On Wearing Shirts That Challenge People

When I first came up with the first few shirt designs, I was afraid to wear them myself. I’d go to the mall with a hooded sweatshirt over the “My Name Causes National Security Alerts. What Does Yours Do?” shirt. I knew I had to get over my fear, and so every so often, I’d take the hoodie off, let the curious few read the shirt, and gauge their reactions.

The reactions were overwhelmingly positive. As time wore on, I didn’t bring the hoodie with me. I wore (and still do) wear the shirts everyday. And while I still feel a tinge of worry when I throw on something like the “Frisk Me, I’m Muslim” shirt, the discomfort only lasts a moment, until the first person yells, or whispers to the person next to them, “I love his shirt.”

Ding! We have a winner.

The shirts aided in my being comfortable with who I am. And I hope they help you, too.

Now go ahead, check out that video. I want to thank that woman, and her son for being brave, and telling their story. If they want me to take it down, I will. But I’d like them to keep in mind that it will reach thousands of people, God willing, and perhaps help them— with or without my shirts. The point is, the young man found a creative solution to his problem. I’m just grateful I could be a part of it, and I’d be lying if I didn’t get a bit choked up when she told me.

I don’t think we should divorce ourselves from our pasts. I’ve found a whole lot of peace by using my embarrasing moments, my mistakes, and my failures as tools for myself and others.

Can I get an alhamdulillah?!

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