Sounds like a fun show! Wanted to comment on this part - 'my friend said, ‘Religion brings you closer to your brownness.’ And there is truth in that. It can definitely change who you are surrounded by and what your centre of gravity is as faith isn’t just belief, it’s infrastructure. It places you in spaces where a part of your identity isn’t questioned but reinforced.'
I'd say this definitely isn't the case for -all- South Asians in the UK. Although we'll definitely be a minority within a minority, there are those of us who don't follow any religion or have a faith based life view. Could it simply be the case that Rubina and Poppy fall into that group?
Hey! Thanks for highlighting this part. I thought about how to phrase this 100 times and probably should have expanded further. Totally agree that there are secular/atheist/agnostic South Asians. And those who grow up religious and then leave it as they become adults. That doesn't make them any less brown (obviously!) and was not my point at all. My friend's point was that for me, personally, that has been true. Not 'you' royal, but me. Having grown up mixed, my faith brought me into more brown circles and closer to finding my South Asian-ness. I also think that, especially a generation or two ago in this country and outside of London, it was harder to find South Asian community outside of cultural and religious event. Does that make more sense?
Hey Anisah, thanks for the thoughtful reply. I misread it as a 'general' you. I think I'm sensitive to it because, being not religious, I've often come across the misconception that all UK South Asians are religious. Even from non-south Asian folk who try to use religion as a point of relatability. Their heart is in the right place but I gently remind them that not everyone follows those belief systems.
And yep it's always been a way of binding community too!
I shall re read this in the morning as so many memories are pushing their way to the fore and I need energy to tackle each one. Thank you for ruining my sleep x
Sorry I'm not over the opening - THE STOLEN TICKET!
lmao honestly two years later I'm still not over it!
Sounds like a fun show! Wanted to comment on this part - 'my friend said, ‘Religion brings you closer to your brownness.’ And there is truth in that. It can definitely change who you are surrounded by and what your centre of gravity is as faith isn’t just belief, it’s infrastructure. It places you in spaces where a part of your identity isn’t questioned but reinforced.'
I'd say this definitely isn't the case for -all- South Asians in the UK. Although we'll definitely be a minority within a minority, there are those of us who don't follow any religion or have a faith based life view. Could it simply be the case that Rubina and Poppy fall into that group?
Hey! Thanks for highlighting this part. I thought about how to phrase this 100 times and probably should have expanded further. Totally agree that there are secular/atheist/agnostic South Asians. And those who grow up religious and then leave it as they become adults. That doesn't make them any less brown (obviously!) and was not my point at all. My friend's point was that for me, personally, that has been true. Not 'you' royal, but me. Having grown up mixed, my faith brought me into more brown circles and closer to finding my South Asian-ness. I also think that, especially a generation or two ago in this country and outside of London, it was harder to find South Asian community outside of cultural and religious event. Does that make more sense?
Hey Anisah, thanks for the thoughtful reply. I misread it as a 'general' you. I think I'm sensitive to it because, being not religious, I've often come across the misconception that all UK South Asians are religious. Even from non-south Asian folk who try to use religion as a point of relatability. Their heart is in the right place but I gently remind them that not everyone follows those belief systems.
And yep it's always been a way of binding community too!
I shall re read this in the morning as so many memories are pushing their way to the fore and I need energy to tackle each one. Thank you for ruining my sleep x