White people shouldn’t align themselves with Hinduism for commercial gain: Canadian-Indian author Scaachi Kaul talks tough - Hindustan Times
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White people shouldn’t align themselves with Hinduism for commercial gain: Canadian-Indian author Scaachi Kaul talks tough

Hindustan Times | By
Aug 05, 2017 11:25 PM IST

Koul’s debut collection of essays is hilarious, yet sharp, with observations on navigating life as an immigrant and a woman of colour

Early last year, Scaachi Koul put out a thread on Twitter, asking for pitches on Canada-centric reporting and essays for the media company she works at. She added that they would prefer hearing from people who were not white and not male, a statement that spiralled out of control. Koul was sent threatening tweets, subjected to vitriol and driven to deactivate her account. However, she was back two weeks later and announced her arrival rather humorously, posting a string of GIFs of The Undertaker, the renowned wrestler. These included him popping out of a casket; running towards a large white man; and hanging his arms over the ropes, his face bloodied, declaring: This is my yard. 

Koul’s debut anthology comprises stories of her many experiences growing up as a first-generation Indian in Canada
Koul’s debut anthology comprises stories of her many experiences growing up as a first-generation Indian in Canada
One Day...has been picked up for adaptation into a comedy TV series
One Day...has been picked up for adaptation into a comedy TV series
Born in a predominantly Caucasian neighbourhood , Koul was frequently picked on in school, with boys getting her a deodorant to mask her ‘natural curry scent’. She was even called Osama Bin Laden’s cousin.
“I don’t mind it when white people do yoga. What bothers me is when they align themselves with Hinduism ... giving themselves Hindu names or start adopting Hindi ...”
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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Shikha Kumar is a features writer, whose primary interests include books, feminism, gender studies, and pop culture. She’s always up for discussions on Urban Dictionary, Lena Dunham’s brand of feminism and the potato wedges-french fries conflict.

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