Rashida Tlaib on Why She's Wearing a Palestinian Gown to be Sworn Into Congress

From ELLE

On Dec. 14th, Rep.-elect Rashida Tlaib Instagrammed a sneak peek at the outfit she planned to wear on Jan. 3rd, the day she'd be sworn into Congress: a traditional Palestinian thobe. Tlaib, who was one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress this November, then inspired the hashtag #TweetYourThobe, with a number of other women announcing they would also wear a thobe on the 3rd in order to show support for the incoming congresswoman. Below, Tlaib explains why she decided to share her outfit and what it means to her.

There are so many reasons why I am honored to be sworn in as the Congresswoman from Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. This is a district that includes Detroit and many surrounding communities. And one thing that's clear is that this district is full of culture, culture that defines the uniqueness of every individual and culture that brings us together to make us #13thDistrictStrong.

Throughout my career in public service, the residents I have had the privilege of fighting for have embraced who I am, especially my Palestinian roots. This is what I want to bring to the United States Congress, an unapologetic display of the fabric of the people in this country. This is why I decided to wear a thobe when I am sworn into the 116th Congress.

My Yama (mother in Arabic) came to the United States at age of 20, and just like any immigrant parent, she wants all of her children to succeed, but without giving up on our roots and culture.

As a young girl, I watched my mother hand stitch thobes while sitting on the floor with a lamp at her side. She would make the small designs of flowers and different shapes. Just thinking about it brings up so many memories of my mother and how proud she was of being Palestinian. My mom is a woman who grew up in a small farming village in the West Bank called Beit Ur El Foka. She only went up to 8th grade and then dropped out to go work in a tailor shop that made dresses and different embroidered designs to make money for her family.

My mother knows struggle and has taught me how to lead with compassion, the compassion that should be required for every representative on every level of government.

It fills me with joy to be able to show aspects of Palestinian culture. When I posted the photo of the thobe I will wear on Instagram, I was overcome with joy at the response I received. It was a simple desire to share with my supporters and residents that led to the sneak peek post. Now, people all over the country are sending me messages that they will #TweetYourThobe. Women all over will post photos of themselves in traditional clothing from their own culture.

I also encourage supporters to wear their favorite activist shirt on Jan. 3rd to be part of the new historic Congress. Show everyone who you are, your heritage, and what your stand for. We should embrace who we are and not be shamed for it. Too often in this country, recently and throughout history, groups of people have been marginalized, harmed, and even killed for being different. This must change, and we can change this together.

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