Ibtihaj Muhammad is relentless. It’s a word she uses to describe her drive, the thing that made her a groundbreaking Olympic athlete and one of Time Magazine’s most influential people. But it can also be the adjective picked to describe what it was like for her as a Black Muslim woman in communities that didn’t want her there—she stayed, she pursued, and she got to where she wanted to be.
As a young girl, her mother aimed to find a sport that accommodated their religious beliefs. She found fencing, that throwback one-on-one with sabers and full-length uniforms, and Muhammad was naturally hesitant at first. But since she also had ambitions to attend a notable university, she thought it would be a distinguishable detail on her resume. Over time, the relentless focus Muhammad had to succeed brought her to the highest realms of fencing competitions. But as she racked up Ws, she also stood in a brighter personal spotlight.
Since she wears a hijab, Muhammad became the subject of conversation around representation and who “deserved” a platform of exceptionalism. When people questioned whether a Black Muslim woman should be able to compete as an emblem of America—including those on her own team—she didn’t match them with the same simmering conflict.
She focused on her craft, brought home a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, and became the type of national hero who has a Barbie made to resemble her. A few years later, she decided to end her career. But because of her endless persistence, she’s only had more time for other forms of success.
Now, as a published author and activist, Muhammad is channeling her efforts into leveling the playing field for her peers in underrepresented communities. Since she knows how to face naysayers with the calm confidence of a seasoned competitor, she is bound to use that same relentlessness in the name of equality.
In an interview with The New York Times, you revealed that you were 12 years old when you took up fencing at your mother’s suggestion and that you “didn’t love it at first.” What compelled you to keep competing in the sport and how did you eventually find your love for it?
When I started fencing, it was unlike any sport I had ever tried. Everything felt awkward about it, from the fencing stance to wearing the mask. When it comes to new things, it takes a while to get comfortable and even longer to develop any real skill. I think what I learned to love about fencing was the anonymity the mask gave me in my pursuit to become the best. It wasn’t about who I was or what I looked like. It was about how good of a fencer I was.
After you became the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Time Magazine included you on its list of “The 100 Most Influential People,” Hillary Clinton tweeted about you during her 2016 presidential campaign, and Barbie modeled a doll after you. How did you handle the sudden influx of media attention and what was that experience like?
It was challenging at first, because I was coming from a lesser-known sport and was not used to the media attention. I decided to lean in to those moments, because I knew they were bigger than me. Through sharing my journey as a Muslim and African American, navigating spaces where people who look like me have been historically excluded, I have been able to create space for us literally and figuratively.
In your memoir, “Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream,” you opened up about the alienation she felt from her teammates and coach, the death threats that she said neither the United States Fencing Association nor the Olympic committee took seriously, and her feelings of anxiety and despair. What are the biggest misconceptions about female Muslim athletes you’ve tried to dispel over the course of your career?
Because success in sport is so equally tied to your mental game, I went to great lengths to stay focused on fencing and fencing alone. Having to explain my faith or cultural practices in the space of sport have always felt like a burden to me—one that my white teammates never had to carry. I have always maintained that it is not the job of the minoritized to teach their own humanity, nor is it our responsibility to discuss and explain racism. I knew that if I was able to ignore the things I could not control, like alienation from my teammates or even the death threats, and be myopic in my focus, I would be able to achieve great things in the sport and become one of the best fencers in the world.
You’ve been very open about your experience of being bullied while you were growing up and you even channeled those experiences into a children’s book titled “The Proudest Blue,” which was published in the fall of 2019. What do you hope young children (and their parents) take away from this book? What lessons do you hope hijab- and non-hijab-wearing children come away with?
The book follows two sisters on their first day of school and how their unbreakable bond helps Asiya wear her hijab to school for the first time. I wanted to tell this story so that children who look like me could see themselves in a picture book and see two sisters taking pride in a hijab. I want all children to know that the parts of ourselves that might make us appear “different” are worth celebrating, and no matter what difficult moments you face, another person’s hurtful words are not yours to keep.
In an interview with NBC Sports in 2019, you revealed that you’ve “unofficially hung up your saber” and don’t have plans to compete anytime soon. In 2020, your career and influence stretch well beyond sport. You’re an accomplished author and you’ve become an outspoken social and political activist, so what’s next for you in your career? Do you have any interest in running for office?
It is true that I no longer fence professionally, but my goal was always to transcend sport. As athletes, I believe we have the power to speak to the younger generation and create change across the globe. Activism to me has always felt like a marathon, a constant effort where we are committed to civil rights and a future rooted in racial justice. I want every young girl and woman to feel empowered, and some of the ways I am able to do that is through my next children's book and my conscious clothing company Louella by Ibtihaj.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
This year has presented an unprecedented set of challenges for all of us. We’re in the midst of a global pandemic and Black people in America are in a fight for our lives. I have learned to lean on my faith to get me through, but I’ve also decided to double down in my dedication to take action beyond social media. I love that more people are learning about the history of systemic oppression of the Black community, and acknowledging the impact it has on society today. It’s not always easy to stay motivated, because I have always felt part of America’s marathon toward equal justice, but I find inspiration in others. To me, success in 2020 means staying engaged, and committing to ongoing and sustained action.
How have you remained true and authentic to who you are and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that?
Being anything other than yourself is hard work. When I learned to be unapologetic about who I am, advocate for myself, and become my own cheerleader, I really started to love who I saw in the mirror. Showing up for yourself if one of your greatest gifts—use it.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
We have a saying in Islam, “What's meant for you will reach you even if it's beneath two mountains, and what's not meant for you won't reach you even if it's between your two lips.” A tough loss or falling short of a goal can be a hurdle to mentally overcome. But what I love about sport is the opportunity to get back in the gym, train, and work on the things I need to develop. That helps me regain my confidence, because I know that I will feel better prepared to tackle whatever is in my way next time.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going, even on your most challenging days?
I think doubt and nerves definitely play a part in our lives as athletes. It’s something that we confront every day. But one thing I try to never do is let nerves or doubt get in the way of my ability to secure the win. When you spend a lot of time developing your craft, you allow yourself the opportunity to show up without doubt and compete at the highest level of sport. The goal of being better than I was yesterday always keeps me motivated.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
This is only the beginning. Keep pushing.
Fill in the blanks:
The three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
I’m relentless, faithful, and hardworking.
When I feel fear, I…
Pray.
If there were more hours in the day, I would…
Finish my “to do” list.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
More representation.
To be successful, you need to be…
Relentless.
