Remembering Zara Abid

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A horrific tragedy gripped the nation on 22 May; a PIA plane crashed in a residential area near the airport killing 97 of its 99 passengers, all crew members including the pilot and destroying homes and buildings. Amongst the unfortunate was rising supermodel, Zara Abid. As the industry, fans and strangers mourned the loss, an army of moral brigadiers badgered the deceased on her wardrobe and lifestyle choices on her Instagram profile as well as news updates of her passing. Social media was ablaze with debate on an already traumatising event amidst a pandemic.

But we refuse to remember Zara at how the world viewed her. She was an empowered woman that struggled her way through to independence and recognition and her memory must not be tainted with comments that shame the dead. We remember Zara as the woman who fought a standard of beauty that plagues all brown women’s lives: the obsession of gora rang. She was a dusky beauty who owned her complexion despite the criticism and shaming she faced and walked the runway with unmatched poise, a huge loss for the fashion industry. She may have not consciously pushed it, but she was an influencer, maybe even an activist unknowingly, just being comfortable and proud of her own skin in a system that governs our feelings towards ourselves. Her walk was fierce, her self-assurance even more so and the runways, undoubtedly, will miss her. 

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