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leemac027's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful book that reflects the truth of the migrant experience to Australia - and this experience is so much worse if you are a person of colour, female and Muslim.
I am amazed at how Mehreen has survived it all and still fights for equality, justice and all the other issues that are so important right now.
The book covers Mehreen's childhood, growing up in Pakistan, meeting her husband, the relationships between members of such large families and then the move to Australia. Australia did not make it easy for Mehreen - systemic racism and religious bigotry were rife (and still are).
However there is hope. Mehreen has forged a career not only as an engineer but now as a Senator and is standing up for those who do not have a voice. She is also empowering and giving confidence to those who have not had the courage to speak out - be it on racism, LGBTQI+ rights, climate change, domestic violence and so on.
There is a growing swell of people now able to see that you can stand up for what is right - and yes you will get push back, but as Mehreen has stood on the shoulders of others, new generations will stand on hers to continue to achieve great things.
Thank you Mehreen.
I am amazed at how Mehreen has survived it all and still fights for equality, justice and all the other issues that are so important right now.
The book covers Mehreen's childhood, growing up in Pakistan, meeting her husband, the relationships between members of such large families and then the move to Australia. Australia did not make it easy for Mehreen - systemic racism and religious bigotry were rife (and still are).
However there is hope. Mehreen has forged a career not only as an engineer but now as a Senator and is standing up for those who do not have a voice. She is also empowering and giving confidence to those who have not had the courage to speak out - be it on racism, LGBTQI+ rights, climate change, domestic violence and so on.
There is a growing swell of people now able to see that you can stand up for what is right - and yes you will get push back, but as Mehreen has stood on the shoulders of others, new generations will stand on hers to continue to achieve great things.
Thank you Mehreen.
getlostmatilda's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars
Mehreen's memoir has taught me a few things.
First: ignorance is not an excuse for inaction. I tend to avoid politics, deeming it untouchable, impenetrable and frankly quite boring. I thought that change was close to impossible and we were just going to have to live with the way things were until it's probably too late (i.e. gender and racial inequality, climate change). When I thought of politics, I pictured a bunch of old white men in suits that are seriously out of touch with reality. To some extent, Mehreen reaffirmed that this is what much of parliament is still like. However, Mehreen herself is not out of touch - she is fierce and has strong morals that inform her actions and policy. While so many politicians are happy letting things go on the way they are, she challenges the status quo and brings difficult topics into the limelight for discussion. She is open to multiple perspectives and goes into a debate with an open mind which I admire. This gives me hope that politics is changing and we can hope for a better, more representative and forward-thinking future in Australia.
Second: just because we can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. By this I'm referring to things like gender inequality, racism and other forms of discrimination. As a young white woman, I have experienced sexual harassment and assault on more than one occasion. I could list the number of women on one hand that haven't had some sort of experience with this. And yet, even when it is reported to institutions (i.e. university, HR, government or police) it is brushed off as not that big of a deal. The current climate is teaching men that it is completely okay to abuse women - and that women should feel complemented by being cat called or touched without permission. This is something that Mehreen touches on in her book, challenging the patriarchal nature of institutions (including government) that continue to push policies that are anti-women (i.e. anti-choice abortion policies). As I have not experienced racial discrimination, I will acknowledge that it exists in every corner of Australia and that Mehreen does a great job at bringing it to attention. Now we just need to act on it and push for anti-discriminatory policies to be enforced.
Third: everyone has a role in promoting systematic change. Mehreen highlights this with the pro-choice abortion policy, where she acknowledges the work of campaigning staff (men and women), health practitioners, lawyers and the public. This can also be demonstrated in our right to vote, where we elect our leaders into parliament periodically. Personally, I will likely never pursue a career in politics and am currently on the path to becoming a health practitioner. However, I like to believe that one day I will be able to utilise my community ties to promote a healthier, safer and fairer country in which we all live in - like in the pro-choice campaigning story. Thank you Mehreen for providing me with hope and motivation to work towards a better future.
I look forward to hearing more about Mehreen's work in the community and wish her a successful career and life in Australia.
Mehreen's memoir has taught me a few things.
First: ignorance is not an excuse for inaction. I tend to avoid politics, deeming it untouchable, impenetrable and frankly quite boring. I thought that change was close to impossible and we were just going to have to live with the way things were until it's probably too late (i.e. gender and racial inequality, climate change). When I thought of politics, I pictured a bunch of old white men in suits that are seriously out of touch with reality. To some extent, Mehreen reaffirmed that this is what much of parliament is still like. However, Mehreen herself is not out of touch - she is fierce and has strong morals that inform her actions and policy. While so many politicians are happy letting things go on the way they are, she challenges the status quo and brings difficult topics into the limelight for discussion. She is open to multiple perspectives and goes into a debate with an open mind which I admire. This gives me hope that politics is changing and we can hope for a better, more representative and forward-thinking future in Australia.
Second: just because we can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. By this I'm referring to things like gender inequality, racism and other forms of discrimination. As a young white woman, I have experienced sexual harassment and assault on more than one occasion. I could list the number of women on one hand that haven't had some sort of experience with this. And yet, even when it is reported to institutions (i.e. university, HR, government or police) it is brushed off as not that big of a deal. The current climate is teaching men that it is completely okay to abuse women - and that women should feel complemented by being cat called or touched without permission. This is something that Mehreen touches on in her book, challenging the patriarchal nature of institutions (including government) that continue to push policies that are anti-women (i.e. anti-choice abortion policies). As I have not experienced racial discrimination, I will acknowledge that it exists in every corner of Australia and that Mehreen does a great job at bringing it to attention. Now we just need to act on it and push for anti-discriminatory policies to be enforced.
Third: everyone has a role in promoting systematic change. Mehreen highlights this with the pro-choice abortion policy, where she acknowledges the work of campaigning staff (men and women), health practitioners, lawyers and the public. This can also be demonstrated in our right to vote, where we elect our leaders into parliament periodically. Personally, I will likely never pursue a career in politics and am currently on the path to becoming a health practitioner. However, I like to believe that one day I will be able to utilise my community ties to promote a healthier, safer and fairer country in which we all live in - like in the pro-choice campaigning story. Thank you Mehreen for providing me with hope and motivation to work towards a better future.
I look forward to hearing more about Mehreen's work in the community and wish her a successful career and life in Australia.
albloomy's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
An interesting memoir and the parts about NSW State politics were fascinating. I wish there was a bit more about the federal side and I would hope there will be an updated version post 2023 referendum and the Greens engagement with the housing bill going through parliament.
An interesting memoir and the parts about NSW State politics were fascinating. I wish there was a bit more about the federal side and I would hope there will be an updated version post 2023 referendum and the Greens engagement with the housing bill going through parliament.
om4im's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I admire and respect Dr Faruqi and her work. She reflects on the struggles of immigrant women who want to see change while working and living within white institutions. It's exhausting work, and idk how people do this kinda work because it's draining.
Great into to intersectional feminism and to Faruqi's political stans. If you like Sara Ahmed's work, you'll like this one.
Great into to intersectional feminism and to Faruqi's political stans. If you like Sara Ahmed's work, you'll like this one.
brookesbookstagram's review against another edition
4.0
TW: racism, bullying, gender inequality.
Too Migrant Too Muslim Too Loud by Mehreen Faruqi was everything I wanted in a memoir.
Strong, independent, fierce, fighting for so much justice, words can't describe the admiration I have for Senator Faruqi.
To read the words of a politician, to see what she is standing for, to have someone fight for social justice was just awe inspiring. Learning about her upbringing, her arrival to Australia and her career in politics and in her personal life was an incredible experience.
I am inspired as a woman to have Senator Faruqi in parliament, fighting for our rights, fighting for our freedoms, fighting against marginalisation, racism, fighting for our Aboriginal brothers and sisters and generally sticking it to the white man. This fierce woman makes me incredibly proud and happy to see the shape of our future, individually, and as a nation.
Too Migrant Too Muslim Too Loud by Mehreen Faruqi was everything I wanted in a memoir.
Strong, independent, fierce, fighting for so much justice, words can't describe the admiration I have for Senator Faruqi.
To read the words of a politician, to see what she is standing for, to have someone fight for social justice was just awe inspiring. Learning about her upbringing, her arrival to Australia and her career in politics and in her personal life was an incredible experience.
I am inspired as a woman to have Senator Faruqi in parliament, fighting for our rights, fighting for our freedoms, fighting against marginalisation, racism, fighting for our Aboriginal brothers and sisters and generally sticking it to the white man. This fierce woman makes me incredibly proud and happy to see the shape of our future, individually, and as a nation.