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Updated 15 Oct, 2019

Ushna Shah is known to not be afraid of saying what's on her mind and taking a stance for equality but something went awry here.

The Balaa actor decided to tweet using derogatory language towards a pizza delivery person. Because that's always a smart thing to do.

Shah clearly had a purpose with the tweet which no one - including us - could understand because she never bothered to apologise for the statements or accept that it's perfectly okay to be afraid of dogs. That too, pitbulls.

Not everyone is aware that they can possess a very sweet demeanor, including a pizza delivery guy at 2:00 AM.

Ushna's tweet was met with intense backlash.

With people calling her out for the elitist and ignorant tweet...

...and many just wondering how she could've thought this was a good idea.

I mean, we're all for accountability and accepting our own mistakes but that isn't there either so what is happening?

Ushna Shah responded to the outrage, hoping to make her point clear.

"I was holding the dog. He refused to come in. The first ten minutes of “mera waada hei kuch nahi Hota”, “meina pakra hua hei issey please guzar jayein” [and] “bahadur baneyin Shahbash” didn’t work... none of that encouragement worked. But as soon as his masculinity was challenged my pizza was inside. Says more about society then it does me."

But unfortunately for Ushna, that explanation wasn't enough. Maybe because she thought calling someone out over their privilege is crying, but people weren't willing to accept this explanation. Because perhaps if she did indeed think this way, the original tweet would've been phrased differently.

This led to Ushna giving an even bigger clarification and writing about masculinity and patriarchy.

"I resorted to the approach, knowing it would work on a Pakistani man," said Ushna, admitting yet again her statements were sexist.

"I was of course not proud of it, it was an honest confession that should have created a conversation about masculinity in Pakistan except every twitter warrior who had to be enraged was. I don't mean to offend anybody who is afraid of dogs (although the dog phobia in our country is another discussion)."

Ushna fails to understand that a lot of the rage doesn't even come from the sexist comments - which are as insulting to women as they are to men - but the derogatory behaviour towards a person in the service industry who is being demeaned because of the very obvious power dynamics.

And still being unapologetic about it. We love unapologetic women but when it's towards society, not an underpaid service worker.

You can't demand a service while simultaneously degrading those who provide it for you. That's the tea. Here's hoping Ushna gets it for the future.

Comments

Helping Hands Oct 15, 2019 12:47pm
Lost my respect there, lady!
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Umair Oct 15, 2019 01:27pm
How about instead of making pizza guy uncomfortable going out of your door to receive pizza from delivery person.
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Queen Oct 15, 2019 01:52pm
She should apologize rather than writing unnecessary justifications.
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Rebirth Oct 15, 2019 02:12pm
I find it odd that she wanted it to be a debate about male egos, and she even threw in some 'very important' buzzwords like "patriarchy" and "masculinity" but people didn't really bother to take the bait. In fact, she even tried to make it about the discrimination dogs face in Pakistan (pitbulls are banned in the country she went to school in). But the masses showed resilience. Usually, when such buzzwords are employed, people fall for it. Since the people (as in the public) found a different criteria to judge this situation by, namely the difference between socioeconomic classes, the actress went one step lower on the vulnerability ladder and tried to make it about canine discrimination. 9 times out of 10, they get it to work. Either the world's about to come to an end or the general public has regained their sanity, or both. I'm not sure if we should applaud the latter or worry about the former. Or just have mixed feelings like I do, now.
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huma yousaf Oct 15, 2019 02:35pm
just admit that you are wrong girl!!! how hard is this?
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bhaRAT© Oct 15, 2019 02:53pm
Many people don't come near dogs due to justified phobia. Nothing to do with 'masculinity' or not. Pitbull Terriers not only dangerous looking, they have viscous reputation. Once they grip you with a bite they never let it go. They have caused many injuries and deaths!
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UFO Oct 15, 2019 04:51pm
For all those who never heard of her, well now you do. Fair deal
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N_Saq Oct 15, 2019 07:15pm
Her complaints about Pak's patriarchal society and men not respecting women or behaving badly towards women is right but she took her anger out on a wrong person. The pizza guy was just doing his job and has nothing to do with the women issues she is trying to highlight. Her thought was in the right place but her actions were not.
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ahmedabout Oct 15, 2019 08:27pm
Ushna, you owe it to this delivery person. Yes, most people are afraid of pit bulls. Although you were holding this 'monster', it is still scary. Say sorry graciously, tip him well if you didn't. Just know that not all people are fortunate to be Ushna Shah.
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HonorBright Oct 15, 2019 09:15pm
It was 2:30 AM, who talks sensibly then?
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Zain Oct 16, 2019 02:45am
It's hard to understand why anyone would challenge a poor delivery man's mardangi with a bull dog.
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Illawarrior Oct 16, 2019 05:30am
Am I missing something here? Why would you haggle for 10 minutes whilst the pizza grows cold? Why not just take the pizza from him? In many countries, the delivery person is not even allowed to enter the premises, for their own safety - an excellent policy.
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OS Oct 16, 2019 07:44am
This women highlights the paradox that is feminism. This is exactly how white people talk about reverse racism. Actually I think this is dumber, she is the one in a privileged position, destroying a delivery guy trying to make ends meat and asking him to be a man. Is she saying it would make sense if a women is afraid of dogs? Is she implying women are weak? What does be a man even mean? All I will ask you to be is a human.
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Anon Oct 17, 2019 12:57am
@Rebirth Sophisticated.
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