What we are witnessing in Bangladesh is selective liberalization rather than genuine pluralism: political space has reopened for some, particularly the parties that opposed the Awami League (BNP and Jamaat), but not for those whose identities were most systematically delegitimized in the years preceding the uprising.
Secular Space in Bangladesh: Cultural Priming and the Crisis of Pluralism Read More »
A widespread campaign to ban books written about or by people of color or LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. is underway, hindering youth from reading books that represent diverse identities or a holistic history of America.
The U.S. War against Books and Education: Interview with Josh Malkin Read More »
Accusations of atheism led to the brutal attack of many secularists and blogger activists in Bangladesh. It also led to other rarely discussed consequences.
“Atheism” as Bangladeshi Weapon Read More »
People A social studies teacher is fired for stating that white privilege is an established fact in his “Contemporary Issues” class and for showing a poetry performance by a Black woman. An English high school teacher is fired after parents complained about her reading and writing assignments on an award-winning young adult novel in her
Education: Sometimes We Should Feel Uncomfortable Read More »
At this 30th year anniversary, the online magazine of Shuddhashar is a biography – or autobiography? – of Shuddhashar and its publisher. I was first introduced to Shuddhashar in February 2018. At that time, Shuddhashar had been online for a little more than a year. I read the articles. The bimonthly magazine issues were hopeful
Shuddhashar’s Online Magazine as (Auto)Biography Read More »
Migrants. Immigrants. Emigrants. Refugees. Aliens. Asylum seekers. Exiles. Asylees. Nonimmigrant. Émigré. Illegal aliens. Legal aliens. Deportees. Expats. Displaced people. Diaspora. The Age of Refugees Migrating – and population movement in general – is a human condition. We all move with a desire to live fulfilling lives, to survive, and to better ourselves. For such
The Exile’s In-betweenness Read More »
The torching of Ranesh Thakur’s music room, where he stored his musical instruments and 40 years’ worth of books containing traditional knowledge and Baul songs, is the latest of a series of attacks against humanists and minorities in Bangladesh. The persecution of Bauls is not new. During the 19th and early 20th centuries in the
The persecution of Bauls is not new. It must stop Read More »
The Trial of God As a prisoner in Auschwitz, where some of the worst atrocities in Nazi camps took place, 15-year-old Elie Wiesel watched as three pious Jewish scholars put God on trial for the suffering of his people. After a lengthy debate and trial, they concluded with their verdict: God was guilty. They fell
Debate, Dissent, and Blasphemy Read More »
It is increasingly clear how fear can bring out our inhumanity. With instructions to practice social distancing, stop border crossings, self-quarantine, or obey lockdowns comes a very familiar fear about the danger of others. The virus is real; the danger is real. Covid-19 is new threat that has manifested as a global pandemic. However, some
Practice Social Solidarity, Not Social Distancing, During the Pandemic Read More »
It’s 2020, and from our standpoint in the U.S., what do we see? On January 15, 2020, the state of Virginia became the 38th U.S. state to vote in favor of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA would amend the U.S. Constitution to guarantee that all citizens have the same rights regardless of
The F Word in 20/20 Read More »
This year marks 400 years since slaves were first brought to the shores of what is now the United States of America. Unlike other notable anniversaries, this is not a cause for celebration. But it should, however, motivate us to reflect and to take stock of where we are today. Yet that is exactly the
Skin Deep in America Read More »
