"We" is a collectivity that I cannot speak for... but as a woman of South Asian origin, born into a strongly patriarchal family that identified as 'Muslim', and growing up as I did, subjected to marginalisation and silencing both at home and in the wider, U.K society, where my perspective and experiences were hardly ever visible ... I am writing on Medium in order to honour the fact that I have more resources of time and space than many others of my demographic. I have also studied deeply across many years and many disciplines and I wish to share my hard-won insights, especially with the younger generation, such as yourself.

Also the effort to articulate something, and reading responses and responding to them, helps me to clarify and develop my own thought and perspective.

I have little patience for small talk and it’s surprising how much time can be wasted in face to face interaction with superficialities. The beauty of online communication is people can be more honest as there is less fear of any comeback.

I have volunteered with an organisation that mentors aspiring writers/journalists who are Palestinian and I do that for the same reason - to support their efforts at having a voice when the vast resources of the Israeli-USA-European bloc, support the zionist voices.