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Book worm: Melani Budianta: A reader of feminist literature works
JP/Jawahir Gustav RizalMelani Budianta teaches gender studies, post-colonialism, comparative literature and cultural studies at the University of Indonesia’s (UI) School of Literature
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JP/Jawahir Gustav Rizal
Melani Budianta teaches gender studies, post-colonialism, comparative literature and cultural studies at the University of Indonesia’s (UI) School of Literature.
As a feminist and an academic, Melani is very active in the local and international scene of both fields.
Her works are mainly about gender, literature and cultural identity, and have been published in various journals, such as the Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs; Nivedini: Journal of Gender Studies; Self and Subject in Motion — Southeast Asian and Pacific Cosmopolitans; and Clearing a Space: Post-coloniality and Indonesian Literature.
In Indonesia, Melani is known as one of the initiators of Suara Ibu Peduli (Mothers’ Voices), a group of women who played a significant role in Indonesia’s Reformation era with their “Milk Politics,” which addressed the severe impact of then-government economic policies on children and women.
As a lecturer in the school of literature, Melani also takes a close look at the development of Indonesian literature works, especially those written by female writers. She sees that Indonesian women have become more confident in expressing themselves.
However, she is also aware that some female writers prefer not to be called feminists, because the term is not well-accepted in Indonesia.
“In [Indonesia], feminists are often misinterpreted. When people hear the word feminist, the first thing that comes to their mind is that it is imported from Western countries, and the second thought is that it is an anti-man movement,” Melani said.
“So, the word itself is not well-accepted. Often, when we ask female [public] figures or art and literature activists who express empowerment and women’s rights, they will tell you that they are not feminists.”
— The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post
Sihir Perempuan (A Woman’s Magic)
by Intan Paramaditha
Intan’s works is very interesting; how she reprocesses all the myths, legends, fairy tales and packs them with different genres while taking a different perspective, such as criticizing patriarchy.
Bukan Perawan (Not a Virgin) Maria
by Feby Indirani
Feby tries to portray contemporary phenomenon in which people are quick to become angry because of religious issues. She captured it in a different way by using humor, relaxation, multi-interpretation, open-mindedness and using a younger style with the use of social media terms. I think it is very interesting and we need to look at it.
Pulang (Home)
by Leila S. Chudori
Leila tries to re-write the events of 1965 in a different perspective. She reviews our politics in a complex way; she re-writes Indonesian history differently.
