These days face masks are a part of our everyday life. We wear them to protect us against a virus that we can’t see. And lately, this new practice is a constant reminder of a time when I put on a mask to highlight another danger that many people couldn’t see, or didn’t want to see: trash
I had just gotten my hair done at a salon, and instead of scoping out the usual pleasant background for my new look I wanted something more meaningful to be included in this photo opportunity. So, I donned the medical masks that are so present in today’s society and walked right up to a trash pile outside of Ariana Pulmonary Hospital.
I wanted to break the silence. I wanted to break the stereotypes. As a woman (especially one with freshly-styled hair), Facebook waited for me to share something pretty as the backdrop of my post-salon picture. It was expecting flowers, or maybe a glimpse of the sea to compliment my curls.
As a teacher and mother I was no longer able to meet those expectations because I had my own that were much more important: raising awareness about the harmful waste piling up in our neighborhoods–the waste harmful to the health of our children, students, and environment. So sorry #notsorry Facebook, you got something quite different that day.
I had brought the product of the beauty salon to the trash beast. It was ugly, but real. I wanted to show people that just like we take care of our own bodies, we need to take care of the earth. Just like we need to clean and protect the hair on our head, we need to clean and protect the environment.
Because, at the end of the day the environment is just as important to our health as our own bodies.
Camelia Mathlouthi
