Thursday, May 29, 2014

THROWBACK THURSDAY: TODDLERHOOD IN KOLKATA, 1957-58

This is me playing domestic in our big living room in Kolkata, India. It's so early I haven't gotten dressed yet. 

I don't remember the broom or matching mop. The toys I really longed for were the boy's things given to my older brother: a Carroms game, erector set, cap guns. Even more, I longed for thick black socks instead of the wispy white ones I had to wear, and sturdy shorts and T-shirts instead of petticoats and sunsuits. I want to move without limitation and no worries about staining or tearing my attire.

 I wanted boys' freedom, not the sex itself -- which even then I was smart enough to know had NOTHING to do with the rules being handed out.

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