Roots, Rhythm and Rebellion

Beyoncé sings, “I’m a Survivor “. Nina Simone sings, “I got life”. Maya Angelou writes, “and still, I rise”. These strong, powerful women speak a language of ownership. Fiercely proud and independent, yet unafraid to be vulnerable, this is something I aspire to in both music and writing fiction. The proud and independent part is easy. The exposure of vulnerability? That’s where the challenge lies for me. If women express any emotion that is deemed negative, their whole persona becomes associated with negativity. There seems to be a ‘right’ way and a ‘wrong’ way to express displeasure, disappointment, jealousy, despair or any other not so pleasant emotion. America Ferreira’s speech in the film Barbie expressed this beautifully. This judgment is stunting. It has previously paralysed me and prevented me from writing what I really want to write about. In the late 90s, I was signed to a small, independent label, and was fortunate enough to be given free rein in terms of what I produced. Ho...

There is a line in my novel I’m currently writing that says, “I am rootless, restless”. It is a feeling I am well familiar with. From the moment when I was asked at 7 years old by a classmate, “but where do you really come from?”, I have felt disconnected and unsure of my place in the world. My heritage is mixed and shrouded in mystery to some degree, due to a lack of public records about my family. I have discovered (with the help of a family member) that my heritage is mainly composed of links to India, Ireland and Portugal. My family have all assimilated to English culture and have largely dismissed their connections to India. My mother was told to give up her Hindi and Tamil languages when she was a young girl, on a ship England bound from India. My great grandmother used to make pepper fry for dinner and replace poppadoms with hula hoops. My grandmother and great aunt had Catholic shrines in their homes with framed prints of Perpetual Mother and Sacred Heart Jesus, showing their a...

Hi, I’m Cheryl. I’m thrilled to share this space with you, where the vibrant tapestry of my identity intertwines with my passion for writing, music, and activism. As an Anglo-Indian woman navigating the intersections of culture, sexuality, and body positivity, I believe in the power of storytelling and rhythm to challenge the status quo and spark meaningful change. This blog is a celebration of all the facets that make me who I am: a proud plus-size advocate, a dedicated educator, and a passionate artist. Here, I’ll explore the narratives that shape our lives, the beats that move our souls, and the rebellions that demand our attention. Together, we’ll dive into discussions on feminism, self-acceptance, and social justice while embracing the beauty of diversity in all its forms.  My hope is that this space serves as a safe haven for anyone seeking to find their voice, share their stories, and join in the rhythm of resistance. Thank you for being here. Let’s create, connect, and insp...