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Sunday, August 23, 2015

Humans of New York in Pakistan (Part 3)

"The most important thing about swimming is to not be afraid."
"What advice do you have for people who are afraid?"
"Just don't be afraid. Or you'll drown."

(Hunza Valley, Pakistan)

Humans of New York in Pakistan
"It’s a difficult time to be a socialist. The left has been depleted everywhere else, but in Pakistan it’s been decimated. I belong to an organization called the Awami Worker’s Party, and right now is a crucial moment for us. We are trying to resist slum evictions in Islamabad. There is no affordable housing in the city, so servants and laborers huddle together in informal settlements called kachi abadis, which have no water or electricity. Recently, the Islamabad high court has issued an eviction notice, and the land is being sold out beneath them. They are defending their actions by saying that terrorists hide in the slums. Right now an operation is underway to remove the slum inhabitants by force."

(Hunza Valley, Pakistan)

Humans of New York in Pakistan
“One beautiful thing about advocating for the poor is that feminist ideals are advanced naturally. In order to fight eviction from their homes, women who patriarchy has kept secluded have been allowed to emerge into public life. Their husbands have been forced to choose their homes over their idea of honor. Even within my organization, the patriarchy is being broken down. Energetic young females are beginning to share influence with older male members. When you’re in a tough fight for a common cause, you can’t afford to be choosy about where the best ideas are coming from.”

(Hunza Valley, Pakistan)

Humans of New York in Pakistan
"What's your goat's name?"
"Goat."

(Hunza Valley, Pakistan)

Humans of New York in Pakistan
"When I was working on my doctorate, I discovered on the last day that my thesis was ten pages short, and he left his own office to run whatever errands I needed. He didn't even have a car. He took a rickshaw. I had a dream when I was deciding whether or not to marry him. I was falling through the air, but I didn't feel any fear, because I knew that he would catch me."

(Hunza Valley, Pakistan)

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