Every year I never know quite how I’m going to feel about Christmas. Sometimes I’m bothered by its prevalence and how omnipresent Christianity is in America’s culture. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like a big deal. This year I feel a little better about it because Diwali actually got some attention. There was a Diwali holiday stamp this year at the post office for the first time and the makeup company M.A.C. made a Diwali-themed makeup pallette. I wasn’t going to... Read more
The article I talked about earlier made me start thinking in a slightly new way. As people of all kinds are being more and more encouraged to express what they’re feeling we have several articles about how it can be distressing to see non-Indian people using symbols and accessories from Hindu and/or Indian culture. And that’s great. I want to hear what people are thinking and feeling. The issue I keep having with these articles is that they are very... Read more
A friend posted this link on Facebook to an article called “11 South Asian Accessories and What they Really Mean” by Aarti Olivia. It is an explanation of some of the most common culturally misappropriated aspects of Indian culture. And there’s still something missing in this conversation. It’s tricky because I don’t want to lessen the voice of a marginalized person. I don’t want to make it all about me. I don’t want to be “not all white people.” I don’t... Read more
I had the idea that I would like to bring Garrick Ravi to India to meet His Holiness. It would have been nice to do when the baby was super little but the timing is just not working out. I wanted to bring Brad for the first time. But it’s too expensive over Christmas, too short over spring break, too hot over summer. I thought summer would be good but His Holiness travels and my father couldn’t put it together.... Read more
You all know how much I love board games. When I discovered that there are contests for designing your own board game, I had to give it a try. A site called The Game Crafter is hosting a contest for an adventure game. I pondered that for a while and thought up all kinds of potential themes but nothing was inspiring me. Then suddenly I thought, why not go for something I’m really familiar with? The Mahabharata! The requirements included... Read more
I don’t know any lullabies and I don’t know many songs. I tried to learn some before my son was born but nothing really stuck. However, I have something just as good as a lullaby. My baby loves Sanskrit chants. I captured this video, though I’m sorry it’s dark and not always pointed in the right direction. But you can see the effect the Perfect Prayer has on Garrick Ravi. It works every time! My husband sings him the Gayatri... Read more
I hate to inflate the man’s ego, but the fact is Trump has God within him just as much as you and I do. If I were a good Hindu I would be able to see and respect God within his form. What really prevents me is that if I were to give him that respect, wouldn’t it be condoning the attitudes and behaviors of his that are deplorable and adharmic? There’s a phrase, hate the sin but love the... Read more
It is surreal to be in a world that would put a racist pig into such a dignified and important office. I never thought it would come to this. At first it was like a joke and now it’s a sick reality. I have to respect that this is what the American people want (unlike our current President I respect democracy. Let’s just hope four years from now we still have democracy). This isn’t a matter of my side losing.... Read more
Diwali (also called Deepavali) is here early this year! It is in fact this weekend, at the same time as Halloween. I’m not sure we’re going to do anything for it this year. I haven’t even put up my lights! For weeks I’ve been telling myself to get them up but it just feels too hard. I guess having an infant is a pretty good excuse. I want to go to the events happening at the nearby Kali temple, but... Read more
I am very distressed to see some of my Hindu friends being taken in by this oaf. He made statements recently that he is a fan of Hinduism and Modi and will stand with Hindus against radical Islamic terrorism. But he knows nothing whatsoever about Hinduism and he has a history of manipulating and lying. He’s saying what he knows certain people want to hear. This entire election season he has bolstered himself by supporting people’s fear and the hate... Read more
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