Disorganized Thoughts!
It is another day with a bright morning. A day when an authoritative Government ended and another one is forming. When we felt super happy to end injustice through a great student-led movement but right after that we are scared to see minorities being attacked and abused. Thought of noting down my thoughts.
By this time, many people are being visible, loud and important. In the middle of the competition of who is more important, who did what — I felt like stepping aside hiding in a corner and being invisible. We had enough capable people on the ground, I can be useful by providing views from the side.
At this time, there is a lot of finger-pointing. It struck me first when someone mentioned my name saying, “you will now force people to wear burqa”. She meant it about political ideologies and to show her disagreement with the student movement, the movement I visibly supported. It was surprising to see how no one protested in a closed feminist group. Standing by minority needs layers of sensitivity — an educated empowered woman can feel bullied and needs a space to breathe sometimes.
Although the protest was anti-injustice it is soon taking black and white colors. I want to write down where I stand so that I can revisit it later after years. Reminding myself to remain grounded to my position. I stand for anti-injustice, anti-extremism and ani-war criminal (1971) and stand for pro-love.
Anti-injustice means I will stand against it even if it is the most dear one and specially it is me, myself. It is against the injustice not the person. But sometimes it becomes hard to separate — the person becomes intertangled with the injustice.
Anti-extremism comes in various hidden packages. There are extremists among Awami, BNP, Jamat etc. type of political groups, extremists among women’s activists who cannot tolerate practicing Muslims and I have even seen hardcore extremists among a few Vegans (did not expect it really, I have really nice friends but its true)! If I can have space for you, don’t you need to have some for me?
Ani-war criminal, rajakar — the 1971 war criminals … there is nothing to explain. There is simply no way to compromise this.
Pro-love is where I stand. The people around me have inspired me in this way — I was the emotional, judgemental and angry woman (still am). My mother, spouse, daughters, friends, gurus, research groups, inclusive communities all have shaped me and still is. Its amazing how I am surrounded by people full of love.
I am hoping that love will overcome all. We can only make changes happy with love. Its so powerful that its scary. Its so bold that it is acknowledged as weakness. Its so loud that it can only be felt beyond hearing. Love you.
