Arab, Australian, Other: Stories on Race and Identity by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Arab, Australian, Other: Stories on Race and Identity Reviews

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  rachel, x

  ➸ Trigger warnings for racism, Islamophobia, gang rape discussed, child abuse, grief & loss depiction, death of a father & mother, murder, gang violence, war themes, deportation, displacement, and bullying.
  
  
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  Sandra

  'In reflecting on my feminist selving, it is the promise of my grandmothers I recall: warrior women who yearned to write their names, to read poetry, letters and books, to be free of the shackles of drudgery. Women like my mother, figure forcefully, wielding subversive power under the cover of domesticity, finding creative ways to express themselves in a world that devalues bold women who rock the patriarchal boat, finding them adrift in the sea of forgetfulness.' 'Once Upon a Time in the Diaspora' by Paula Abood
  
  This book is a collection of essays that reflect the lived experience of being brought up Arab in Australia. It explains the every day ignorance and objectification that is imposed on people whose culture is different, yet diverse and enriching. The assumption that all Arabs are the same, is totally shattered here, exposing the ignorance such marginalised views hold.
  
  'While studying at Punchbowl Boys High School, I hung out with eight young men who called themselves Lebs, even though three of them had parents who migrated to Australia from Syria, two of them had grandparents from Palestine, one of them had parents from Jordan, one of them had a Lebanese father and an Anglo-Australian mother, and one of them had two parents from Indonesia.'
  'The Origin of Leb' by Michael Mohammed Ahmed
  
  There is pressure to conform to white society. To change your name to something that is pronounceable. Even in school yard culture your diversity is analysed over the contents of your lunch box.
  
  'In many ways his dual identities informed my own. They let me shy away from Arabness when it seemed too much, too different. His changing between Baba and Dad gave me permission to change as I saw fit.
  And so I did.
  And so I do.' 'What's in a name?' by Wafa Kazal
  
  It also expresses the expectation of parents on their children to succeed in this new country.
  
  'It was a miserable and lonely time and I was too young to understand that my parents were trying to remedy their losses and anxieties through me.' 'The Pleasure and Privilege of Painting Flowers' by Amani Haydar
  
  It generously shares the cultural wisdom that is passed on.
  
  'Staring at the vanishing kite, with my uncle's hands on my shoulder, I hear him tell me, khalas habibi, keir, everything is meant to be. It's nasseb'. I never understood the pain behind his words 'lost forever' until he died years later.' 'Ros Bil Laban' by Yassir Morsi
  
  This is a fabulous collection of essays that will broaden you perspective, make your mouth water over all the descriptions of traditional food and create insight into the 22 separate Arab nationalities and their religions.
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  Rania T

  Identifying as Arab, living in Australia on borrowed land means different things to different people in this wonderfully put together Anthology, that pulverises the perceived stereotypes white, middle-class Australia is constantly fed, rather than the can of Cortas they should be eating instead.
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  Amra Pajalic

  A great collection essays about the varied experiences of being Arab. Not all Arabs are Muslims and not all Muslims are Arabs. Love the varied experience of identity and explores multiculturalism, stereotyping, racism and finding self acceptance to deal with the community at large.
  
  Aerobics for Arabis by Sara El Sayed was so poignant about her attempting to do aerobics and contending with her parents conservative attitudes and racism by her fellow classmates.
  
  A poem by Rooan Al Kamashi The Personal Discourse of a Young Refugee is resonant as she compares her experiences to those of her family.
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  Harinder

  I think this is a wonderful collection of stories to dip in and out of. Its range is fantastic - covering the full texture of Arab experiences - Lebanese, Palestinian, Christian and Muslim. The stories are funny, heartfelt and poignant (Ruby Hamad's The third time I broke my fathers's heart is so relatable and sad at the same time). As well as exploring and celebrating Arab diaspora experience, collectively these stories also expose how much, nowadays, to be Arab is political in its own right. And some of them make no bones about this (Michael Mohammed Ahmad's The story of Leb, for instance). But the effect of all of them collectively is -I hope - is to remind us that, like all of us, Arab Australians are a diverse group of individuals with different experiences, interests and points of view. Their contribution to our society - as this book highlights - is truly something to celebrate.
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  Silda

  As children of immigrants, it can be tiring constantly navigating the various worlds we are a part of and resisting the narratives enforced upon us. Growing up in Australia, there were times I felt so out of place and invisible (for being so visible). This book made me feel seen and heard. Thank you, sincerely.
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  Merryana

  what can I say that is unbiased about a book that articulated feelings I have had about being Arab Australian with such aptness that I felt a little unravelled whist reading? Nothing. But that is the highest compliment I am able to give.
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  Trigger Warning Database

  Trigger & Content Warnings:
  
  Racism
  Islamophobia
  Gang rape discussed
  Child abuse
  Grief & loss depiction
  Death of a father & mother
  Murder
  Gang violence
  War themes
  Deportation & displacement
  Bullying
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  Lauredhel

  Stories, vignettes, and short essays on being Arab- Australian. This book on micri-memoir was varied, engaging and important.
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  Natasha (jouljet)

  A collection of stories, poems, and autobiographical or think pieces of being of the Arab diaspora and living in Australia.
  
  Tales of family and disconnection with the "mainstream Aussie", of racism and exclusion, the political, the realities, the efforts to fit in, the riots and media that divides us. Of finding your identity, and returning to the land and food of the homeland.
  
  It's always striking to me how connected and reverent migrants and their generations are with Aboriginal Australia. Such respect and understanding - so much we white Australians can learn from.
  
  The most powerful for me, and which have and will stay with me were the chapter by Amani Haydar, encasing her family story of loss, and violence, and then also Randa Abdel-Fattah's words on being Palestinian, needing to being "balanced" and being sought for comment, and also the goosebump enducing, moving recall of traveling back to the homeland with her father.
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  Raneem

  I loved the rich and varied contributions; how each transported me to a different time/place and showcased the unique writing styles of each author.
  
  I am grateful to all contributors for allowing me into their homes, minds and hearts; for the sense of belonging I found in some and the surprise I found in others.
  
  As someone who has struggled articulating their own experience of being Arab-Australian, I am so very grateful for this works like this.
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  Monty Sallur

  This is an amazing collection of essays and stories that challenges many of the stereotypes placed on muslims and arabs by white Australia. There are lots of different voices represented in this anthology and they'll make you laugh and cry. A lot.
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  Jack

  Excellent excerpts of the endemic struggles of Arab-Australians in their assimilation and fight to be heard in a world which often doesn’t respect or value their religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
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  Magenta

  Brilliant anthology of stories and poems!! I really liked it and it opening my mind to experiences from a range of unique backgrounds in Australia.
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  Jay Moran

  Excellent book! Beautiful combination of heartfelt stories, meaningful poems, biting satire and anger about racism, islamophobia, ignorance and hurt.
  
  Would recommend.