Showed up for moral support at a student advocacy meeting with the powers that be early in the morning. (I found myself picking pants over a skirt as I got dressed because I feel I'm taken more seriously when I'm in pants. This is probably true, but I hate the internalized femmephobia of this.)
I was so proud of and so moved by the students who showed up, spoke up, held space for others, held their ground, and held us accountable. I may have cried a bit when it was over--they were so brave and amazing. And also, so young and so deserving of not having to spend their time and energy and wellbeing on meetings like these. How is it that we're still working so hard for basic freedoms decades into the 21st century?
I got so much support from the fam on this. From BD supporting my decision to prioritize conscience over diplomacy and career security, Nu's disdainful anger and outrage, and At's organizational chops and doc review. I'm a lucky duck.
Pic: The moon at sunset yesterday. So much celestial activity this week! Growing up in Chennai I remember the Eid date determined by whether the local imam sighted the new moon or not. So friends wouldn't know if they were ending their fasts that day or the next! This year, I'm celebrating the end of a successful Ramzan with friends across the globe. May there be hope and joy and goodness and good works.
5 comments:
Nice.
Very proud of you Maya!
I'm just imagining being unsure of when you'd end a month long fast - whoa. From a practical point, think of all the women (I'm sure it is all women) who would be wanting to prepare a big Eid feast, but not sure what day. Isn't that (as Mrs Lynde would say) just like a man?
It's great you are so involved with advocacy on campus and modeling it for students and learning from them, too. They will always remember that.
Eid Mubarak!
I'm not in the least surprised that you're supportive and involved in student advocacy. They'll be more likely to back academic staff if they see you standing up for them. (And it's just the right thing to do.)
Nicole--thank you. Can you imagine, this hadn't occurred to me until you pointed it out! Yes, that would be particularly stressful!
Gillian, Steph, and Nance--thank you. Yes, it's the right thing to do.
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