The Fashion Project

http://news.yahoo.com/video/business-15749628/23634597

I came across this interesting article and news video, which comes out of Yahoo News and the Associated Press. It's all about how some major corporations are beginning to reach out to the Muslim immigrant communities in the US through marketing strategies such as Eid greetings in their advertisements, and by carrying certified-Halal product lines. The article basically rehashes the video, but with more in-depth information.

I converted to Islam and started wearing hijab while I have been living in Japan, so I am completely out-of-touch with the feeling in the US regarding Muslims and openly Muslim behavior (such as wearing hijab and other traditional dress.) I really have no idea what it is like to be Caucasian and wear hijab in the US. I imagine that most Americans expect a woman wearing hijab to be of foreign descent, perhaps Turkish, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi, three communities with large immigrant populations in the US. However, it is a different story when the woman they see wearing hijab is a "native" American (I use this term loosely) and white. Would they be more accepting, or less?

Perhaps I have a rather bleak outlook on people and American culture and its ability to accept people, but I anticipate problems. Not just personal problems with my family and friends, but wider impacting social problems like trying to find a job and attend graduate school. I fear the anti-terror/anti-Muslim climate of the US will be a struggle. Perhaps those of you living in the US and wearing hijab can give me an idea of this?