“The ultimate decision [of wearing hijab] must be that of the individual. Western opinions on the hijab or burkas are rather irrelevant. We don't get to decide for Muslim women what does or does not oppress them, no matter how highly we think of ourselves.”

American writer, professor, editor, and social commentator

Roxane Gay is an American writer, professor, editor, and social commentator. She is known for essays, fiction, memoir, and public commentary, and for books including Bad Feminist, Ayiti, An Untamed State, Difficult Women, and Hunger. Her work spans criticism and creative writing, with Bad Feminist becoming a New York Times best seller. Across her books, she writes about culture, identity, gender, and the pressures of contemporary life, moving between personal reflection and sharper social critique.