Articles by: Daag Ujjala

We Are All Responsible For Gauri Lankesh’s Murder: 6 Categories Of Response To Violence

We Are All Responsible For Gauri Lankesh’s Murder: 6 Categories Of Response To Violence

  When rationalists are murdered by obscurantists, secularists by religious zealots, and humanists by fascists, people typically react in one of four ways: 1. Mentally register the murder and then move on as though nothing has really changed; 2. Empathize with the victim’s family by mouthing some pieties and then move on as though nothing really changed in their lives;[Read More…]

by 09/09/2017 2 comments Editor's Picks, India
We Must Fight

We Must Fight

We must fight the encroaching fascism. We must fight it hard and fight it now. This time, fascism is global in its implications and nuclear in its capabilities. Today we are all Yemenis, Libyans, Iraqis, Iranians, Somalis, Sudanese, and Syrians. Today we are all connected humans who will not see the bullies win. Today we are all empaths. Today we[Read More…]

by 02/02/2017 1 comment World
The Transpositions In Trump-Land Are Irrevocable If We Let Them Complete Themselves

The Transpositions In Trump-Land Are Irrevocable If We Let Them Complete Themselves

Politics and power create curious albeit predictable transpositions. Misogynist and Paleolithic conservatives transpose themselves into self-described beacons of hope for women as they simultaneously deride Islam for its differential treatment of women and launch an attack on women’s freedom and rights in the United States.  As they deride Democrats for pandering to Wall Street, they promote the richest cabinet in[Read More…]

by 15/01/2017 1 comment World
Historical Knowledge Creates Empathy And Ignorance Fuels Easy Hate- Let’s Discuss!

Historical Knowledge Creates Empathy And Ignorance Fuels Easy Hate- Let’s Discuss!

  Years ago, a professor told me of a situation at her university in which a colleague of hers broke down while describing the massacre at Nanking to her students. The professor remarked not about the break-down but about the complete lack of empathy her colleague’s students had shown to their teacher. Worse, still, many students laughed, poking fun at[Read More…]

by 02/12/2016 1 comment Life/Philosophy
Trumpism Is Here: Okay My Friends, Now What?

Trumpism Is Here: Okay My Friends, Now What?

For many people- even for some of those who voted for him- the election victory of Donald Trump and the ensuing clustering of a motley crew of hawks, white supremacists, economic hitmen, and science-deniers came as a shocking knock on the reality door. The Presidential (system), stable since the country’s founding, was pushed over and a bombastic businessman with no[Read More…]

by 02/12/2016 Comments are Disabled World
The Closing Window: Pry it Open to Breathe

The Closing Window: Pry it Open to Breathe

Rational, fair-minded, and progressive people are caught in a vise; more so after the US elections. People used to activism are out on the streets, raising money, writing letters, and speaking openly. Those who are upset and worried but unused to both civic engagement and activism are either in hand-wringing mode or are back to business as usual. This is[Read More…]

by 21/11/2016 1 comment World
Why Democracy Lovers Can’t Wait

Why Democracy Lovers Can’t Wait

Since Donald Trump’s victory in the most bizarre US presidential election in memory, pundits, Rightists, “democrats” and even Barack Obama himself have called upon people to support ideas and results that go against their own feelings, ethics, and desires.  This, apparently, is what “Democracy” is all about.   Ironically, it is the Right now that is lecturing us the need to[Read More…]

by 19/11/2016 1 comment World