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Over the last few months I’ve been writing in this thing, I’ve accumulated a fair share of fan mail, a large portion of which are questions I wish I made up. Other questions and comments come from the many characters in my life. So I’ve dedicated a post to respond to inquiring minds. I’ll keep it to one post for now, but it’s inevitable that I’ll be forced to address another batch of questions in the future.

Q: Why does it say ‘Radical Muslim Feminist’ under your Facebook religious views?

Simply put, it’s because I’m a radical Muslim feminist.

Q: Why is the blog called ‘What She Said’?

Well, I can think of one incident during a class discussion that I happened to be heavily involved in, where a guy sitting nearby was asked to comment, only to look at me and say “what she said.” It also happens to be the title of a song by the Smiths, a band I used to listen to during my more or less goth days. I’m not entirely sure which of the two explains my choice of title, but I like the ring to it.

Q: You seem pretty random.

Why thank you.

Q: How much do you like twangers?

*brain explodes*

Q: Do u think its wrong/selling out wen black girls wear weave, perms, haircolour, etc???!

I don’t want to be judgmental, but I can’t help thinking that since I read the Autobiography of Malcolm X. He talks about his first ‘ conk’, a hairstyle that was popular among men in the 1930s and 40s, where the hair would be straightened and slicked back. And in reflection, he considers it self-degradation, to have to chemically change your hair, even going so far as to burn your scalp or cause some of your hair to fall out, just to have it look ‘pretty’ by our Eurocentric standards. He calls the hair the ‘emblem of shame’ of being black.

So while I agree completely with Malcolm X on that point, I think there are a variety of reasons why black women do it, and it’s not necessarily to look ‘good’ by our society’s standards. I don’t have a problem with someone who may have hair that’s difficult to manage wanting to straighten it, but unfortunately I don’t think that’s the case for most.

Q: Do u think ppl r more rascist in canada or america???

I couldn’t say, since the situations are so different. But I do think as Canadians we like to paint ourselves with a rosy brush and pretend that we don’t have the same problems with institutional racism, or that our history of race relations is somehow superior to that of the United States, both of which I don’t believe are true.

Just look at the miserable state and treatment of the Natives in this country, the interned Japanese whose land was “confiscated” by the government, the slave trade in Canada… and yes, there was slavery here too. There’s a book that came out not too long ago about slavery in Canada by Afua Cooper called ‘The Hanging of Angelique’, telling the story of a slave who was accused of burning down Montreal, who was later tortured and publicly executed. And of course we have the recent “reasonable accommodation” debate raging on in Quebec which only serves to further alienate racialized and migrant people, in particular Muslim women.

Q: Ok… do u think older generation is more rascist than younger? … and y?

I wouldn’t say more racist, but definitely more outspoken. And a lot of time older people tend to be ’stuck’ with words and language that would be considered out of date and inappropriate today, even offensive to others. Since I plan on being a hateful old woman myself, I try to give them a break.

Q: Why don’t you ever put pictures of yourself up?

I’ve never really thought about that. I wouldn’t rule it out in the future though.

Q: Do you believe in divorce?

Whatever is best for the couple and their family. I’d prefer divorce to a dysfunctional household, which I’m sure makes things worse for any children involved, not that I’m a psychologist or anything like that.

Q: Would you say you’re an interesting person?

For someone who eats oatmeal for breakfast, absolutely.

Q: Why do you feel religion is an important aspect of a person’s life? (Oooh now I’m getting deep)

It’s more a matter of recognizing your Creator, and my belief that it’s our responsibility as the creation to completely obey and submit ourselves to Him. I don’t see it as just an aspect of a person’s life, I believe it’s the entire basis of our existence.

Q: Do u think ur religion is like… the “true” religion?

Of course. I’m sure anyone who has a good understanding of Islam and its principles would agree with that.

Q: Do you know that guy? The one with the hair?

Don’t we all?

Q: What candidate are you going for in the US election?

I don’t like any of them, so I couldn’t care less who wins. It’s gotten to a point where all the candidates look so much alike, and the party lines are so blurred, the only real differences between the candidates are the most insignificant little details. It’s ridiculous. I’d consider voting for Ralph Nader, if Canadians could vote. Even with that minor barrier, I’m probably eligible to vote in Florida.

Q: What do you think of the following: toe socks, feminism, corporate America and wasting water on gardening.

Love toe socks. I consider myself a feminist in the sense that I believe in equal rights and giving women the right to choose any path in life they wish, whether it be a stay at home mom or a lawyer that works 100 hour weeks. I don’t agree for the most part with the notion that certain life decisions “set women back” a few steps. As far as corporate America goes, I believe that American multinational corporations are one of the major reasons for the continuing poverty in third world countries and the current state of our environment. And if gardening is supposed to be a ‘waste’ of water, I wonder what a good use of water would be. Too much water would be a waste, I suppose… and they always warn us not to water our lawns during the heat of the day.

Q: Do you believe there is such a thing as ‘ugly’ people?

No. I think beauty is overrated.

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