“I harbor an escapism that borders on the concerning…” Reminds me of my latest reflections on how, growing up as a Muslim woman in my mom’s house, fantasizing about my crush was a form of escape (from my oppressively boring life at home with a curfew, surveillance, etc), and the way I would visualize better for my life—mainly because it was planted in my head that my husband will be the one to “let me” have an exciting life. Therefore it led to this “concerning” one-sided phenomenon that would develop toward Muslim guys who were even remotely prospects for marriage, which felt healthy because of “the desire to ‘have’ without ‘sinning’”. As I’m writing this I would be curious to hear about the experience of a crush from a man’s perspective. Gonna read Hanif’s piece!
Also crushing as anti capitalism is very relatable.
Thank you for this sweet comment Jenna! The perfect encouragement to return to this platform tbh. I hope you enjoy Hanif's piece! And omg yes, I've always wanted to write about the obsession you describe, in which Muslim men (and sometimes men at large) are automatically sorted in my brain as Marriage Prospects instead of people (lol) in a really interesting and loaded way. Will write more on a related topic soon, and until then much love...
I love what you’re positing here!!
“I harbor an escapism that borders on the concerning…” Reminds me of my latest reflections on how, growing up as a Muslim woman in my mom’s house, fantasizing about my crush was a form of escape (from my oppressively boring life at home with a curfew, surveillance, etc), and the way I would visualize better for my life—mainly because it was planted in my head that my husband will be the one to “let me” have an exciting life. Therefore it led to this “concerning” one-sided phenomenon that would develop toward Muslim guys who were even remotely prospects for marriage, which felt healthy because of “the desire to ‘have’ without ‘sinning’”. As I’m writing this I would be curious to hear about the experience of a crush from a man’s perspective. Gonna read Hanif’s piece!
Also crushing as anti capitalism is very relatable.
Thank you for this indulgent Sunday morning read!
Thank you for this sweet comment Jenna! The perfect encouragement to return to this platform tbh. I hope you enjoy Hanif's piece! And omg yes, I've always wanted to write about the obsession you describe, in which Muslim men (and sometimes men at large) are automatically sorted in my brain as Marriage Prospects instead of people (lol) in a really interesting and loaded way. Will write more on a related topic soon, and until then much love...