I really struggle with authenticity -- it's just, there's so much guilt and regret there. And I don't think I have the strength yet to be able to proclaim my identity in defiance of everyone who wishes to dispute the fact. So I am grateful for this post; I take a lot of courage from it. This especially --
What I don't understand is their inability to recognize that Hinduism doesn't always have to exist in the exact way you've seen/known it to, and that even though I squirt coloured water for Phagwa instead of throwing coloured powder for Holi, even though I call the dumplings in karhi "boulders" instead of whatever they're originally called, even though I wear an orhni and not a dupatta, I am still a Hindu. Even though my Hinduism includes elements of Catholicism and obeah. Even though I only speak English. Even though I don't look "right".
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What I don't understand is their inability to recognize that Hinduism doesn't always have to exist in the exact way you've seen/known it to, and that even though I squirt coloured water for Phagwa instead of throwing coloured powder for Holi, even though I call the dumplings in karhi "boulders" instead of whatever they're originally called, even though I wear an orhni and not a dupatta, I am still a Hindu. Even though my Hinduism includes elements of Catholicism and obeah. Even though I only speak English. Even though I don't look "right".
Yes. This.