Felt 'happy' in my hair...

Too many words pour out of my pen – I feel, my mind requires moderation. I feel, I think in too many languages. Perhaps because,my mind is hybrid of three different cultures.

It is understandably difficult for people to understand me –but I never understood why am I so misunderstood!

People often ask me, in fact, this is often the first question I encounter at any social/professional/unprofessional setting – “Where do you come from?”--and the ‘country guessing’ ranges from Singapore to Sudan to Sri-Lanka ! Back then, as a 10 year old, it was a hard question to answer. I often thought – should I describe my nationality according to the passport I carry? The place I was born?Or the nationality of my parent, if so, then by my mother or father?Or a TCK">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid>TCK?

I decided to describe myself as a ‘Middle-Eastern– South Asian Hybrid Girl’,This description, to me, felt perfect ! I was comfortable and happy.

I was born and breed in KSA. My dad comes from Karachi,Pakistan. Growing up, I learned, due to my dual ethnicity I had to ‘prove my loyalty’ or otherwise, to receive the minimum level of respect. I battled stereotypes and discrimination(overt/covert) everyday and I still do, every day – everyday I wake up, look at the mirror, to remind myself that I am a women, a women of colour.

Although outlooks on gender has been changing in the country but race and ethnicity has received few momentum to progress.

During High school two years back,I would resist discriminatory behaviour based on gender,race or ethnicity at personal level, being rational and calm yet vocal in such situations. Now, I have shifted my attention to solve this issues at a higher level.

How ?..(coming soon)

You don’t need to dig deeper to find women of Arab and Asian countries experiencing similar issues – albeit for different reasons.

Two bring various communities to connect with the other,I hope to look for ‘connections’, positive connections, stories of love, pain, success and achievement–as shared connection often supersede biased beliefs.What could bring about a better transformation than connecting one women to another!

I came across World pulse founder Jensine Larsen’s interview online – the same day I saw the 2010 VOF program posted on IJNet ( international journalists network). I thought ‘the universe’ might be sending me a signal ! ‘universe’s signal’ or not –I found the WP refreshing!

World pulse is a wonderful place where all women dance together albeit in different tunes!

I am stunned to find women engaging and communicating with women not based on class but courage, not based on employment or education status but energy and enthusiasm– To recapitulate my impression of world pulse figuratively– Upon stumbling WP site, I felt pure optimism in my heart and happy in my hair !

Whether you had a torment past or a smooth sailing life– all your varied voices are voracious for change!