Exploring Arab American Literature

The Notion of Home   The notion of home for Amani is deeply tied to her sense of identity and heritage. Although she was born and raised in America, Amani feels an emotional attachment toward Jordan, the land of her ancestors. Her journey is not just geographical; it is also internal and generational. Through the discovery of her grandmother Natalia’s mysterious blue letter, Amani seeks answers about her family’s past and the silences that shaped her identity. Her desire to connect with her roots reveals that “home” for Amani is more than a physical space; it is a story, a lineage, and a sense of belonging that she wants to reclaim. After returning to Jordan, Amani is not only retracing her family’s steps but also rewriting her own understanding of where she comes from and what home means to her personally.   Gabe, Amani’s father, has a more conflicted relationship with the idea of home, according to my understanding. Having immigrated to the United States years ago and rarely...

A Woman is no Man   The title of the book is symbolic of the situation of women in the Arab world and other traditional societies, where patriarchy shapes gender roles. It captures the essence of the restrictions women face in these settings, where they are often told that they are not capable of doing what men can and that they lack the same choices or freedoms as men.   Growing up in an environment similar to Rum’s, I often heard the phrase, “You are not a man; you cannot do the things men can,” usually from other women, which made it even more painful. Over time, I came to realize that women had been made to believe they were incapable of doing what men could. I encountered this belief frequently, especially when I defended my right to pursue an education and earn my own income. But the response was always the same: I should focus on what society had defined as my role, being in the kitchen and bearing children, while men were free to do as they pleased. Many would say that...

  Cracks in the foundation – how to face the value crisis in the European Union?   Attending the Global Fellows Colloquium on the European Union’s value crisis helped me understand the frameworks that hold Europe together. Since I had little prior knowledge of the rules and regulations that bind the EU, I found the content of the talk somewhat complex. This challenged me to consider exploring European political systems more deeply on my to-do list. Nonetheless, I was able to gain a basic understanding of what unites European nations, the tension between legal frameworks and democratic values, and analyze the implications of EU value deterioration for minority communities.   I was particularly interested to learn that the EU was not originally founded on a commitment to human rights and democracy, but rather on economic cooperation intended to secure peace. This also highlighted my gaps in knowledge about international politics. As a political science major, I now feel eve...

  Nidali’s struggles with her multiple identities    While reading A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar, I felt that Nidali’s search for identity mirrored my own. Growing up as a refugee, I faced significant discrimination in Pakistan, even from members of my own community who were a few steps ahead of me in life. I was often labeled as uncivilized and illiterate. Because of this, Iived many years of my life, denying my identity and distancing myself from who I truly was. Yet, at the same time, I didn’t belong to that community either. Eventually, I found my place and reclaimed my origins, but my search for who I am is far from over. I constantly ask myself: Who am I?   Even though I have an identity now, I still do not have a home. As an Indigenous person, I am treated as an outsider in my country of origin, Afghanistan, and in Pakistan, I was considered a homeless Afghan refugee, leaving me stranded between two places. Nidali’s father said, “Our people carry the homeland...

  Crescent - Diana Abu-Jaber  Diana Abu-Jaber’s book,  Crescent is captivating, taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster. It explores themes of politics, exile, love, and food as a love language. Beginning in Baghdad, Iraq, Abu-Jaber illustrates what it means to live in a politically unstable country, showing how people suffer under domestic government policies coupled with foreign invasion.   Han’s life, both in Iraq and in exile, mirrors the experiences of the Iraqi people under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, where speaking out against the government led to silence and torture. Additionally, the novel addresses themes of racism, particularly through Han and Janet’s relationship. Abu-Jaber not only connects Iraqis’ struggles to their government but also highlights the devastating impact of the U.S. invasion and the economic embargo, which harmed the people more than the regime. The suffering of Iraq’s citizens is vividly portrayed through Leila and Arif’s exper...

  This week’s reading and film was yet another interesting aspect of Arab and Muslim American experiences to explore.    Both the reading and the film explore themes of cultural intersectionality and the experiences of Arab Muslim Americans as they navigate life within American culture while holding onto ingrained Arab values. This is particularly evident in the relationship between Najlah and Sami. Najlah is more reserved in her approach to their relationship, whereas Sami is more open. In one scene, Sami asks Najlah, If she loves him, then why won’t she kiss him? We see similar themes in the reading, where the author describes the struggles of young Muslim Arab Americans, who, in the aftermath of 9/11, face ongoing oppression while also dealing with their parents’ expectations to build better lives, not just for themselves but also for their families and society at large.   I liked how the film authentically portrayed Faadi’s character. It highlights a sad reality ...

  Suheir Hammad  Suheir Hammad stood out to me as a bold, strong, and independent woman, qualities that have always been central to my values. I hope that one day, I can embody the same courage and strength as her in pursuing my dreams and advocating for my people and my identity. Her poetry and work are deeply inspiring, offering insightful lessons.   Based on my interpretation of her poetry and class conversations, I believe she chose the title Born Black Born Palestinian to highlight the shared struggles of Palestinians and Black people, both of whom have faced persecution. Additionally, she raises issues of colorism and discrimination against people of color, particularly women of color.     The more I learn about the experiences of Palestinians, the more I find myself reflecting on my personal experiences. Hammad’s poetry conveys a powerful message about the suffering and resilience of Palestinian people, the struggles of Palestinian refugees and the diasp...