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Setting Free

 As a desi woman I can't wait for Harris to make a power statement with the sari as this article suggests:

Imagine what else she could bring to her look when the election is behind her. When she stops worrying about winning over voters, she could turn her attention to helping Americans rethink what power looks like. Perhaps she could pay homage to the cultures of her parents. Imagine if Harris showed up one day in a suit made of sari fabric, or a scarf made of Caribbean textiles? This would be more than just a form of self-expression. It would be a testament to America’s boundless opportunity that a child of immigrants could ascend into the highest office of the land.

It would make it possible for me and my sisters to show up in the Western world in the colors, fabrics and patterns that we love and identify with. I can spend hours browsing beautiful garments from India - they define perfection to my eyes and I know for a fact that I look my best dressed like an Indian woman. That is me being in my own skin, fitting into what was made and designed for me. I have never had the chance to present myself in the way that I feel the best about in America. In western attire something always feels a bit off.

Lately I see younger desi women in my workplace try to be bold with an embroidered phulkari kurti or a Fabindia dress from time to time. I am very proud of them for trying and root for them to go even further - wear a sari to work that was hand-woven by artisans from their home state in India. I wish I had the courage to wear a tant sari to work on a summer day - be myself.

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