We are Women of Color in ELT, standing together.
We are on a journey to create safe and courageous spaces where Women of Color who are often pushed to the sidelines can get support and encouragement from one another.
The Journey Begins
To the Taliban
The views expressed in blogposts are the author(s)’s own and do not necessarily reflect WOC in ELT’s stance.
If the Middle East had an entrance, there should be engraved upon it this sentence from Dante’s Inferno Canto III “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here”. Everywhere you look at, you see violence and war, you see honour killing, sex segregation, women immobilisation, child marriage, social injustice against women; and since the re-rise of Taliban all that matters for humanity has vanished in a blink of an eye! And the worst part? The international community has remained silent! Because apparently “Lithium” is far more valuable than people’s lives. I’ve seen horrendous scenes here and there from people who are running away, who are protesting for their rights and got shot as if they have never been in this world.
I’ve seen my courageous Afghan sisters who were shouting in the streets near the UN office “Down with Taliban”, “Until blood is in our veins (until we are alive), Massoud is our leader” and I cried with both sadness and joy; with joy because I was seeing courage beyond expectation and sadness because no woman is safe in the Middle East.
And with a heart laden with sorrow, I compose these lines and I dedicate this poem to all the Afghan and the Iranian women.
To the Taliban
My face, forbidden
A clock without hands since you don’t like me age
My body, a vessel
Or more like a public lavatory for you when it comes to Jihad
Even if I’m dead, you’re still allowed to take delight in it.
My voice, needless
For you don’t like to feel your house of cards trembling.
My mind, there lies the problem
You can’t stand me as a Huwo* ;
Yet I WAS, I AM, I AM, I AM, and I will BE…09/10/2021
Behnaz Amani
*Human – woman. Since both of these terms have ‘man’ as their essential components, I thought omitting that and converging the two remaining parts would give us a sense of emphasis on femininity.
Behnaz Amani
A Ph.D. holder in English literature, who had studied interior architecture and design as well. A fine art photography model, poet, and writer who believes in kindness and understanding. Tries her best to be supportive of those in need and hates lies and infidelity.
We, Women of Color in ELT, have powerful stories to share. Our stories can help us heal and empower ourselves and our collectives.
Check here to share your story if you choose to do so.
Recordings of AIELOC & WOC in ELT Conference (2021)
You can find the recordings of AIELOC & WOC in ELT Conference (2021) at the following links:
Main link: http://aieloc.org/conference/
Pre-recorded sessions: http://aieloc.org/pre-recorded-sessions/
Day One Sessions: http://aieloc.org/day-one-sessions/
Day Two Sessions: http://aieloc.org/day-two-sessions/
Please contact us via our contact page or our social media to get the password.
Recordings of AIELOC & WOC in ELT Conference (2020)
You can find the recordings of AIELOC & WOC in ELT Conference (2020) at the following links:
Main link: http://aieloc.org/conference/
Pre-recorded sessions: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1MTfh38KEzAb3qkkDtOeHDIjEBFcil3cl
Day 1 recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o-UfMaR45t2rnxr6Q-3DLuTtnzjVJsjR/view
Day 2 recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R_twjE10gezDHmIf7pSbrzfWB_soPoSF/view
Our Mere Existence is Enough!
I Hope Not!
“So, my answer to the question Can an African ever learn English well enough to be able to use it effectively in creative writing? is certainly yes. If on the other hand you ask: Can he ever learn to use it like a native speaker? I should say, I hope not. It is neither necessary nor desirable for him to be able to do so… The African writer should aim to use English in a way that brings out his message best without altering the language to the extent that its value as a medium of international exchange will be lost. He should aim at fashioning an English which is at once universal & able to carry his peculiar experience… I feel that the English language will be able to carry the weight of my African experience. But it will have to be a new English, still in full communion with its ancestral home, but altered to suit its new African surroundings.”
Chinua Achebe (“English and the African Writer”, 1965)
h/t Dr. Amir Ali Nojoumian, Iranian scholar of English Literature & Critical Theory
Ignorance is privilege!
WHITE SKIN ≠ A GOOD ENGLISH TEACHER
You Matter <3 You Belong <3
YOU ARE ENOUGH <3
AIELOC & WOC in ELT Free Online Conference
The AIELOC and Women of Color in ELT Conference aims to provide high quality professional development for international educators and leaders focused on representation, social justice, and equity studies.
14 -15 November 2020
Free Online Conference
The Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) is devoted to amplifying the work of international educators and leaders of color with a focus on advocacy, learning, and research.
Women of Color in ELT (WOC in ELT) is a safe, courageous, and supportive space for English language teachers who identify as Women of Color.
Please check this link for more information: http://aieloc.org/conference/
If you would like to present at the conference, please send an email to: aieloc2019@gmail.com
Women of Color in ELT 