Writer and full time thinker
“…Goddess Durga Resides in our Hearts, Not on your Swimsuit!…
Where do we draw the line with cross-cultural fashion? Read my latest Brown Girl Magazine feature here
“….Actor, feminist, humanitarian — just a few words that describe the dynamite who is Jameela Jamil. It was February 2009, when this quirky, tall and slightly nervous looking British South Asian presenter exploded on to U.K.’s Channel 4. The cynic in me, of course, assumed this was just a strategy to tick the “brown skin on-screen” box. How wrong was I?!…”
Read my latest Brown Girl Magazine feature on why we all need a BFF like Jameela Jamil here.
Brown Girl Magazine U.K. exhibited “Disrupt” at TedxUCLWomen – a collection of stories at the that represent how, through our platform, across the world, South Asian women are “disrupting” the status quo and shaking up the dialogue in our communities. By championing women of colour who disrupt the narrative of cultural or societal formed norms – through arts, politics, or simply humanitarian channels, these stories are a reflection of how each of these women are shifting paradigms to create their own paths that define their individuality. Check out the photos from the event below.
Brown Girl Magazine was created by and for South Asian women globally who believe in the power of storytelling as a vehicle for community building and empowerment. BGM U.K. will display a collection of stories at the TedXUCLWomen exhibition that represent how, through our platform, across the world, South Asian women are “disrupting” the status quo and shaking up the dialogue in our communities. By championing women of colour who disrupt the narrative of cultural or societal formed norms – through arts, politics, or simply humanitarian channels, these stories are a reflection of how each of these women are shifting paradigms to create their own paths that define their individuality.
“….The lack of understanding regarding childhood sexual abuse and traditional views of a patriarchal honour based community, unfortunately, favours the concept of remaining silent and demonising any calls for justice..”
Read all about ANBU – Abuse Never Becomes Us – a charity supporting survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) in the Tamil community and their upcoming event on 17 November in my latest Brown Girl Magazine feature here
…”In the journey of creating an identity on foreign soil, South Asian family and friends alike stick together in times of both successes and struggles. So, should we feel guilty when we turn to a medical professional in moments of despair, if every door around us appears shut?…”
Read my full article on what stops South Asians from discussing mental health in my latest Brown Girl Magazine feature here.
Desi Reads is a reader-focused platform, founded by Anjali Mya Chadha and Sejal Sehmi, to help book lovers find authors and writer’s linked to South Asia. Set up by four avid readers who were forever struggling to find books linked to South Asia, their own experiences and protagonists whom they identify with. We’ll help you discover up-and-coming literary talent and undiscovered gems, all connected to the Indian subcontinent – from exciting books and authors to the hottest blogs. Visit www.thedesireads.com today and check out our exclusive interview with our Featured Writer, Vaseem Khan.
..”So let’s talk! Let’s talk about grief, about loss, about that gap we are feeling. Let’s stop conforming to societal ideals of behavioural patterns, stop the judgement of who is hurting more than who by decibels of cries. Cast aside criticisms of not adhering to customs for the sake of one’s sanity, and an individual’s right to express and not suppress..”
Read my latest feature with Mann Mukti, on breaking stereotypes of dealing with grief.
Originally published here
“It’s often been said that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Being a woman of South Asian descent, however, I firmly believe that there is no bigger love for a desi woman than that of her mother’s soul-infused culinary delights…#FoodForThought reflected precisely that!”
Check out my latest Brown Girl Magazine feature here on the talented Anjali Mya Chadha‘s clever production on food and empowerment with Tara Arts.
Not enough credit is given to those fathers that raise a daughter to be a feminist and remind me that I am more than just an element of my cultural background – I am me. So Pops, I want to thank you today for being more than just a father, but for being a friend to me and my sisters. You have never let me forget that honesty and sincerity come hand in hand with hard work if I really want to reach for success. Thank you for always supporting me in my life choices and defending me against the stereotypes of following an expected linear path just to uphold societal acceptance. My passion for travelling was inherited from your curiosity of the beauty of this planet and it’s because of the sacrifices you and mum made that I was privileged to explore the world from such a young age. Thank you for always listening and never judging, something I can only strive to continually do. Most importantly, thank you for trusting me as YOUR friend, for picking up the phone and turning to me when you also needed a friendly ear. If there is one thing I would ask you to do, is love yourself as much as me and the girls love you. Don’t underestimate the importance you hold in our lives. You held my hand, now let me hold yours. Love you always and more… Seju xx
Read the full Brown Girl Magazine Writers’ Father’s Day Tribute here
Sejal Sehmi 