Left Right Left Right...Don't Look Back, You'll Be Alright

Sipping a refreshing cup of Panera's Papaya Green Tea while walking around a small town with cafes and shops around every corner. A classic Friday after school get together with friends, something simple and overlooked.

Take this scene 30 years back in a small town near Alexandria (Damanhour), Egypt. To a woman, let alone a teenage girl, this idea was unimaginable. A woman walking down the street alone was equivalent to being thrown in a room with starving dogs while holding the only bone. The streets were littered with creepy men and teenage guys. Constant catcalls, comments on appearance and clothing, whistling, and even being touched were common occurrences if a woman was not being careful on the streets.

Having the most respected father in town, it is no surprise that my mom's father was strict. He gave my mom and her older sister simple rules that were to be obeyed to prevent them from becoming victims of street harassment.

The rules were as followed:

1. No walking alone on the street without a man present (dad, uncle, brother, cousin)

2. No walking to tutoring after school must wait for the driver to come (even though it was a two minute walk)

3. No hanging out with friends out in town after school must come straight home

In such a small town with very judgmental neighbors and friends, simply hanging out with friends as a girl after school labeled them as a slut. Crazy, I know. So my mom's teenage years consisted of going to school, church, and her apartment.

I am so grateful for the opportunities I have here, truly. With no freedom at all as a teenager, I feel like life would be empty and dull. The things I am able to do as a woman in America, even something as simple as walking down the street alone, adds a vibrant pop of color to my life that I am so thankful for every day.