My Journey With Yahoo! Avatars Vs. WeeWorld Avatars
Previously on Unique, I went through an individual campaign to get Yahoo! Avatars to design a small hijab so that Muslim women donning the hijab can join in the fun. Since writing the post, If Yahoo! Ruled the World, I received a reply from the staff at Yahoo! giving me the impression that they are serious about customer feedback and will take my hijab-design-request into consideration. That was when it was pointed out that someone had received the same reply around a year ago still, nothing. No hijab. No point in going to Yahoo! Avatars.
But I thought I could get away with it. I found a hood that only comes in the colour purple that covered the hair. I thought it would do for now, a small sacrifice because I really fancied the whole design of Yahoo! Avatars; the fact that they looked, well, “normal” (not midget-like). Those of you who visited regularly in the last week or so may have noticed that I set aside my WeeMee Avatar and went for the Yahoo! tall-model-like animation of myself, going with the ‘Grim Reapers’ Purple Hood’ as the closest thing I could find to a scarf that could at least represent how I dress in reality.
But the Grim Reapers’ Hood is not a scarf. This Halloween act got quite tiring. I do not like wearing purple day in and day out. I mean, I love the colour purple, but I do not want people thinking I only have one purple scarf, which resembles the Grim Reapers’ Hood. Plus fashion-wise a purple scarf will not match with a red top. I wanted something that would symbolise me, something that I would be happy with, colours that I could choose to express my mood on any given day.
Then I noticed that Yahoo! Avatars had designed new items quite recently. A head-towel was among these items. I was disappointed, to say the least. If they can design a white-towel to go over a person’s hair after coming out of the shower, surely designing a simple scarf for Muslim women wanting this needed item is an easy design-process?
I wrote in a previous post that Yahoo! Avatars makes me feel quite isolated as a Muslim woman wearing the scarf. I feel like I have no place in “their” secular world, hence the title of my previous post, “If Yahoo! Ruled the World” (it would not be a nice, pretty place for women who want to cover their hair!)
So after this earth-shattering conclusion, what did I do about it? I went on my blog, looking at my fairly nice Yahoo! Avatar design; how tall she looked, how slim she looked. How interesting. But many items and options are missing in Yahoo! Avatars that are available on WeeMee Avatars. Like the different types of colours I can choose for each garment. The accessories, food and drink (my avatar may get a bit hungry while I’m away from the Internet), and features I can choose for my background that will happily go in with me. The modest-clothing I can choose. And of course I love the fact that they have designed not one, but two hijab designs for Muslim women and a Niqab.
WeeWorld did not exclude me. They did not marginalise me. They did not make me feel that I had to rip off my hijab in order to “fit in” and belong in this crazy-avatar-world. No. They gave me the freedom of choice. What a democratic organisation. One that included an ethnic minority in their designs. One that included me. One that listened to feedback from users. I EXIST!
It was last night when I found that WeeWorld had published an article I had written on my blog a few months ago, The New Hijab, WeeMee Style. People, not only have they included us in their designs, they aren’t ignoring our posts and thoughts either. They realise we have something to say and they won’t shut us out like Yahoo! Avatars have. Maybe it was a hint from them to dump Yahoo! Avatars and the purple Grim Reapers’ outfit act and go back to them?
I’m glad that I had to go through this journey and compare both Avatar companies, because it made me appreciate WeeWorld and the people working behind the scenes.
And of course since yesterday I switched back to WeeWorld! Sure I still look like a Wizard of Oz Munchkin, but hey, it’s better that compromising my hijab on Yahoo! and wearing a purple Grim Reaper’s Hood. Because I can tell you, I am not the Grim Reaper. I do not resemble the Grim Reaper. Nor do I act like the Grim Reaper. The thought depressed me everyday while styling my avatar. I am a Muslim hijab-lady that wishes to have an animated version of me on the Internet with a scarf. To show to people how I dress. It brings a lot of curiosity from people who aren’t even aware that women wear scarves.
I mean, it’s a simple request. And I thank the people at WeeWorld for listening to their users and making us belong in our world of different people.
(Updated: Above picture: If I was a Muslim man, this is what I’d want to look like, and WeeWorld makes that possible, unlike Yahoo! Avatars. WeeWorld provides different types of beard styles, brothers!).
(sigh) So I had some time to kill.
And I made myself an avatar. And I looked at the flags—Iran has no flag! Iraq has no flag. What is THAT?!
Zeynab
December 1, 2007 at 2:52 am
Yahoo Avatars doesn’t even have beards! The closest I could get was a faded goatee, which is so far away from my own look that it’s pretty much useless.
So, instead of trying to make it somewhat close to my own appearance, I just went all out in making it as weird as I possibly could. Of course, some might argue that this image is somewhat representative of me, regardless.
Shame on Yahoo!
Faraz
December 1, 2007 at 3:00 am
Zeynab, which avatar company did you choose?
Faraz, it’s good to hear that men are as annoyed as women! I think WeeMee’s have beards, have you tried? I’m slowly growing into my WeeMee, even if I’m still a tad bothered that it’s a munchkin version of me.
I echo you, shame on Yahoo! Thank you for taking the time to write a comment, it’s good to look at the male perspective.
Oh and I couldn’t stop laughing with what you did to that poor avatar. They should take you to the cruelty to avatars organisation!
Seriously, try WeeMee, I am sure they have beards. Even a bold patch on your head if you want!
Unique Muslimah
December 1, 2007 at 3:07 am
Your avatar looks beautiful!
They don’t have a light skinned brown guy too (Yahoo) I am either white or VERY brown….
Haleem
December 1, 2007 at 3:16 am
Thank you Haleem
I’m sure you’ll find the right colour on WeeMee! (I’m advertising with no commission fees here!) Let’s just admit that Yahoo have got some work to do to make us consider even going back.
Unique Muslimah
December 1, 2007 at 3:59 am
Interesting journey… I just came back from *trying* to make a WeeMee, but was unsuccessful, cuz they just can’t represent me. And Yahoo sux cuz they don’t have things for Muslims… so I just gave up on making any type of Avatar. Have you tried Zwinky or IMVU or whatever it is?? I haven’t, but maybe I should, eh… what do you think…
.
Maybe I’ll experiment with those tomorrow and let you know
xx
SaffSaff (as you like to call me…:-))
AsianPranksta
December 1, 2007 at 7:21 am
if i were a man, seriously i don’t wanna look like that :s
youngMuslimah
December 1, 2007 at 2:24 pm
SaffSaff! I tried Zwinky, really weird…no hijab and you have to pay for certain items (which is most of them!) so didn’t like them. Plus you have to download their program
IMVU, you have to download their program, with weeworld you don’t have to do that. Failed to download, something about it being a corruptable file!
youngMuslimah, haaaahhaaaaa!! Let’s see how you do then
Unique Muslimah
December 1, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Unique, even though Yahoo hasn’t come around, this seems to have been quite the journey and I really admire you for taking all the steps that you did! From what I can see from those who use the WeeMe (including some of the very cute ones you’ve created), is that they do seem to offer more variety such as the colour changes you mention and the props to hold too. I gotta add, I also love the fairy wings you’d added to your current avatar, the Yahoo wings aren’t nearly as great.
Hmmm maybe I should check WeeMe out too… the fact that Yahoo avatars look more human attracts me and while the no hijabs offered doesn’t affect me directly, it does bother me personally that not everyone is included and that they really haven’t tried at all to reach out to hijabi Muslim women – because like you say, it’s really a simple request. I mean they do have those towel head like you say, and they even have a variety of hats.. it can’t be that hard for them!
Congrats on your article published on WeeWorld! It seems like you’ve made the right decision to represent yourself with them. Yahoo doesn’t know what it’s missing out on… I hope they come across this post and see the mistake they made in trying to exclude so many bloggers just like you.
'liya
December 1, 2007 at 4:11 pm
you know why? cos that guy aint tall:( i like tall men :p
youngMuslimah
December 1, 2007 at 4:16 pm
lol and why’s he got those flowers? for his wife? :p
youngMuslimah
December 1, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Waw, Unique. I still dont understand avators enough to use them. But It is quiet great job you did. I appreciate your effort and as Liya said, Yahoo doesnt know what it missed really. An excellent support from muslims via Unique’s great articles.
VIVA O’ Unique, Heroine of Muslim World..
Hey, if i was man i wouldnt seem like that avator. I just dont like beard. And i would have longer hair, would be tall with awesome body, girl killing. lol
What i do?!! That would be ME!!
Shahrzad
December 1, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I like the WeeWorld avatars better than Yahoo! ones. Its more cute
and I LOVE your WeeMe one, its adorable. Love the turquiose outfit 
Sumera
December 1, 2007 at 8:20 pm
And yeah that man’s beard is slightly unkempt and scraggly looking. A nice neat wee beard is much nicer
and a smaller kufi if he insists on wearing one :p plus no sandals.
The flowers however..will do!
Sumera
December 1, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Thank you liya
Try out weeme for fun and see if its worth putting up on your blog 
I also didn’t like the fact that yahoo has nothing I can hold, like a cuppa coffee, or an umbrella. But what I liked about yahoo is that the avatars look more human, as you said. What’s weird about yahoo is that they include gays/lesbians in their avatars by putting t-shirts supporting them, but they don’t include people who want to wear a piece of cloth on their head.
youngmuslimah, thats my only problem with weemee, that its not human like, but hey, people are sayin mine looks cute so I’m gonna just blush on
Shahrazad, thanks
It’s just like dressing up your doll. I love dressing up my weemee, it relaxes me after a hard day’s work 
Sumera, thaaaank you
My weemee is blushing!!!!!!!!
Sumera, there are many other beards men can choose from on WeeMee which is really cool. I don’t think the kufi comes in a smaller size though
LOOOL@FLOWERS WILL DO, you cracked me up sister, hehehehehe.
Unique Muslimah
December 1, 2007 at 10:22 pm
oh okay lol.. then I don’t need to let you know since you already do. I tried Zwinky before I read your reply, and yeah, it was veryyy retarded.. lol.
AsianPranksta
December 1, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Saffsaff, it even added some adverts on my desktop
Had to uninstall it. I like WeeWorld because you don’t have to install anything!
Unique Muslimah
December 1, 2007 at 11:58 pm
yay
i have a dragon
http://www.weeworld.com/home/humi
F.
December 2, 2007 at 2:01 am
omg F, you look SO COOL!!!!!! Love the pirate/dragon look
Unique Muslimah
December 2, 2007 at 2:12 am
Ahahahahahaha, I love it!
This post (and your latest one) have both totally cracked me up…
I am indebted to WeeWorld for allowing me to be a Muslimah biker chick, a Muslimah Jedi Knight, and a Muslimah hockey player, amongst other things!
AnonyMouse
December 3, 2007 at 5:14 am
I too love WeeMee’s because of the variety and I loved making my room. Mine’s posted on my blog and while it is cute, I’d like a more realistic avatar. Yahoo is lacking Muslim-wise but also all the faces look the same and they’re all skinny. Would it be so bad to have some normal avatars?
Maybe some computer genius is reading your blog and will create the perfect avatar site!
Mona
December 3, 2007 at 9:58 am
Congrats for having your article publicised and recognised!
This is a lovely post!
Achelois
December 3, 2007 at 8:25 pm
LOL, thanks Mousey
Mona, that would be lovely! I have the same feelings, wish they would look more realistic, but anyway alhamduliah
Oh i haven’t tried creating a room yet, I didn’t know that you could make a room until last week!
Achelois, thank you
Unique Muslimah
December 3, 2007 at 8:41 pm
[...] Avatar with the long awaited hijab item. Those who have been following my journey will remember my previous posts discussing my disappointment with Yahoo! Avatars not including a hijab for Muslim women, though [...]
Yahoo! Avatars Finally Recognises Muslim Women « Unique Muslimah
December 20, 2007 at 10:51 pm
IMVU has several choices of hijab sister
wafiia
May 22, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Assalamu alaikum,
Actually, they just posted a new Hijab under the category of SCARFS.
There is only one.. but its better than nothing
As for muslimah clothing.. they have a few modest but modernized outfits..
Just thought I’d give you all the heads up so that you CAN join in on the avatar fun
iammuslim
December 4, 2008 at 9:49 pm