Right, this is a highly delayed response to something writer Kavita Bhanot has written about my memoir #TheBoyWithTheTopknot. Was gonna ignore but it was repeated recently in this Guardian review of #EmpireLand, and I find it deeply offensive.
theguardian.com/books/2021/feb…
theguardian.com/books/2021/feb…
"White supremacist"?! I cut my hair, for a bunch of complicated reasons, most of which had nothing to do with race or assimilation. I was one of few kids with topknot in my school, sure, but also I was the only one in my family with a topknot...
... also, I was learning lots about religion and felt I didn't need outward symbol of religion to demonstrate my faith. Also, I was just a shy kid who struggled with looking so different. To reduce this all to me succumbing to "white supremacy" is offensive and, frankly, thick
Staggered that you could read #TheBoyWithTheTopknot, and all the complexity it contains, and come to this conclusion.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
