Dear Sumayyah,

“It takes a village to raise a child.” Adults often use fanciful phrases like this to signal our commitment to honoring, protecting and loving children. Because the reality is that every community member has a role to play in helping children, including those not related to us or under our care, to grow up in safe and supportive environments. Can we be honest with you though? Most of us are still trying to get this right.

A teacher, meant to show you new things and aid in your growth, failed you. This person was supposed to expose you to many things, but harm was never to be one of them. Not at 20, not at 15, but most especially not at 7. Your mom says that most days you’re bubbly and bright and proud of who you are, but now you’ve changed. And you know what? It’s okay to feel sad or angry or embarrassed, or even all of those feelings at the same time.

But remember this - you have a village and it is growing. People you’ve never met are sharing their concern and expressing outrage. Let us feel all the difficult emotions and handle what comes next. You be bubbly. You be bright. Spend your time finding new ways to be proud of every single thing that makes you, you. Wear your hijab in all the colors of the rainbow in any way you want. Just be you!

Although we wish this never happened, we want to point out something that other folks might have missed about you. You are brave, Sumayyah. When an adult, someone you trusted, tried to rip off your hijab, you said no and then you tried your best to hold on to it. And the bravest thing you did was tell your mom. No one has the right to touch you without your permission. No one has the right to degrade your cultural beliefs or spiritual practices, or impose upon you their notions of beauty or how they think you should look. Standing up for yourself can be scary and hard, but you did it. You stood up for yourself and now it's time for your village to stand up for you.

As Black Muslim women it would dishonest to say that you won’t ever have to do it again, or that there won’t come a time when you’ll be called to stand in solidarity with others. You will. But what we can say with certainty is that you will be standing on the shoulders of greatness and you will never walk this journey alone.

For now, leave the adults to us. A teacher who would harm you has nothing to teach you and they are not a worthy member of your village; we pray they are replaced with someone, who nurtures your light and brilliance. And you, little love? You will be fine. Because your village is here and growing. We will surround you and we will figure it out so that you are free to exist in the fullness and splendor of your humanity. Because you deserve it. Because every child does.

With Love,

from Kamilah and Rashida, your new Black Muslim Aunties

Flowers is a literary collaboration curated by Kamilah A. Pickett and Rashida James-Saadiya in celebration of Black culture. When we speak of “Flowers,” we’re talking about recognition celebration, daps and handclaps. Love for the living and those that live within us. You can follow Flowers on Instagram @flowers, and listen to their podcast adventures.