9 Thursday, May 31, 2018 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com MICHIGAN IN COLOR Upperclass South Asian activism Representation in the media is fought for strongly by many Asians in America, especially Asians who are among those in the upper economic class of the country. From one perspective, it makes perfect sense why any underrepresented group would care so much about their role in media. Media has the largest impact on the way we think, whether we like this fact or not. We are constantly con- suming, no matter what. When we take that small Instagram break while we’re studying, we’re being inundated with other people’s represen- tations of themselves, and what people find the best. Similar pat- terns can also be seen with even Facebook and Twitter. So, of course, Asians care about how they’re represented in media. They’re not sex dolls, not fragile, not per- fectly smart, not unsexy and do not smell bad. They’re not a monolith or a model minority and believe, rightfully so, that they have every right to be represent- ed the same way white Americans are in West- ern media. This is a disclaimer. Of course, it is under- standable and per- fectly normal that Asian-Americans would like to see bet- ter representation for themselves. Especially as they are born and raised as Americans, and because this is their country just as much as anyone else’s. But why is this such a high priority in activism circles when it comes to Asians while there are still Asians who suffer from economic disem- powerment, while there are still queer Asians? Yes, Indians are Asians and have an incredibly high median income level — $100,000 (according to the Pew Research Center). But this isn’t indicative of the state of all Asians. Bangladeshis have a median income of about $49,800, and Cambodi- ans, Laotians, as well as Hmong people all have median incomes in similar ranges. These are two vastly different circumstances, and the circumstances reflect the different issues dif- ferent groups have. It is clearly seen that there is a level of police violence associated with the lat- ter groups that groups like Indians do not have to endure. Bangladeshis, Cambodians, Laotians and other Asian groups in similar class situa- tions as Indians are not seen as anything close to the “model minority” by other Americans at all. They are demonized in America, seen as infe- rior. So yes, while I am sorry it was brutally painful for Indians in their mid-to-late 20s who came from econom- ic prosperity to grow up with Apu from the Simp- sons being their biggest oppressor, this is not the case for many other Asians. Every time the same old and tired model minority story is brought back to the forefront in Asian activ- ism, an erasure of other communities within the larger Asian race occurs and thus, minimizes their struggles. It is crucial that Asians with class privilege interested in activism or social justice under- stand the implications their class privilege has, as well as strive to bet- ter not only their status in America but also the status of others — espe- cially those who may not have the same economic power as them. Why does the TV show “The Bold Type” mean everything to me? Because for once, a Mus- lim woman is portrayed as a fierce, sexual, artis- tic being. Representation matters. What do I have in common with “The Bold Type”? I, too, am a proud, Mus- lim woman who refuses to be oppressed by the sys- tem. In “The Bold Type,” Adena is a “proud, Muslim lesbian” and an artist. She breaks every stereotype associated with Islam. She is open about her sexuality, dresses the way she wants and falls in love with a Black woman. Adena also wears a hijab. When asked why, she says choosing to wear it makes her feel liberated. That’s what I want. I don’t wear a hijab or cover my hair. I want to, but on my own terms. Some people think the hijab and other modest Islamic clothing are oppressive. In some nations, there are laws that make that true, but in reality, the hijab sym- bolizes different things for every woman who wears it. For me, it sym- bolizes the strength and beauty of a woman. For me, it acknowledges that women are so beauti- ful — so beautiful in fact, that not just any ordinary eyes are worthy of gazing. For me, it is a statement of feminism, fashion, and freedom. When I decide to start covering my hair, I want to do it because I feel empowered. Not because anyone told me I should or must. Not because it’s the proper thing for a Muslim woman to do. But because I love Allah and want to feel closer to Him. When Adena is asked about why she’s lesbian, her answer has nothing to do with sexual desires. She says that she likes what’s in a woman’s heart. At first, I thought this was widely applicable. That everyone should fall for what’s in some- one’s heart. But now I see there’s much more to that. There’s something par- ticularly amazing about women. We are expected to be and have been the backbone of society for most, if not all of time. It’s hard to be a strong woman. Even harder to be a strong Black woman. Nearly impossible to be a strong Black, Muslim woman. We have to deal with it all. Racism. Islamophobia. Sexism. It’s a never-end- ing battle between what we want to be and what society thinks we are or should be. That’s why “The Bold Type” means everything to me. Adena is a free spir- it. She doesn’t care what anyone wants her to be or do. She follows her heart. The best part is that she acknowledges how imper- fect she is. She admits to praying only sometimes, claiming that some days it feels more important than others and sometimes she’s just lazy. I relate to Adena so much. She is an honest, imperfect portrayal of a Muslim woman. I too am not perfect, but Adena makes me proud to be exactly who I am. Here’s to real represen- tation. Ramada Mubarak. By HALIMAT OLANIYAN MiC EDITOR By SWATHI KOMARIVELLI MiC Contributor PHOTO COURTESY OF AUTHOR Here’s to the real representation By LARRY DAVIS MiC EDITOR I Am I Am … What I Am … and can become, who I aspire to Be I am from an abandoned industrial city, where the smog clogs the lungs of those who cannot yet speak. Yet, the city is alive and well, or at least that’s how it appears to be … I am, what I am… made in the image of the original being … I am a Black American, with West African and colonial roots. … Two worlds combined but suppressed to hide the true beauty and pain of one’s nature and roots … I am from a community in which society labels me as a thug … but yet, in reality, my truth speaks volumes of my purpose, while my character speaks volumes of the communities in which I serve. I am from a city that is similar to the abandoned, left-behind city of Detroit … yet my spirit lives on, just as the spirits of the residents of Detroit do. I am the Change, that I aspire to see …