The missing slate

The missing slate

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Maryam Piracha, the young and energetic editor of the online, “themissingslate.com” is emerging as one of the most creative people in the print media. She, along with her editorial team, was behind arranging a workshop to train young women on how to write creatively. Top 5 women were selected to read their stories among a select group of literature lovers.

The narrators were brilliant. They highlighted various issues; including the honor killing, slavery, empowerment of women, promotion of education and refugee issues.

The missing slate has given voice to hundreds of people, regardless of sexual orientation, religious or political sensibilities, geographical leanings or background; for Maryam Piranha genuinely believes that we should be “united in our differences.”

Paracha’s motto is to bring “this devastatingly mistrusts and sexist culture into the drawing rooms of society.” She and her editing team deal with complex social issues that are viewed as taboos. These issues have to be discussed in a cautious, balanced, moderate and rational way; for emotionalism and enthusiasm often put you in great trouble.

The old local norms and rather extremely slow social change hinder the aspired transformation. Wisdom demands brevity and even linguistic ambiguity.

According to sociologists, social change is a very slow process that consumes hundreds of years. Therefore, one should not be over-optimistic or “pushy.” A slow and gradual approach to social change is always advisable.

Ending this write-up on a positive note, I would quote the renowned Sufi poet Rumi. He majestically advised, “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”