This fear of Westernization is prevalent amongst South Asian immigrants; even now, I can remember how after coming home from school, my ‘Britishness’ was often left at the front door. The conflict of inheriting the collectivist culture of India versus growing up in the individualist culture of England often led to confusion and sadness as I grew up and became more aware of my place in society.
Read MoreMy mum and dad loved each other wholly; they just didn’t show it in front of their children. It’s deep-rooted in their Indian upbringing to keep those things private; I do not blame them at all. We were never open about our emotions and from talking to my Indian friends it seems to be the same story in their households. The idea that such a natural activity like sex is taboo in so many households is baffling to me and to this day I am trying to open my dad’s mind to the fact that love is something good.
Read MoreI grew out of that. I was shouting about abortion rights on the internet; I was hungry for change, desperate to be useful in this fight, desperate for abortion to exist without stigma. So why was I scared of claiming ownership over my own experience? I had to face it. I had to say it out loud. I said it quietly at first, never letting it linger in a conversation, kept working at it until I had more confidence. I can say it loud now! I had an abortion! I’m comfortable with it.
Read MoreI hate that the labelling of the white male patriarch as “chauvinist pig” provided a convenient scapegoat for their sexism. I hate how they cannot admit that the work of decolonization requires that they must also let go of their own patriarchal way of thinking and loving. I hate how they can scream “down with white supremacy!” but cannot be pro-woman in their everyday interactions.
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