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Why should Democratic Party's Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris' story be so important to the modern Indian women?
Why should Democratic Party’s Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ story be so important to the modern Indian women?
If you follow politics, especially international politics, you must have come across the name Kamala Harris last year. And if not last year, you surely are aware of her by now.
Before anyone objects, this article is both political and non-political. Political, because women’s issues are political. They should be. In politics we study, public is private, and, private is public. Non-political, because this article is not about the Republicans vs Democrats debate. This article doesn’t take any sides.
An Indian immigrant in the US, Shyamala, marries an American citizen, Donald, and gives birth to two daughters, Kamala and Maya. In Kamala’s own words, her mother would take both her daughters to her research lab. While the young girls played, Shyamala would be busy working on her research on breast cancer.
Why should this story be so important for young Indian girls today? Because it reflects a lot of what we are doing today.
Our mothers and sisters have struggled so we stand shoulder to shoulder with men in labs and lecture halls, and every where else.
But most importantly, we still have to take responsibilities of our children. And not every modern Indian family is blessed with a man who would happily take care of the kids while the woman is away working.
Why is this story all the more important?
Because how we weave our stories today can and will inspire our kids, and you never know, may be your family prepares for this nation a Kamala too.
It’s no news that Indira Gandhi was our first female Prime Minister. And that happened a very long ago than most nations had their first female leaders. The US is still struggling.
But what about India’s second female PM? Would it have been possible for Indira Gandhi to lead the nation had she not been the daughter of our first PM?
Politics is still incredibly male dominated. Our females get elected even at the grassroots, but a lot of times the reigns are in the hands of the husband of the village Panchayat head.
Same applies to our Parliament. Every political party has a very strong army of female party workers but they aren’t given ticket to stand and fight in the election. Thirty three percent reservation in our parliament and assemblies is still a dream.
Which is why, a woman running for the second most important office of (supposedly) the most powerful nation on the face of earth is so important for us. That woman looks like us. Her mother was one of us.
Someone from amongst us, who has migrated to the US, might finally feel represented. Women as popular and influential as Padma Lakshmi or Mindy Kaling are rallying for her because they personally feel represented, just like many first and second generation Indians in the US.
And this, overall, is a moment for personal elation for many women who feel represented.
Like most women in the public sphere fighting for their space and rights, Kamala has had her share of struggles. But what most of us still can relate to are the attempts to tarnish her image. Because what better than to malign a woman’s image to harm her? It’s the best feudal weapon.
With little research on the internet, it was clear that she never had an affair with a married man (she was briefly involved with a man who had separated from his wife many years ago). They both have gone on record to clear it. Neither did he do any personal favours for her, because he was influential. He had helped many people, some of who are known public figures today, one of them was Kamala.
But the question remains, had these issues been so important (read gossipy) had Kamala been a man? There are men who fought elections and won, when they had sexual harassment cases against them. And this has happened in all corners of the world.
Many even go on to disagree with her being more vocal about her Black ancestry and not her Indian ancestry. But she is just as proud of her Indian genes, as she is of her Black identity.
Calling herself ‘Brown’ or South Asian is also a smart political move as to take all ‘Browns’ in confidence for a larger vote-bank.
There should not be anything wrong with that. Isn’t that what womanhood and feminism all about? Taking everyone together? Isn’t that what a leader should do during uncertain, trying and at extremely volatile, divided times?
We may or may not like her or agree with her. Her fate on result day shouldn’t bother us. But we cannot ignore the fact that she is one of the most talked about personalities right now, and for all the right reasons.
And as an Indian, and as a woman, her story is the one we can tell in our homes, and office spaces, and be proud. Her story is what should inspire our kids to dream big because dreams see no boundaries or borders.
Picture credits: Still from Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidential debate
Mostly writing, other times painting. Here to celebrate little wins. I am on the same page as you, just a different book - you read mine, I'll read yours. 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.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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