Naming the different kinds of supremacism that I have encountered in my life time and in different countries.
Image by Nathaliya Voitkevich on Pexels5th decade. Bahrain
Ageism, sexism, misogyny, anti-biology:
As a “mature” woman, I am neither supposed to reveal my age or fecundity (post-menopause). I am supposed to hide my wrinkles and grey hair.
Nationalism, classism, racism:
I have different privileges and lifestyle than other South Asian women my age because of my passport and who I am married to.
Image by
Cup of Couple on Pexels4th decade. Bahrain, Ireland
Ageism:
*Too ‘old’ to be a first-time mother.
*”Is that your grand-daughter?”
Misogyny, sexism, anti-biology, discrimination:
*Hospital birth experience.
*Motherhood – you can do it all
*Menopause shame
*Rejected as potential tenants because I seemed to be a “single mother” (Ireland)
Racism:
*”Are you the nanny ?” (Bahrain)
*Microaggression & exclusion (Ireland)
*My white-skinned child labelled “brown”.
Childism, ableism:
Expecting young children to have self-control and ability beyond their developmental age.
Prejudice:
home education
Colonialism of yoga and spirituality.
Abuse of power dynamics and scope of practice.
Image by Mariia Ivanova on Pexels3rd decade: U.S., Bahrain
– graduate school
– post doctoral positions
– adjunct lectureship
Sexism, misogyny:
– salary, bonuses, job titles
– husband has to organize banking, car repair etc. (Bahrain)
Racism, classism:
witnessed racism towards Black children and teenagers and classism with lower-income neighbours. (U.S.)
Image by
Yasmine Qasem on Pexels2nd decade, U.S.
– graduate school
– lab technician
– high school teacher
Sexism, misogyny:
– sexual harassment
– hiring politics
Racism:
community tensions
Childism, ableism:
school system
Image by
Jonathan Borba on Pexels 1st decade, Kuwait, U.S.
– menstrual & body shame
– sexual harassment
– exploitation of power dynamics
Political status:
undocumented immigrant
Discrimination:
social exclusion in high school
Prejudices (mine):
– Anti-refugees
– Homophobic
– Racist against Blacks and South Asians
Image by
Dasha on PexelsEarly years, Kuwait
– First-born daughter in a S.Asian family
– Sexual harrasment
– Invited to be an altar boy because of haircut
Childism:
– corporal punishments
– public shaming
Racism, classism, colonialism:
– Migrant, S.Asian family in the Middle East.
– S. Asian student in a British School
