Creating Kalaashakti, a series of workshops centered on spiritual activism and healing, was a personal labor of love. The spiritual activism of these workshops was an experiment in a different kind of anti-violence, one that increased our inner fortitude to be with suffering and know it intimately, and open ourselves to healing in community — … Read More
Since bigotry and fearmongering continue to be a winning political strategy in US elections, it’s not a surprise that many candidates during this off-year cycle have cashed in on anti-immigrant, racist rhetoric and campaign imagery. It is worth noting, though, as the 2017 elections wrap up, how blatantly obvious and revolting this messaging was in … Read More
Hindu nationalists are up to their fascist antics yet again, this time in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in India. Sangeet Som, a lawmaker from the the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed at a political rally on October 16th that the revered Taj Mahal was a “blot on Indian culture” built by depraved … Read More
The future is intersectional. The day after Barack Obama was first elected President of the United States in 2008, my 10th grade homeroom teacher, a stout woman with a voice like an idling car engine, came to school wearing black. She was, as she winkingly explained, in mourning. And she wasn’t alone in her attitude; … Read More
Khizr Khan, the father of an American soldier who died in Iraq, delivered a speech about American democracy on Thursday at the Democratic National Convention. Hillary Clinton introduced Khizr Khan as an immigrant who came from the United Arab Emirates with his family, including his then 2-year-old son Humayun Khan, who would later serve in … Read More
i walked down to the turnstile and saw two women standing properly their heels behind the yellow paint. they looked like they had never been here before. i smiled and said hello and they chose to do the opposite and so i looked forward and turn my smile back to a resting and empty face. they wore long black coats with … Read More
