Category Archives: culture

cultural translations: salutatory gifts

Posted on April 28, 2012 by

In my mother’s culture, it is customary to bring gifts when visiting a friend or relative. By default, this is usually food, in the nicest dishes you own. My mother would place saran wrap over crystal plates and bowls containing … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | 7 Comments

The Western Muslim Woman, Part III

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

The last installment. This little series has felt quite tentative, possibly because I’d attempted to discuss an expansive subject in three parts. An appreciative ‘thank you’ to anyone who tolerated the disorganized writing and disheveled thoughts between essays and finals. … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, identity, Islam, misconceptions, Muslims, privilege, race | 5 Comments

The Western Muslim Woman, Part II: Visual Presentation and Interpretation

Posted on December 8, 2011 by

Having thrown out the idea of identifying with a race in part I, I feel I should make something clear: as much as I see the social construct of race to be problematic, I am not interested in ripping race … Continue reading →

Posted in body image, color, culture, feminism, identity, Muslims, race, religion | 9 Comments

To Keep in Mind Tomorrow

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

I really love this campaign against the stereotyping and appropriation of non-White cultures for Halloween costumes. And then this one! Okay, the first time I saw that I cringed. My instinct was that the intention of the message was to … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, feminism, race | 2 Comments

a discomfort

Posted on October 7, 2011 by

A quick post, because I have an intense day ahead of me. A couple of weeks ago in class I found myself shifting uncomfortably in my seat, unfortunately not due to any intriguing challenge to my perspective. My English professor, … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, feminism, social justice | 19 Comments

Politically Correct

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

The thing is, it’s called “political correctness” because it is, in fact, correct. The most popular example, the one about “Merry Christmas” being changed to “Happy Holidays”–we say “Happy Holidays” because it’s correct. People are celebrating like six different holidays … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, race | 12 Comments

religion versus culture (hopefully the last entry I’ll ever write on this tired subject)

Posted on May 11, 2011 by

My last post kind of brings me to the insufferable religion versus culture debate, which I’ve been meaning to record, and which I am hoping has been (at least temporarily) put to rest in the comments section of a post … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Islam, religion | Tagged | 1 Comment

Religion and Culture, And Things I Shouldn’t Have to Explain

Posted on February 10, 2011 by

So a few weeks ago I had this conversation online in the comments section of Feministe. This is going to be a snippet of the conversation toward the end, so bear with it. It’s the best way to illustrate my … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, feminism, Islam | Tagged , | 13 Comments