Reels Against the Raj

How Brave Influencers are Dismantling Colonial Structures One Aesthetic Story at a Time

Moazzama Fatima

As of late, the radical chic influencer community have been doing everything they can for the betterment of the country. One might even say that Pakistan owes a lot more to the influencers than it does to the IMF—which is why it is so painful to see such little appreciation for them by the general populace. 

“It’s okay, you know, we don’t let the haters get to us, honestly,” they humbly clarified, not wanting to be upset over the lack of working-class support even after posting two Instagram stories a day.

Instead, ambassadors from the community seemed to be more interested in talking about other important aspects—such as their reasons for speaking out. What exactly propels them to partake in important conversations regarding Pakistan’s issues as a postcolonial state?

“I mean, if everyone’s talking about it, then it must be important, right?” said Ambassador No. #1, a brave social justice warrior from Phase 6. “We just did what we had to do,” they emphasised, hand on heart, as everyone else nodded in solemn agreement. 

Further discussing the fractured state of Pakistan’s socio-economic landscape and how it feeds into sustained colonial mindsets, another one (n\Ambassador No. #2) lamented, “Listen, I know times are, like, lowkey weird, but it’s only like that if you remain here, you get me? I’m sure we can change Pakistan for the better by staying at the Ritz-Carlton for the summer!” 

Upon being told that not many people can afford that, Ambassador No. 2, mustering up unprecedented amounts of empathy, replied, “Oh.”

They then went on to helpfully supply that if anyone’s having a hard time during this inflation, they can just inherit more money! “Just ask your dad!” they advised sagely.  

As for their contributions towards dismantling colonial structures, the elite liberal creators elaborated upon their chief philosophy and how they’ve been promoting it, saying:

“I say we return to our roots! Reclaim what the colonists took from us!” The ambassadors proclaimed, which is why they revealed how they plan to film a 30-second aesthetic reel in the walled city of Lahore with trending song no. #4 (slowed + reverb) to really get that point across—a truly heartwarming display of bourgeois radicalism. 

Finally, the radical chic community also expressed how replacing imported stuff with locally sourced produce from overpriced farmer’s markets in DHA has made them understand resistance in a way they’ve never been able to before. And that with the way things are moving, “I’d say we’re only a week or two away from reinventing 1950s postcolonial theory from scratch.” 

 

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Moazzama is a literature major, a chronic em dash enthusiast, a Letterboxd lurker, and a maven of unsettling motifs. For her, writing is a way of cutting through to the softer parts of what often goes untouched—her weapon of choice. Deeply passionate about resistance poetry, foreign cinema, and challenging political detachment in Pakistan, she is rarely far from these themes. And when she isn't engaging with them directly, she’s likely hunting for tickets to the latest theatrical release at a local cinema.
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