Posted on 03 December 2008 by Kia Abdullah
After a disastrous wedding and a disastrous start to her honeymoon, Kia explains why she’s not braving the ‘home of the brave’ anytime soon…
It was meant to be a small but classy wedding; 100 guests at a local venue enjoying a carefully selected menu from Gulshan Iqbal. As I stood there in my stunning lengha [...][...more]
Posted on 03 October 2008 by Kia Abdullah
If taboo subjects were discussed more openly, maybe we’d realise that words are just words with no power to cause harm.
I’ve watched porn and I’ve enjoyed it.
Is that disgusting? Is it shocking? Perhaps you think it’s uncouth or just a bit trashy. Maybe you’re asking, “How could she admit that in public?” or perhaps you’re [...][...more]
Posted on 04 September 2008 by Kia Abdullah
We use racial stereotypes in banter but there is a darker side to our generation
Gujaratis are stuck up.
Pakistanis are stingy.
Indians run corner shops.
Sri Lankans own petrol stations.
And Bengalis are obsessed with fish.
Right?
Ok, not right, but how many of us have used one of those stereotypes to make fun of a friend? How many of us [...][...more]
Posted on 01 August 2008 by Kia Abdullah
Why are so many of us giving up on the language we were raised with?
“I’m going to come back for them,” I say, pointing to the sandals I had picked out.
The woman at the counter looks at me with disdain.
“Me vapas ayenge,” I venture.
She nods and dismisses me with a wave.
“Thank you,” I say and [...][...more]
Posted on 02 July 2008 by Kia Abdullah
Should Asian attitudes towards flesh flashing be changed or maintained?
“Slut alert,” says a girl sitting at the next table. Her friends shriek and erupt in a fit of giggles. I follow their gaze, silently questioning the calibre of clientele at this slightly-pretentious central London bar. My gaze settles on a young Asian girl as she [...][...more]
Posted on 01 June 2008 by Kia Abdullah
Why do Asian girls feel the constant need to prove their superiority over men?
All Asian girls straighten their hair.
All Asian girls wear black all the time.
All Asian girls can’t live without eyeliner.
All statements I have heard and taken umbrage to in the past. I, like most Asian girls, bridle at stereotypes which pigeonhole us all [...][...more]