air. If there is so much freedom to dress, why can't she benefit. A pointed commentary on the power and insidiousness of symbols in human affairs.
Eventually authority wins. The hijab comes off and the girl is allowed into the classroom. It is her first day and the teacher introduces her to the classmates. The girl scans the class and examines carefully how the other teenagers of both sexes are clad. It's a wide variety of clothing and styles, a veritable fashion anarchy. Compared to them she is conventional. No words are said, but the thoughts hang heavily in the air. If there is so much freedom to dress, why can't she benefit. A pointed commentary on the power and insidiousness of symbols in human affairs.
