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In the light of the recent focus on 'others' and 'outsiders' in the US, this poem explores the feelings of a woman who chooses to wear the hijab.
In the light of the recent focus on ‘others’ and ‘outsiders’ in the US, this poem explores the feelings of a woman who chooses to wear the hijab (headscarf).
modesty ripped
through a nation’s glare
a hijab unknots in fickle air
running behind cascading pride
outstretched hands fall inches short
as she takes a dive for the silken cloth
paisleys bunch up in graceful folds
gliding fluidly to meet the dust
trembling fingers reach out again to briskly cover the exposed bust
veil of deceit, that filthy rag
a nettlesome itch, a bramble in the eye
the fashion is un-american, they hotly chastise
take it off, let loose that hair
put your patriotism out on garish display
cause this ain’t land for traitors who kneel five times a day
they ask her to dismember a limb
to discard an identity she’s held since nine
her armour, her honour – politically embroiled; she’s shown dresses with rising hemlines
the country is theirs; her days are numbered
dreaded diktat arrives to prove the point
how do you separate body and soul when the two breathe conjoint?
she picks up knickknacks of her life
bottles up feelings, memories in a bag
watching agog the parade of eviction grand marshal flies the freedom flag
wet shame rolls down her cheeks
the dam of restraint finds an unbridled release
spare me, my sisters, she meekly pleads; i shall do as you say… as you please
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Yogyata is the creator, nurturer and Chief Operating Officer of a family of four in Columbus, Ohio. She quit her corporate job after a busy season of uncovering financial infractions to address the more serious read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
It is shameful that in today's world too, women are abused and even killed for giving birth to a girl, and the infant's life is also of no value.
Trigger Warning: This deals with domestic violence, suicide, and violence against women, and may be triggering to survivors.
I am so glad that the esteemed courts are now giving the much-required verdicts regarding certain ideologies that were not at all entertained earlier. I mean we all have studied this much biology at our school level and it is our duty (our generation) to educate our elders about it.
Why someone have to lose a life to bring such awareness to the society. Delhi High Court gave this judgement concerning a case that filed by the deceased daughter’s parents against her in-laws. She committed suicide as she was harassed and tortured for dowry and giving birth to two daughters.
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