In honor of International Mother Language Day. On this day not too long ago, student protestors were killed by Pakistani military for the right to speak, officialize, and recognise Bangla. This offset the Bengali genocide, which would eventually lead to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. I think it's especially important to note the sacrifice of these activists, especially now during a time where we see the power and beauty of protesting and resistance. I am so proud to speak this beautiful language and have nothing but love for my Bengali heritage. It breaks my heart to see so many Bengalis ashamed of who they are, a feeling that is deeply rooted in the cultural fact that other south Asian "superpowers" have always made us feel inferior and eradicated our culture and history from the mainstream. I am so proud to be from a family that actively fought for our right to speak Bangla and proclaim ourselves as Bangladeshi, a nation so filled with love for its language that it named the whole country after it. My people are such a beautiful, loving, happy, and friendly bunch. While I may have been born and raised in America, I am also unapologetically Bengali, today and every day. #JoyBangla #dontaskmewhyIdontspeakUrduorHindi #bengaliandproud #ekusherfebruary #february21 #internationalmotherlanguageday #bangladesh #bangla #bengali
