I love this Zoha. This might be one of the best pieces I’ve read in a while. It’s refreshing to read a POV that doesn’t romanticize colonization and white culture.
Thank you! Yes I’m in a phase where I’m sick of how (specifically white) people think westernism is the pinnacle of progression, that’s simply not the case, although I think my note underneath the prose does clarify my actual reasoning behind it. I’m glad you liked this, I’m sure it doesn’t sit well with many but nevertheless🤍
this is stunning. i’m sorry anyone’s made you feel like this is a controversial piece, i loved reading it and kept finding more and more gems in it as i went on! this will stick with me, thank you 🤍
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed this<3. No one really said this was controversial, although while abroad I have had experiences where ‘white’ people tend to act without understanding we still have to pay for all the damages of colonization, and that their taxes still send weapons and destruction upon our land, also it does stem from the way foreigners come here and act. I’m not sure if you’ve seen the videos, but as kind as they do seem with their surprise of the ‘hospitality’ (as if we’re savages) just doesn’t sit right with me. Can’t quite pinpoint it.
yes i’ve seen videos - as a british person it’s very embarrassing to watch. i’ve talked a little bit about national shame on my substack (my girlfriend is Irish so i’m maybe a bit more in tune to the way brits are awful lol) but i don’t think many are willing to accept their insensitivity. a lot of it is naivety, i know i used to be naive, but when people were compassionate enough towards me to point out my privilege, so i could be better, i was so grateful. others have more fragile egos i guess. i wish these people wouldn’t travel and spread their arrogance though
Massive respect for you just because I adore Irish people and trust their decisions blindly lmao. Jokes aside I'm happy you took the time to educate yourself, many don't. I think we're always either vessels of pity, savages, or "surprisingly progressive' to them. Like a culture that is not western is not one full of savages, South Asia gave the world spices, inspired your poets and musicians who profit off our work's plagiarism, all those 'gypsy core' clothes are just south asian/arabic patterns too.
I think at the same time I do know it's not purposeful, because a lot of people aren't intentionally cruel, but it's irritating to hear 'your english is so good' from a white kid who you happen to be tutoring in English, or surprise when they realise we have developed cities, rich people, fancy restaurants or that we can enjoy things without them being european/american. Sometimes I'll see them dismiss people online on those travel vlogs- those people who don't speak English as 'illiterate'. I can understand what they say, and as someone who's mother is a massive business tycoon but never bothered to learn English fluently I promise you that fluency in one language is not an indication of intelligence.
Now when they want to be 'cultured and spiritual' they come to our countries with a concocted minset and it's such clownery. We've been around much longer than most of the european/american/british world, the first civilization was founded in Pakistan. I wish people understood that. (I'm sorry abt the rant I'm very passionate abt this lol)
Plus all the poverty and corruption today is literally a result of all the impact of the western world, Pakistan helped America find 'terrorists' (lets not even get into the bin laden part bc I could go on and on abt that) and we lost 70,000 CIVILIANS in the process, we're still a 'terrorist country'. As for the 'danger' (which is so exaggerated) when you don't have money, you can't develop a country it's as simple as that. Guess where all our money went :) The West.
no please don’t apologise for the rant! it’s really interesting and more people should hear it. i agree with you, and even if it’s not intentionally cruel it doesn’t make it less of an issue, and you absolutely shouldn’t have to reassure white people when you’re expressing this.
honestly we do just suck lol. i tutor kids from Eastern Europe and they romanticise the USA and UK sooo much - i always tell them we’re all way less clever bc most of us can only speak English, and expect everyone else to cater to us which is 100% not okay!
i’ve never visited Pakistan but i’m in south-east Asia currently and it annoys me to no end when people complain about foreigner taxes, meanwhile they’re bragging about their 6 month backpacking trip and locals can’t afford to leave their area. there’s also the using kids they don’t know for social media content, which they wouldn’t do in their home country. there’s definitely ignorance there but a lot of that comes from arrogance and it’s really harmful. i don’t know what’s it’s like to watch people come to your country and treat it that way but if it were me, i imagine i’d be angry
I think another thing is that people in the west thing having a minority card of any sort (be it trans, gay, poor neighbourhood, mental illness etc) cancels out their white privilege card- that's not true.
Also I would love for you to visit this country- Pakistan does need its image to change and I'd love if it were people such as you who came and reaped the beauty our land has to offer. I do get angry, but unfortunately we're in a position as a country where our every move is being watched. When our previous prime minister refused to put American basis in pakistan- shit hit the fan real bad. (America calls it a 'conspiracy' but its not lol') furthermore when foreigners come here they go to insanely dangerous places sometimes, then (granted its not right to victim blame but let me contextualise) when we vehemently warn them not to and they get into danger, they complain. Like yes obviously its not right what happened- but have you realised there was a reason the entire country told you not to go/do something?
I might be reading too much into it lmao but the last line stood out so much. "I ended up paying the bill" — the colonizers come with all their flair and arrogance and we are left to pay for the consequences of it.
One of things that I find annoying sometimes when tourists come to India is to ask if we speak “Indian”. And also when they are surprised to find long Muslim history and culture especially in cities like mine. (I’m from Hyderabad).
And also I just find it funny how the tourists learn a sentence or two ans say it in the most butchered way possible and the people encourage them and listen while when let’s say a desi travels abroad and speaks in decent English, he’s criticized of his slight accent.
Thank you! Also honestly I don’t mind the effort of those who try, I mean everyone has an accent, no one speaks fluently, we make fun of them trying when they come to. However the attitude of a lot of them is🙄
“The English language is a cowardly one- I think. The old and young have no distinction; there are not enough endearments to use between lovers, and surely not enough rage for the world. I’ve noticed the moon has rarely ever possessed their poets as well, a shame.
Honestly couldn’t agree more!
Beautifully written and thought provoking piece as always!!
Thank you so much Abdulrahman, kind words as always! I think there’s a sense of irony that I wrote this piece in English but alas there’s nothing like a mother tongue.
I know but i feel like it’s perfectly fine to have a critique of the language while simultaneously using or valuing it. I myself respect the English language, but I’ve always felt that the lack of distinction between the old and young is somewhat odd. Maybe it’s because my native language, Yoruba, really places value and respect in the way we address the elderly as opposed to the way we address our mates, and I know the same goes for Urdu as well.
So yeah, not that because of that we now hate English or anything, it’s just a critique and I think it’s okay yk
That’s quite interesting as I hold a similar view, from what I can say I do think it stems from we value community and tribe a lot more, therefore there’s more of a distinction between how to refer to individuals in it
Yes exactly! I guess it boils down to the whole individualistic vs collectivistic mindset. Ours is more of a collectivistic culture, and theirs, generally speaking, is more of a individualistic culture, and it reflect even in their language.
I do not disagree with your comment in the slightest, however this was more about my own perspective. Unfortunately we need to understand that a mass majority of us are illiterate, white skin is a sense of liberation and freedom to them, it’s our job to teach them otherwise and even those in our own circles, but this post also stemmed from my own observations of watching all those tourist videos of people coming to Pakistan lol. Thank you for such an insightful comment!
Also yeah the post colonial hangover NEEDS to go 😬😬 it’s everywhere, school, conversation, history, mindsets, the way our gov bends to the will of the west, the facade of westernism as “modernism” it’s just🤦🏻♀️
I agree, but it's not just the illiterate people propagating these ideologies, literal billionaires like the guy to founded Bahria towns with the Eiffel towers. There is no reason for those people to be illiterate and they are the leaders who are feeding into this inferiority complex when they have no reason to.
I love this Zoha. This might be one of the best pieces I’ve read in a while. It’s refreshing to read a POV that doesn’t romanticize colonization and white culture.
Thank you! Yes I’m in a phase where I’m sick of how (specifically white) people think westernism is the pinnacle of progression, that’s simply not the case, although I think my note underneath the prose does clarify my actual reasoning behind it. I’m glad you liked this, I’m sure it doesn’t sit well with many but nevertheless🤍
this is stunning. i’m sorry anyone’s made you feel like this is a controversial piece, i loved reading it and kept finding more and more gems in it as i went on! this will stick with me, thank you 🤍
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed this<3. No one really said this was controversial, although while abroad I have had experiences where ‘white’ people tend to act without understanding we still have to pay for all the damages of colonization, and that their taxes still send weapons and destruction upon our land, also it does stem from the way foreigners come here and act. I’m not sure if you’ve seen the videos, but as kind as they do seem with their surprise of the ‘hospitality’ (as if we’re savages) just doesn’t sit right with me. Can’t quite pinpoint it.
yes i’ve seen videos - as a british person it’s very embarrassing to watch. i’ve talked a little bit about national shame on my substack (my girlfriend is Irish so i’m maybe a bit more in tune to the way brits are awful lol) but i don’t think many are willing to accept their insensitivity. a lot of it is naivety, i know i used to be naive, but when people were compassionate enough towards me to point out my privilege, so i could be better, i was so grateful. others have more fragile egos i guess. i wish these people wouldn’t travel and spread their arrogance though
Massive respect for you just because I adore Irish people and trust their decisions blindly lmao. Jokes aside I'm happy you took the time to educate yourself, many don't. I think we're always either vessels of pity, savages, or "surprisingly progressive' to them. Like a culture that is not western is not one full of savages, South Asia gave the world spices, inspired your poets and musicians who profit off our work's plagiarism, all those 'gypsy core' clothes are just south asian/arabic patterns too.
I think at the same time I do know it's not purposeful, because a lot of people aren't intentionally cruel, but it's irritating to hear 'your english is so good' from a white kid who you happen to be tutoring in English, or surprise when they realise we have developed cities, rich people, fancy restaurants or that we can enjoy things without them being european/american. Sometimes I'll see them dismiss people online on those travel vlogs- those people who don't speak English as 'illiterate'. I can understand what they say, and as someone who's mother is a massive business tycoon but never bothered to learn English fluently I promise you that fluency in one language is not an indication of intelligence.
Now when they want to be 'cultured and spiritual' they come to our countries with a concocted minset and it's such clownery. We've been around much longer than most of the european/american/british world, the first civilization was founded in Pakistan. I wish people understood that. (I'm sorry abt the rant I'm very passionate abt this lol)
Plus all the poverty and corruption today is literally a result of all the impact of the western world, Pakistan helped America find 'terrorists' (lets not even get into the bin laden part bc I could go on and on abt that) and we lost 70,000 CIVILIANS in the process, we're still a 'terrorist country'. As for the 'danger' (which is so exaggerated) when you don't have money, you can't develop a country it's as simple as that. Guess where all our money went :) The West.
Also will definitely check out your substack! Very interested to know how this all translates from another perspective
no please don’t apologise for the rant! it’s really interesting and more people should hear it. i agree with you, and even if it’s not intentionally cruel it doesn’t make it less of an issue, and you absolutely shouldn’t have to reassure white people when you’re expressing this.
honestly we do just suck lol. i tutor kids from Eastern Europe and they romanticise the USA and UK sooo much - i always tell them we’re all way less clever bc most of us can only speak English, and expect everyone else to cater to us which is 100% not okay!
i’ve never visited Pakistan but i’m in south-east Asia currently and it annoys me to no end when people complain about foreigner taxes, meanwhile they’re bragging about their 6 month backpacking trip and locals can’t afford to leave their area. there’s also the using kids they don’t know for social media content, which they wouldn’t do in their home country. there’s definitely ignorance there but a lot of that comes from arrogance and it’s really harmful. i don’t know what’s it’s like to watch people come to your country and treat it that way but if it were me, i imagine i’d be angry
I think another thing is that people in the west thing having a minority card of any sort (be it trans, gay, poor neighbourhood, mental illness etc) cancels out their white privilege card- that's not true.
Also I would love for you to visit this country- Pakistan does need its image to change and I'd love if it were people such as you who came and reaped the beauty our land has to offer. I do get angry, but unfortunately we're in a position as a country where our every move is being watched. When our previous prime minister refused to put American basis in pakistan- shit hit the fan real bad. (America calls it a 'conspiracy' but its not lol') furthermore when foreigners come here they go to insanely dangerous places sometimes, then (granted its not right to victim blame but let me contextualise) when we vehemently warn them not to and they get into danger, they complain. Like yes obviously its not right what happened- but have you realised there was a reason the entire country told you not to go/do something?
I might be reading too much into it lmao but the last line stood out so much. "I ended up paying the bill" — the colonizers come with all their flair and arrogance and we are left to pay for the consequences of it.
That was definitely purposeful! Surprised and very very glad someone caught it.
my god, this made me tear up. you encapsulated so much of what i thought over & over for so many years. you’re truly an amazing writer ❤️🩹
Thank you so much that’s so kind of you!!🫶🏽
this is so well written and well thought out im in awe
Thank you so much!
Love this so much!
One of things that I find annoying sometimes when tourists come to India is to ask if we speak “Indian”. And also when they are surprised to find long Muslim history and culture especially in cities like mine. (I’m from Hyderabad).
And also I just find it funny how the tourists learn a sentence or two ans say it in the most butchered way possible and the people encourage them and listen while when let’s say a desi travels abroad and speaks in decent English, he’s criticized of his slight accent.
Thank you! Also honestly I don’t mind the effort of those who try, I mean everyone has an accent, no one speaks fluently, we make fun of them trying when they come to. However the attitude of a lot of them is🙄
Very true!
what a way with words you have, well done!
Thank you so much Emma!
Much love and respect Zoha
Thank you Mohammed!
Serious banger
Thank you!
“The English language is a cowardly one- I think. The old and young have no distinction; there are not enough endearments to use between lovers, and surely not enough rage for the world. I’ve noticed the moon has rarely ever possessed their poets as well, a shame.
Honestly couldn’t agree more!
Beautifully written and thought provoking piece as always!!
Thank you so much Abdulrahman, kind words as always! I think there’s a sense of irony that I wrote this piece in English but alas there’s nothing like a mother tongue.
I know but i feel like it’s perfectly fine to have a critique of the language while simultaneously using or valuing it. I myself respect the English language, but I’ve always felt that the lack of distinction between the old and young is somewhat odd. Maybe it’s because my native language, Yoruba, really places value and respect in the way we address the elderly as opposed to the way we address our mates, and I know the same goes for Urdu as well.
So yeah, not that because of that we now hate English or anything, it’s just a critique and I think it’s okay yk
That’s quite interesting as I hold a similar view, from what I can say I do think it stems from we value community and tribe a lot more, therefore there’s more of a distinction between how to refer to individuals in it
Yes exactly! I guess it boils down to the whole individualistic vs collectivistic mindset. Ours is more of a collectivistic culture, and theirs, generally speaking, is more of a individualistic culture, and it reflect even in their language.
this is amazing good lord
Thank you so much!!
I do not disagree with your comment in the slightest, however this was more about my own perspective. Unfortunately we need to understand that a mass majority of us are illiterate, white skin is a sense of liberation and freedom to them, it’s our job to teach them otherwise and even those in our own circles, but this post also stemmed from my own observations of watching all those tourist videos of people coming to Pakistan lol. Thank you for such an insightful comment!
Also yeah the post colonial hangover NEEDS to go 😬😬 it’s everywhere, school, conversation, history, mindsets, the way our gov bends to the will of the west, the facade of westernism as “modernism” it’s just🤦🏻♀️
I agree, but it's not just the illiterate people propagating these ideologies, literal billionaires like the guy to founded Bahria towns with the Eiffel towers. There is no reason for those people to be illiterate and they are the leaders who are feeding into this inferiority complex when they have no reason to.
I also said “in our own circles”😭
ya that's true, honestly, all we can do is spread awareness. I really appreciate this post Zoha, it was really said!