Inclusion every day. A reminder to make room for people of all identities, genders, abilities, and backgrounds.
Each year we celebrate World Inclusion Day on October 10th. But often, it ends at just that. Has inclusion been reduced to a buzzword? Honestly, it always was. It is high time we looked beyond the tokenism. Inculcate it as a practice. As a mindset. Not limit it to just a day for awareness sharing Instagram stories or updating display pics. Go beyond awareness and take action.
I have previously shared book recommendations on gender equality, LGBTQIA+ identity, and disability rights awareness. I am back with another set of book recommendations exploring two inclusivity themes w.r.t. India – LGBTQIA+ and disability. A collection of non-fiction titles that include anthologies, memoirs, poetry, interviews, and personal essays. A celebration of resilience in a world that polices bodies and labels minds. Books that compel you to unlearn and learn anew.
The World That Belongs To Us:
An Anthology of Queer Poetry from South Asia
Edited by Aditi Angiras & Akhil Katyal
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
They say This world isn’t for you
Why then was I born into it, if it wasn’t for me
– Phurbu Tashi, The World Isn’t for You
When Aditi Angiras and Akhil Katyal placed a call for queer poetry contributions for the The World That Belongs To Us anthology, it raised some pertinent questions. What constitutes queer poetry? It is a piece of poetry written by a queer individual? Can it include a piece in a related theme by a non-queer person? Where do asexuals and allies stand?
The result was a diverse anthology in the truest sense, featuring more than 100 poets from South Asia. From well-known voices to historical figures to first-time writers. Diverse in theme, ranging from desire and loneliness, intimacy to struggles, caste and language, activism and family. Equally diverse are the poetry styles, including haikus, prose, ghazals, sonnets, and free verse. The book also includes translated poetry across Indian languages.
If you enjoy poetry or want to explore diverse queer voices, do pick up the anthology.
On the Brink of Belief:
Queer Writing from South Asia
by Kazim Ali
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What does it mean to be queer, Muslim, South Asian, or from the peripheries?
On the Brink of Belief by Kazim Ali is a collection of prose, poetry, speculative fiction, and conversations where queerness meets faith. Reiterating that queerness and faith are not in conflict, but can co-exist. Divided across four sections, it explores the themes of love, loss, belonging, spirituality, and self-expression.
Emerging from The Queer Writers’ Room editions of 2023-2024 (a joint initiative by The Queer Muslim Project and The International Writing Program at the University of Iowa), it includes 24 voices from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
An essential, one-of-a-kind read.
Over the Rainbow: India’s Queer Heroes
by Aditya Tiwari
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Being gay is no longer a crime. Transgender individuals who had been ostracized earlier are now assimilated into almost all walks of life. Members of the Indian LGBTQ+ community have a lot more opportunities now. All this has been possible due to the queer heroes who paved the way through activism and public openness about their sexuality.
Over the Rainbow: India’s Queer Heroes by Aditya Tiwari pays homage to the journey and resilience of 19 such pioneers. Anjali Gopalan and Ashok Row Kavi who pioneered working with HIV/AIDS victims. Dalit and transgender activist Grace Banu who tirelessly campaigns for transgender persons. Restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, who fought against Section 377 through the press and in courts. And many more.
The book is a must-read.
The Invisible Majority: India’s Able Disabled
by C.K. Meena, V.R. Ferose
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People with disabilities are often rendered invisible. Either due to public apathy or inaccessible environments. Invisible disabilities and mental health issues are not even taken into consideration. While people with disabilities have refused to let their disabilities hold them back, society refuses to change its mindset. They are always expected to adapt to the world instead of the other way around.
The Invisible Majority: India’s Able Disabled is a comprehensive conversation about disability and inclusion in India. It examines where India ranks in relation to the seven pillars that support the foundation of an inclusive society – Advocacy, awareness, prevention/diagnosis, education, employment, lifestyle, and assisted living. It celebrates the empowered and empowering individuals with disabilities along with the caregivers.
The book is quite an eye-opener, and I highly recommend you pick it up.
The Grammar of My Body: A Memoir
by Abhishek Anicca
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We live in an ableist world where people with disabilities are reduced to symbols of inspiration. Often not in a good way (If they could do it, why can’t you?). Or tokenized come Disability Month or International Day of Inclusivity. Beyond that, there is often always a lack of apathy. Few efforts are made to preserve their dignity. To make public places more accessible. To establish a supportive environment at work.
The Grammar of My Body by Abhishek Anicca is raw, honest, and vulnerable. Beyond the “inspirational” narrative and false positivity, it is a stark and brutally honest look at what living with disability and chronic illness really is. A collection of deeply personal essays and poetry on body, disability, love, dating, and politics.
An uncomfortable yet powerful memoir that questions your own assumptions. Highly recommended.
This Kind of Child: The ‘Disability’ Story
by Srilata K.
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‘I am the mother of a child who did not fit the school system, a child who was disabled by it……. We were told by the principal of an alternative school that they could not possibly admit “this kind of child”. My daughter went from being a child to “this kind of child” in that one moment.’
What began as a collection of interweaved short stories about a girl who did not fit the school system transformed into a space for the voices of people who’s bodies and minds are not neurotypical. For their families, caregivers, and educators.
This Kind of Child: The ‘Disability’ Story by Srilata K. is a collection of personal essays, conversations, and short fiction. It questions why institutions fail and penalize individuals for inhabiting certain bodies and minds. It challenges systemic barriers that make life more difficult for people with disabilities. One of the few books that explore neurodiversity in India.
Books are often the best tool to educate ourselves. Such books are crucial for a more inclusive and diverse world. Do you have a similar recommendation? Do share in the comments below.
Transcending Tokenism: LGBTQIA+ and Disability Narratives from India and South Asia #BookishLeague Share on X
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.
This post is a part of ‘Currents of Kindness Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters
Photo credit: Canva.com
