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PRINCESS ALERT!


An African American male who looked slightly older than me was shooting daggers at me with his eyes. I figured it out because of the burning feeling you get when somebody has been staring at you too long. I looked up at him questioningly as I usually do when somebody is being that rude. In response, he left his seat and came and stood next to me still looking murderous. I have to admit that made me really nervous in my heart as I thought why on earth did I have to confront him etc etc.
A minute passed.
Him: You an African princess or somethin’?
Me: Excuse me?
Him: Nah, you too white for that. You are not Arab, are you?
Me: No, I am not. But why does it matter?
Him: Where you coming from?
Me: Why?
Him: No, Ah mean where you from? You looking like a princess or somethin’.
Me: Is that a bad thing?
Him: Are you a princess?
Me: No.
*trying to suppress my amused smile by this point - he looked like he wanted to choke me to death because I looked like a princess to him???*
Him: What you got on your hand then? Is it a symbol? Is it a tattoo?
Me: Not really. It’s Henna. It comes from leaves.
Him: No ink?
Me: No ink.
*employing the go monosyllabic technique that usually works for me when I want someone off my case*
Him: *started to roll up his sleeves and unbuttoning his collar*
Me: Thinking WTH. *looking around desperately, “Somebody get me out of this. Lord, how do I get out of this”*
Him: (Showing me tattoos on his forearms and neck) Look , this is what ink looks like.
Me: okay. 
Him: I know you are a Muslim.
Me: OK.
Him: Are you forced to dress like a princess?
Me: *trying not to laugh - it would make the little girls I teach very happy if teacher was forced to dress like a princess every day* No, its more culture than religion. *I point towards my henna.*
Him: *regarding me suspiciously* Are women forced to wear henna?
Me: *trying my best to keep a straight face* No.
Him: *Pointing towards my turban* (I had tried to experiment with a turban over my hijab that day in the celebratory spirit of Eid) ,  Who made this? Did someone make you wear that?
Me: No. I made it this morning. I wanted to try out a new design.
Him: *stays quiet for a few minutes, looking the slightest bit less hostile*
Him: So why are you dressed like a princess?
Me: Because today is Eid. It’s a celebration of Prophet Abraham’s (We call him Ibrahim) sacrifice for Allah. It’s kind of like celebrating in his memory but not really because it’s more about celebrating a relationship with God.
*launches a discussion about religious thought and cultural practices*
His stop came.
Him: What is it again? Erd?
Me: Eid. E.I.D.
Him: *now smiling* okay. *leaves*
Me: *phew*
Crowd in the train: everybody who had been eavesdropping, looking through the sides of their eyes or staring and listening avidly, goes back to their business.
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