In solidarity, we heal

By Nikita Yasmin Shah

In solidarity, nodding heads, clicking fingers

We feel seen, we feel heard, we feel accepted, 

We don't feel 

alone.

Sharing notes on our experiences,

Lightened is our emotional burden,

Recognised is our collective emotional labour.

A moment of empowerment, a step towards change,

and if not change, yet, a step towards building a community.

In solidarity, the confidence to keep fighting 

An urge to not rub away the wounds to soften the blow as brown fragility emerges

South Asian solidarity, allyship, we need a frank conversation. 

Amongst ourselves, to not further burden our Black Brothers and Sisters.

Love today, resembles hope. 

Love today, lingers on my mouth stretching towards my cheeks. 

Love, today is a smile ... 

Oh, I do hope you stay awhile. 

Listen to Nikita recite her poem, Oh Crumbs!

Oh crumbs!

A spoken word poem on the colonisation of space, place and memory. Published in Are We Europes's 'Unsilencing Colonialise Issue', click here to read the piece. 

Tales of Migration...

By Nikita Yasmin Shah

Let this tale of migration unravel like this 6-metre sari... 

Revealing its fine embroidery, embellished sequins, patterns and prints. 

Rich threads that weave together hardships, goodbyes, and perseverance. 

And as this sari is wrapped around the tender waist of the migrant’s daughter, she will embody these tales of migration and stand before you as the product of migration. 

With the pallu draping over her shoulder and across her chest, she will showcase part of the heavy embroidery, a part of the migrant’s tale. 

Yet, the manner in which this elegant material drapes over her shoulder and across her chest will be irrelevant to the unfamiliar eye. 

Will the sari be draped Marathi? Gujarati? Bengali? Or another style? 

Gujarati is the answer. 

Today she will tell the tale of her Gujarati heritage. 

She will pleat the remaining material into 5 neat folds. A pleat to match each of these senses and sensory organs. Before finally folding them over and tucking them away at her waist. 

And so, she begins to pleat. 

Read the introduction to Tales of Migration.
Click here to watch and listen to the entire spoken word poetry performance