Hi Larry.

I apologise for the harshness of my tone in my post about your song. I'm really glad that your song is making such a positive difference in the lives of some Hindu women. I hope it continues to make a positive difference in the world.

This thread contains a hell of a lot of hurt in it, but I also think it contains the seeds of some healing. Your song, when heard in the context of being a member of the Hindu community, carries one message, as you've said; that of speaking up for Hindu women without directly taking on the oppressive elements of Hindu culture.

Unfortunately, for someone who reads or hears it outside of that context, it can give a very different impression. In the context of this thread, it can look like it condemns Muslim fundamentalism, and the harm it does to women, but condones Hindu fundamentalism and the harm it does to women. I suspect that there will be other contexts besides this thread where the song will be perceived in that way.

And the reason I found the song traumatic when perceived in that way is because of what I see happening to the issue of women's rights. I see people who are using the issue of women's rights as a way to promote other agendas that have nothing to do with women's rights. It's actually quite painful to see people using the issue of women's rights in that way.

If you haven't already, I would ask you to read all of the articles and links that I have posted, and then read this thread again. As you read the links, try to put yourself in the shoes of a woman who is reading them, or think about it as if your female loved ones were among the women who find themselves in the situations described in the articles. And then, think about how you might feel if you saw people condemning only certain contexts in which women are being abused (or at least appearing to do so).

I know that you care a lot about people, and I would like to ask you to view my post about your song in light of the traumatic effect that reading the articles in the links I posted had on me. And consider, also, the possibility that other women who encounter your song might experience it in the same way I did if they are feeling traumatized for reasons other than the ones the Hindu women you spoke of would have.

I would love to see a song from you about women who are victims of the sex slave trade. Maybe you can make a big difference for these women if you help to bring the problem to the attention of a lot of people.

Take care,

Carol