Brown Don't Frown was borne out of a personal journey with womanhood. As a British Bangladeshi, navigating mainstream Feminism often felt exclusionary to me because it didn’t seem to value the experiences or views which shaped my grandmother’s, aunts’, mother’s or friends’ lives. Through this podcast, we seek to build a more inclusive discourse, which breaks down presumptions about different cultures, and shines a positive light on the stories of underrepresented women. Featuring new guest(s) from different walks of life in each episode, Brown Don’t Frown seeks to engage ordinary women and facilitate openness towards entirely new perspectives. It hopes to spark honest and meaningful conversations about intersectional feminist themes in contemporary society with the acknowledgement that our views are shaped by our cultural, racial, religious, social and political experiences. Whether it's discussing society's preconceptions about the Hijab with a British-born Jamaican Muslim woman or examining the impact of gendered expectations on our ability to grieve on our own terms, we hope listeners finish each episode feeling more rounded than they did before. Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browndontfrownpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bdfpodcast?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/browndontfrownpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/browndontfrownpodcast
Episodes
Sunday Jul 12, 2020
Sunday Jul 12, 2020
Shirin Shah and Sheetal Mistry of South Asian Sisters Speak join me to review Netflix’s ‘Never Have I ever’. What initially emerges as trivial teenage satire quickly becomes a bastion of embracing imperfection.
We talk about the raw portrayal of miscommunication, resentment and high expectations which so often define South Asian mother-daughter relationships. We explore the struggle between tradition, familial expectations and individuality through Kamala’s decision to choose an arranged marriage over her boyfriend. We also discuss the South Asian diaspora’s interrelationship with its various cultures and faiths, and consider the example of the divorcee who was shunned for marrying a Muslim. We discuss whether this type of “infighting” accurately represents the relationship between Hindus and Muslims today.
While representation is about personal experience, we felt there were several missed opportunities which could have challenged these anti-Muslim and arranged marriage stereotypes instead of vindicating them.
Finally, we talk about the side-effects of grief: anger and trauma. Through these themes, ‘Never Have I Ever’ shows us that protagonists can be flawed. They are human, after all.
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
Today, Busayo Twins and I discuss white denialism, colourism and the desensitisation of black trauma. Though minorities are grouped under ‘BAME’ for our ‘otherness’, it does not account for cultural, ethnic, religious and racial diversity. Does ‘BAME’ mask our lack of progression against anti-blackness? Busayo also explains why seeing Diversity & Inclusion policies as an ‘add on’ will not enable transformative change.
Black Lives Matter has empowered South Asian communities to challenge the stigma of dark skin. I ask Busayo whether she thinks it will also challenge the colourism faced within black communities and perceptions around skin-tone hierarchy for good.
There is a sense of numbness and desensitisation around black trauma. How can we collectively work together to change that? Does the narrative that only white people have the power to change things legitimise white superiority? Does it take away black people’s agency and undermine black excellence? We conclude that this way of thinking deflects from structural racism. While black people have leverage over their oppression with the power to change some things, black excellence and black struggle are not mutually exclusive. The change must be institutional.
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
In part II, Saint Santana, Abi and I pose various questions. How can we educate ourselves to be more tolerant, inclusive and respectful towards transgender and non-binary people? Are gender neutral toilets a distraction? Is the grouping of ‘‘LGBTQ” otherising? Can trans-exclusionary radical feminists be feminists? Are JK Rowling’s tweets transphobic? Should we normalise gender neutral pronouns?
We talk about the delicate balance between mindset, experience and, ultimately, human decency. Even though we might not always understand difference, we can certainly learn to respect it.
Sunday May 31, 2020
Sunday May 31, 2020
In this two part mini-series, I sit down with Saint Santana, who identifies as a trans man, and Abi, who identifies as a bisexual woman. I wanted to facilitate an open discussion around gender, sex, sexuality, and womanhood, firstly, to challenge our ingrained heteronormative societal constructs; and, secondly, because I wanted to address some of my own ignorances.
In part I, we explore the links between gender, sex and sexuality. We discuss self-expression, equity vs equality, double standards, gender norms, sexual freedom, transgender experiences, and bisexuality. Saint sets the scene with his very philosophical take: gender occurs in the brain, sex occurs in the genitals and orientation occurs in the heart...
Sunday May 17, 2020
Sunday May 17, 2020
Is discussing football at work sexist? Should wolf-whistling be illegal?
On today’s episode Lawyer Ellie and I explore ‘Political Correctness' and its interrelationship with Feminism. We posit Feminism as a means of exercising free choice, having opportunity, and - respecting others - a core tenet of political correctness. We talk about the historical significance of political correctness, how it shapes discourse today and whether the current interpretation of it is sustainable in the long-term.
We share our own experiences to help illustrate how at one end, political correctness can be used to manipulate conversation, exacerbate hypersensitivities and polarise views, while at the other end, it can help to build tolerance and inclusivity. Ultimately, we realise that it is about compromise, decency and common sense.
Sunday May 03, 2020
Season 2: Ep 14 - Identity Politics, Intersectionality and Freedom of Speech
Sunday May 03, 2020
Sunday May 03, 2020
Journalist and former Brexit Party parliamentary candidate Inaya Folarin Iman and I sit down over Zoom and ponder over the UK’s current political climate and public accountability during COVID-19. We start off discussing our fixation with identity politics and how to overcome it. I also ask Inaya why she believes in Brexit and whether her experience with the Brexit Party felt any different as a woman of colour.
We reflect on Conservatism and Feminism and ask whether they are mutually exclusive. We talk through the objectives of Intersectional Feminism and examine the tacit hierarchies of morality and ‘victimhood’. We then look at the significance of freedom of speech and its compatibility with truth and lasting peace. In doing so, we recognise that as individuals, we only hold part of the truth and that exchanging contrasting views enables original thinking beyond the political binaries of good vs evil, conservatives vs socialists or oppressor vs oppressed. In the midst of this pandemic, we see how dissent, scrutiny and even partisanship help us to hold our leaders accountable.
Sunday Apr 19, 2020
Season 2: Ep 13 - Do we need a Feminist Foreign Policy?
Sunday Apr 19, 2020
Sunday Apr 19, 2020
What is Foreign Policy? How can it be Feminist? Does it only work for one sex or can it work for everybody? How do the states and institutions which claim to be the proponents of feminist foreign policy ensure it is ethical and inclusive?
Climate Change Journalist Sharlene Gandhi and I examine how feminist foreign policy can be a tool to reshape our conventional thinking: from balancing production and climate change, to the delicacy of trade relations, to the significance of women’s participation in global peace talks, and everything in between. Using Canada and Sweden as examples, we look at the positives and negatives of feminist foreign policies. We also critique how capitalistic ideals have pushed for women’s economic independence without their participation or feedback, or regard for their cultural livelihoods, health and safety, or their children’s well-being.
We advocate an intersectional approach to foreign policy which has regard to the historical structural power relations as well as gender inequality, and one that continually adapts the narrative in line with the world’s rapidly-changing priorities.
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Season 2: Ep 11 - Coronavirus Special: A compilation of Whatsapp voice notes
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
The disruption caused by Coronavirus only signals what’s yet to come. In the hopes of reassuring you that you are not alone in the challenges you face, in this special episode, my friends and family from different backgrounds and countries share their Whatsapp voice notes. They talk about how they have been impacted and provide tips on staying sane, managing mental and physical health, looking out for others and maintaining productivity during self-isolation.
Hopefully, the COVID-19 pandemic will enable us to reflect and practise greater gratitude for our access to home comforts, food and technology. And who knows, perhaps it will be a catalyst for resetting the world as we know it altogether...
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
In the final episode of Season 1, I’m joined by Katie Taylor, Junior Editor of a publishing house focussing on books about mental health and well-being. Although the publishing industry is largely dominated by women, we look at how their prevalence dissipates at the senior and executive levels. We question tick-box BAME representation in publishing, rattle the cage on toxic masculinity, and explore writing as a safe space. I also grill Katie on the criteria for getting a book published.
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Season 1: Ep 9 - Self-acceptance: for what we're worth
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
We want to live life with purpose and good intentions, but social media, uncapped advertising and capitalism have left many of us feeling vulnerable when it comes to our self-acceptance, as we find ourselves on the hamster wheel of external approval to validate our own existence.
Join myself and Hanita, as we explore our jouneys through self-reflection, from being young teenage rebels to feeling comfortable in our own skin today.