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Post by Ripley on Mar 14, 2017 23:10:35 GMT -5
Undead Walking "...In the March 12 episode of The Walking Dead, “Bury Me Here,” we might have seen the first Muslim woman in The Walking Dead universe. (Author’s Note: I say “might” because I don’t want to assume that a woman wearing a headscarf is Muslim, but I’m going to work on that assumption for the purposes of this article) Nabila (played by Nadine Marissa), the woman who confessed to Ezekiel that Shiva terrified her, was wearing a headscarf in “Bury Me Here.” This is incredibly important for so many reasons. It makes sense that someone living in the Kingdom (or any other community aside from the Sanctuary and the junkyard, at this point) would be comfortable enough to wear a headscarf, and it has nothing to do with fear of religious intolerance. It’s a matter of practicality. When you are running through the woods fleeing Walkers, you can’t “hang on to them hats and glasses” as they say on Thunder Mountain at Disneyland. You have to run. This would render a headscarf a non-essential item, even if it has major religious symbolism. Historically, when nomadic tribes set up roots and build communities, that’s when you really start to see the birth of culture, including religion. Nabila, feeling safe and secure at the Kingdom, doesn’t have to worry about running for her life, so the headscarf can be worn as usual. She represents a turning point for the survivors as they can return to some of the religious traditions enjoyed pre-apocalypse..." link
I don't agree with the unable to be practical aspects of this piece -my Muslim hijab-wearing friends play sports, are active just like everyone else. To me the character is important for diversity as the first non -Christian religion in the show and by the very matter of fact manner it was shown. Manila was defined by her frank speech and fear if a Shiva more than her clothing or religion thank goodness. Thoughts? |
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Post by murph on Mar 15, 2017 0:17:32 GMT -5
I agree with your take, Ripley . That's what I liked about her scene too. She had such a good balance of natural warmth and humour, optimism and sarcasm. I hope we see her again. On the reality of wearing hijab's in the apocalypse, or any like clothing, I didn't really like how it was framed in the article, but I think there is a valid point there. I think a lot would depend where you are, your environmental reality and what you were personally willing to sacrifice - or not sacrifice, and what that might then cost you. From running in rural areas to the people you're around to your access to cleaning. The only real sort of similar example I can think of is Gabriel, who did give up his church, he had to, the reality forced it. Until they were situated in a safe place where he could have it back. But he did keep his literal collar, and it got really gross lol. I really think it would depend on how much the individual could handle. It's actually a big problem for Muslim women to find the right sports equipment and there's been a push to make it easier for practicing Muslim women to participate in sport with available products. It's only now (like, this past week now) that big brands are coming out with products suited for Muslim women. Nike's ad campaign has been pretty brilliant. If these were available pre-apocalypse, it might have been a lot easier for people to have kept them. I'm glad Nabila is getting some positive attention! |
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Post by Sexual Chocolate on Mar 15, 2017 1:02:38 GMT -5
I'm not even going to touch the practicality of wearing a hijab in the ZA when we've had seven seasons of Daryl Dixon riding around on loud ass motorcycles, a faux king with a tiger, and early Rosita dressed like this  |
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Post by Ripley on Mar 15, 2017 3:59:41 GMT -5
I think any form of hair covering might work until someone was able to safely wear or replace the hijab, so I guess I have to just disagree with the issues around that, which is fine.  I am just thrilled to bit that we got some diversity on the show and they actually handled it well, unlike the introduction of Tara aka Hi, Im a lesbian and I fist-bump" in season 4-A. They used it to define Tara to the point of that being all she really was. I want diversity on the show, all ethnicities, cultures, religions and sexual orientations because I like to see shows which reflect true society. It is important that character be built and inserted into the show as Nabila was, where one part of her is not the sole-defining aspect of the character. The way Aaron was introduced for instance and Eric. |
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Post by honkytonkwoman on Mar 16, 2017 11:04:00 GMT -5
Nabila is charming. I hope we meet her again.
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Post by scarletbegonias on Mar 16, 2017 12:07:38 GMT -5
I agree that representing diversity among the survivors is a good thing, but I disagree that it was handled well. Having Nabila suddenly appear in a scene with just Ezekiel and having a fair amount of lines seemed like introducing a "token" Muslim character.
I am glad she was portrayed as having an important job in the community and I think she came across as a familiar, easy to like person, but for me, I have to see how they decide to utilize the character before I believe she is more than a pretense of diversity. I'm not saying she has to become a main character, but including her in some interactions with other residents of the Kingdom and having her show up now and again would be a good thing.
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Post by walkingdeadrules on Mar 16, 2017 12:49:00 GMT -5
I agree with you Ripley. Sure we can argue that there should have been more than just that one out of nowhere scene, but the one thing I give Kirkman a lot of kudos for in his comic(and we've seen on tv) is that there is a legitimate attempt to include diversity. I know we all might not like that at one time it seemed like every time they introduced a new african american male they killed off one right before or after, or I agree with you their initial introduction of Tara was a bit much, at least they are trying to be inclusionary which is more than I can say of most shows. As many of you know I live in New York(Long Island, which is NOT the city but still). Ny'ers like to consider themselves very open minded, and this state is a real melting pot. I had my god daughter live with me for four years. She's african american and at one time she went through a stage of trying out different religions. For 6 months she was a devout muslim. The whole garb, face covered, etc,,. It was very interesting to hear her thoughts on the subject afterwards. She told me she had never felt any form of racism towards her in NY, until she walked down the street in her Hijab. People were moving out of her way, staring at her, she even received some terrorist type comments. Not behavior you would expect in NY, but there it was all over. I have to admit I was a bit taken aback at first myself, and when my father first saw her he asked me how I could allow her to dress like that in my house(my father is in his 80s, and is not racist at all...well I guess I can't say that, with the exception of muslims). My point is based on lots of what we have seen there is racism against muslims in the US. The fact that a show like 24 comes back and ONCE AGAIN has muslim terrorists as their primary antoganists says it all. I think having a muslim positive role model is a great thing, and what is needed to get so many over their fears which ultimately is more ignorance than anything else. As an aside, my god daughter brought many of her muslim friends home and it was only after meeting and speaking with them that I really got over what I am ashamed to admit was a bit of prejudice of my own. They are people just like everyone else, and there are good and bad people just like everyone.
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Post by dark sister on Mar 17, 2017 14:06:14 GMT -5
I hope that with the attention Nabila got, that we'll see her again next season. The way Gimple answered the question about her led me to believe he truly had her as a one off in this moment. So hopefully he corrects that.
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Post by gia on Mar 17, 2017 17:35:21 GMT -5
I think it's a popular thing to do now, and shows are about the ratings. The character, separate from her headscarf, was funny and enjoyable, and I hope she and Jerry start dating. |
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Post by Ripley on Mar 17, 2017 18:25:23 GMT -5
I hope the viewer liking for Nabila brings back the actor in season 8 and if we see her again in the finale I'd enjoy that, even if she is just side-eyeing Shiva as they ride off to war.
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Post by darkandstormy on Mar 18, 2017 10:42:32 GMT -5
It was good to see a Muslim woman being just like everyone else and that, for me, was the significance of her conversation with Ezekiel. I sure hope we see more of Nabila, as she was very likeable.
OT: It's funny, I never expected to like the Kingdom inhabitants as much as I do. That's the kind of place I'd want to live in a ZA!
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Post by Ripley on Mar 20, 2017 14:27:27 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences walkingdeadrules , it has added a lot of heart to the topic. I already ship Nabila with Jerry or Ezekiel.  I agree with many of you who feel that The Kingdom residents are great additions to the show. We have seen more of Hilltop and yet those generic extras do not feel like characters. |
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