If you think about it : what are so-called Western clothes?

If you really think about it, Western clothes are not cultural clothing representing any specific ethnicity or nationality. If you really think about it, what we refer to as Western clothes such as pants, shirts, skirts, T-shirts, jeans, are really mass - produced capitalist products. When we rail against Western clothes in order to attack Western culture or apparent lack of values and ethics despite that there is no single Western culture, we are blindly railing against mass-produced clothing. If you really think about it, before factories came along and tailors and fabric shops were chucked out, clothing was hand made. Of course, if you were wealthy, you could afford silks and satins to make ornate gowns by high-end tailors and, if you were poor, you were making your own clothes as per the cultural traditions of your land. But advent of capitalism must have pushed out hand made clothing and, mass produced clothing became the norm and, now, the fashion industry now is apparently the 2nd or 3rd biggest pollutant. 

In Pakistan, we have started consuming fast fashion like nobody's business. It's everywhere and, so-called sales have started producing frenzied shoppers. Of course, tailoring is still in demand and, everyone still gets clothes tailored for both everyday and Eid and weddings. So, guardians of patriarchy should not be worried that Pakistani women aren't covering themselves in so-called traditional garb. 

In Monrovia, too, tailors are busy busy. Women and men love getting traditional outfits tailored. Lappa material though isn't cheap and, it is obvious only those who can really afford it, can wear beautifully made traditional elegant clothes which beat so-called Western attire any day. It is the public , the street sellers, the dangerous unemployed Liberian youth quote unquote, which is wearing used American clothing. 

I noticed the same thing in Ethiopia during my 2018 trip. During various conversations , I learned that people can't really afford to wear traditional clothing and, what's more, imported clothing was also very expensive. 

I remember seeing women wear polyester saris in Mumbai during my 2019 visit. It showed me that ordinary people simply can't afford good quality traditional fabric. They are far removed from good quality, hand-made fabric in today's modern world. And, they are working in factories making fast fashion for high streets in Europe or their own urban centres which sometimes burn down. 

Patriarchy in the Global South rails against Western clothes for no other reason than to control what women wear. 

Feminism doesn't trickle down

Feminism and gender justice don't trickle down when we put women in senior positions in the state or capitalist structures. Liberia is a case in point which elected the first female President in Africa and, has awarded many senior positions to women in its post war era. Liberian women still struggle against sexual violence, poverty, health, injustice, patriarchal norms, etc. It shows what's also needed to bring change: independent grassroots feminism that will challenge the status quo.

I don't know how this phrase came into my mind but I've been thinking about posting thoughts on feminism and activism as March 8 approaches us. I'm happy to be back to my life here in Monrovia (although both the office and apartment locations have changed and I'm adjusting to the new spaces and tropical heat) but I miss Islamabad and the upcoming preparations for International Women's Day.

I met new Pakistani friends at dinner on Friday night (the Pakistani community here seems to be growing fast) and, pleased to meet a fellow feminist albeit she didn't want to say she is a feminist but spoke a thoroughly feminist language. I told her the silver lining of being in Islamabad the past 3 years was the chance to join the feminist movement and learn what it is all about. And, I was inspired by how women are challenging the state, norms, the patriarchy with all their might, their brains , their analysis. That it gives me hope by seeing "kis tarha woh aur hum muqabla kar rahain hain."

I've been following conversations regarding preparations back in Islamabad and keen to see what will be organised here.

I have been thinking about devoting energy to studying independent feminist organisations and activities in Monrovia and indeed rest of Africa after my experience in Pakistan.

Liberia is an interesting case because it enjoyed so much international attention in its post war era but more than that, there was a very strong amazing female-entered narrative: that strong, famous and ordinary women banded together to help stop the civil war and encourage peace talks. And, not only that, great women leaders led the way in the new reformed state that was going to usher in a new era of justice, accountability, peace and equal development. Many women were appointed in senior positions in the Ellen government and, many NGOs sprung up to angle for Western/UN money to work in women's empowerment. Despite all that, Liberian women still suffer and, we still have a vastly underdeveloped country where basic services are still not available and, we are far away from a feminist utopia.

Wealth doesn't trickle down. Neither does feminism!

Back on the hill

We are back on the hill! Can you believe it?