Activism and Tradition

For this blog entry, I wanted to focus on the interplay between activism and tradition. In a western society, activism can oftentimes be seen as the defiance of tradition. There is a sense that the traditions, which have been reinforced for years, are systematically problematic and are in need of change, hence the need for activism. Throughout our readings, there has been an activist theme. From the Green Belt Movement to our in-class speakers, to watching the movie Wadjda, activism is a constant throughout. These different examples show activism but in different ways. For this blog, I want to focus on how activism and tradition can be intertwined, how a Ted Talk called Radical women, embracing tradition, by Kavita Ramdas, explains this and how we can recognize this in the movie Wadjda. 

This Ted Talk is extremely inspiring and discusses different women that Ramdas has met throughout her life who embrace tradition and incorporate it into her activism. She uses the example that Western societies oftentimes view the hijab as restricting women’s rights, when in fact, a devout Muslim friend of hers is extremely passionate about women’s rights and gender equality. Her friend uses her faith to propel herself into her activism. She explains that her friend does not believe that she has to give up her tradition in order to move society forward; that activism and tradition can go hand in hand. 

Throughout the Ted Talk, she recognizes her other friends in Croatia as well as Africa, noting that they all hold tightly onto their traditions while starting NGOs that are creating safer spaces for women that encourage learning and equality. These single stories, Ramdas believes, is what makes change in the world. That when you take a step back and look at the women making a change, that they don’t have to be challenging traditions that are important to them; they can embrace tradition and progression. 

This theme can be seen throughout the movie Wadjda. Throughout the film, you can see certain traditions that are still very important for women in their society. Some of these traditions do seem to be quite restricting, however, others are a part of these women’s identity, which can be used as a catalyst for change. For example, Wadjda does not challenge the tradition of coverings when out in the world, however, she can wear it while she rides her bike. It is not that she is completely denying the traditions that have shaped show she is but decides to alter the aspects of her life that she deems unequal.

Westerners have developed a mindset that emphasizes the need to defeat tradition in order to make real change. This is a general statement, and I want to emphasize is not true for all western feminists, or western activists, by any means. However, Ramdas challenges, what she dubs as a western way of viewing activism and encourages thinking about integrating aspects of tradition and community into struggles that we want to change. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/kavita_ramdas_radical_women_embracing_tradition#t-67672