Reader's Thoughts 
 

Readers’ Thoughts

Cynthia Ritchie Clarifies

October 2020

As a regular reader and contributor to SouthAsia magazine I have often appreciated the various opinions and well-researched articles - including those diametrically opposed to my own opinions and research.

However, one particular article’s factual errors need to be clarified. The unidentified writer’s approach in ‘The Loud American’ is contorted. The writer almost seems as if he is trying to make a case for my deportation, and cloud my character, as some in PPP seem so keen to do.

The writer wrongly stated I ‘approached [former Interior Minister] Chauhdry Nisar.’ In actuality I’ve never met Nisar Sb. I’d heard about his famous hair, but that’s the limit of my knowledge.

More importantly, the unnamed writer claims (as have many) that I insulted former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. To be clear: I never insulted BB. Pakistanis (South Asians) are a highly emotional people, and were very quick to react to an intentionally misinterpreted tweet. Pakistan, I love you, I do. But your own emotions are often used against you by those who would do you harm; this includes those who love to throw up a smokescreen to distract from ground realities. Zardari and his sidekick, an ex-minister, are very well known for this. So in this instance, try to set your emotions aside, and ask yourselves: Who would benefit most from this smokescreen?

My (now unfortunatley infamous) tweet stated: “this echoes stories [that I’d been told] that BB ordered her guards to rape the women” she caught cheating with her husband (Asif Zardari). I’d even issued a clarifying tweet the following day. Both are still on my twitter timeline, and I stand by my statements. I’d admired BB as Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister - and I often referred to her as an example when I spoke in defence of Pakistan while in USA and other western countries - especially those countries who lacked a female Prime Minister / Head of State.

To the PPP jayalas who loved BB, please ask yourself: Why would I intentionally subject myself to literally thousands of harassing and threatening tweets, emails, phone messages, etc? Perhaps some consider that a fair price to pay to increase online ‘follower’ count, but follower count has never concerned me. More importantly, would BB’s PPP workers send me RAPE threats, illegally access and leak my banking information? Falsely accuse me of money laundering? If BB were alive today and had heard my story, what actions do you think she would take? I believe BB would have made this case a priority, heard me out personally, and helped form an impartial investigation right away. When I see images of Bilawal, I only see BB. And I suppose some naive part of me, hoped Bilawal would do as I imagined his mother, BB, would have done if she were alive today. I’d hoped that the good parts of Bilawal’s mother’s legacy would have influenced him to do the right thing.

To further elaborate, my tweet was in reference to stories I’d been told directly by one particular ex-minister and other senior leaders of PPP. These individuals (ALL men, I might add) seemingly sided more with Zardari in terms of current day politics; their effect, their moods and expressions, while telling these stories stupefied me. Imagine having newly moved to Pakistan from America and hearing your hosts, those responsible for your safety and security, telling you sordid stories about a leader whom you’d only heard positive things about; and these men recalled these incidents with what I could only describe as a hint of overly-sexualized rapt fascination. I was frightened, yes, but my developing kinship with the people helped me through my darkest days. I knew, instinctively, the adversities I was going through would help me become more empathic towards others. A vision of hell and what would become a kind of firewalk - or rite of passage - tethered me to a larger purpose.

My primary point was, and remains, for women (vulnerable populations) to stand together against this overly sexualized, rape culture that I have witnessed more amongst the seemingly liberal elite of society. These experiences are largely the same as I have experienced in Amsterdam, Bangkok, Dubai, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., to name a few.

Not once have I been mistreated or disrespected in the tribal areas or any of the remote regions. While some call it archaic, Pashtunwali has exhibited more similarities to the Ten Commandments and helped keep genuine peace in the region - of which I have great respect. And as a few rightly pointed out, perhaps if my claims had been made in the Grand Jirga System, justice would have come on swifter, righteous wings. The tribal elders have a keen sense for genuine grievances versus cowards who do evil to others.

It should go without saying, the privilege that comes with being a guest and a ‘white’ guest at that. And generally only the more so-called ‘liberal’ will resort to colorism as a sort of quasi-offence/defence. For me, a guest is a guest. A human is a human. I have some privilege, yes. So what? I have a voice now that I did not have ten years ago, and - years ago, as now - many tried to suppress my voice. Now, irrespective of whatever ‘justice’ I receive, I intend to leverage my experiences for others with less privilege and no platform - on the ground. Not just online.

But I digress.
Whomever this writer is, and the political neanderthals he represents, karma is coming. And for some, mastaba awaits. Sooner rather than later.

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