ABC’s Bianna Golodryga Goes Undercover, Wears A Hijab

Tired of the raging and screaming that accompanies any discussion of Muslims in America? Feast your eyes on this radically reasonable report on hijabs from ABC News’ “Islam in America” series. Reporter Bianna Golodryga first discusses the issue with a panel of hijab-wearing American women, who stress that wearing the hijab was a personal choice and part of their “Muslim-American identity.” She then puts one on herself to explore the responses she gets in different areas of the country.

Noting the recent spike in anti-Muslim sentiment, Golodryga asks the women whether they’ve noticed any change. Panelist Ayesha Butt says that, “before 9-11, you weren’t called a terrorist. After 9-11, people would just stop and let you know that you were a terrorist…recently things have been very similarly hostile.” Butt stresses that she considers negative sentiments isolated incidents which do not reflect the opinion of the majority of Americans.

Golodryga then wears a hijab “undercover” in Lower Manhattan, Houston, Texas and Orleans County, where five local teenagers were recently arrested for harassing mosque worshippers. Her outfit makes no impact in Lower Manhattan and Orleans County, while drawing stares and mild reproach in Texas. Golodryga’s findings resonates with the overall feelings of the panel who felt that while negative attention has been increasing, it still remains rare.

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