One of the things I looked most forward to after being sworn in as an American citizen: to serve on a jury. Partially inspired by the show Law & Order SVU; and, partially by the philosophy: Innocent until proven guilty.
Read More
Interview with Sweta Srivastava Vikram About Her Debut U.S. Novel 'Louisiana Catch'
Parts of the book are funny and romantic, writing that's easy; the parts about sexual violence were difficult to write. I had to envision the darkness, conduct in-depth research, interview psychotherapists, recall some victim confessions from over a decade ago, and feel the sense of betrayal and shame that a sexual assault survivor might actually feel. I wanted to write with sensitivity without patronizing anyone.
Read More
Interview with Sweta Srivastava Vikram
In 2013, Indian poet Sweta Srivastava Vikram published a collection of poems titled No Ocean Here. Published by Modern History Press, No Ocean Here documents the stories of oppressed women living in different parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Following an itinerary made up of narrative poems, the reader travels to countries including Singapore, Bangladesh, and Cameroon, coming face-to-face with patriarchal tyranny. Vikram takes her readers on an emotional and geographical journey. She writes,
I walk humbly through cultures,
documenting stories
for women without a voice.
-"No Ocean Here"