Artistic Authenticity

Artistic Authenticity

     True authenticity selects words of truth rather than protecting its own interest. It chooses to honor the ideas of the speaker rather than only what others want to hear. Authenticity for an Arab-American writer is often a pain staking struggle to find just the right definition of the chosen word…a meaning that is not easy to the tongue…chosen words that most often boomerang back in a twisted echo of malformed meaning.

     Being an Arab-American Lesbian Author who maintains authenticity is an artistic challenge when others do not want to hear what is being said. Being authentic emotionally in my work has been a lifetime struggle because authenticity does not include external or internal censorship.  

     Even well thought out words woven together to create a beautiful authentic tapestry, may  stream off the tongue only to  enter many different worlds….pushing through filters that only echo intended meaning.  Echoes…twisting my words instead of listening to them…. playing with the meaning to suit their needs and to meet their stereotypes. They assign meaning vocabulary in order to defend their already immovable positions.  Never once thinking that what I am saying is about me…my authentic thoughts…not about them or what they need to justify.

     My words are not anyone’s justification. Justifiers cannot bury me underneath their own words to build a foundation for their feet; my words were care-fully chosen and are not to be dug down to create a path under their shoes.  What I have to say…. may be sometimes unexpected and unwelcome; may be truthful and hard to hear; may point out the suffering of others that many do not want to see;  and may require fixed minds to be patient and flexible in thought.  

     The intention behind my words is to increase understanding and compassion between those inhabiting the space of opposition. I think authenticity is a journey that creates a richer artistic work, deeper and more understanding human relationships and that our authentic voices can out-speak the echoes to inspire others to be authentic as well.

Is it the right time to push for change?

When people ask me... Why are you advocating for international Queer and Trans human rights...when we have many fights here in the U.S. like marriage equality, the dissolving of voting rights act protections, discrimination and trans inclusion, the right for LGBTIQ+ parents to adopt through government systems?  It is not the right time for this discussion."

Is it ever the 'right time' to advocate for civil or human rights?  If activists of the past had decided to wait for the best time to protest than many great movements, that have moved countries forward toward progress, would never had happened.  I advocate through my writing because the cause is something that I deeply care about and because the cause is just.  The effort to liberate others who are living in oppressive environments is central to creating a new vision of society that is built on equality.  The struggle is a touchstone for all of us, as a global society, if we are to move forward.

Personally, I work toward these ends because I can and many others can't for fear of violent retribution.  I make a choice to care about a discrimination that seems so overwhelming and impervious to change.  I have always believed in the power of social movements that push for equality. I believe that my message may help to build a foundation for future action.

Is it the right time to push for change...to demand human rights? We may never know. In my view...it is always the right time to teach appreciation for diversity and to stand by a human ethic of equality and justice.


(Written on the day of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington.)

Writing Poetry in D.C.

Excerpt:
[For the full version of the poem, contact the author.]

Zahar

we, the sun-chasers, bound to light,

and zionist curfew the same,

fight to chant the sun to rise over mountain

our love sun’s defiant reign

sand slips through her fingers making a way to forgiveness

her exhale pushes slowly slipping passed the Hassidim’s sway

her prayer weaving what remains

a somber brew of hope…less…ness

despair tints the canvas of brutality emerging

resisting the moon

I fall into her

like thick mist between winter barked trees,

when there were trees,

she

pushing the lit-horizon’s cascading shade

my breasts skim her back

tongue to neck

she turns…

as the zahar brings hued-brilliance

defiant in wilting air

 

Poetry Friends

Micaela Kaibni Raen and poet Dee Norwood discussing poetry in motion as the "other" mom

 
I am seemingly lost in poetry today with my friend, the poet, Dee Norwood.  We have a lot in common being lesbian parents, budding poets and community change agents working to make the world a better place each and every day.  I admire her tenacity, persistence and ability to laugh no matter what is going on around her.  Many poets have strong spirits but she is also a heroine in love .... for she is one of the most loving mothers I have ever seen and ever so patient with her children  The expansive ability to love and to laugh comes across in her poetics exhibiting a great talent that, over and over again, brings to us the important messages of our day.

Dee Norwood poem:

Upon the Occasion of our Falling in Love

We stand at the
Edge of a
Compatible cliff
Not knowing if
Our thick cord
Of commonalities
Will unravel into
Weak strands of coincidences
-a farce-
(the product of our fast forward into
everything we ever wanted)

And on a cue
That was never
Discussed we
Step softly off
And know we
Are falling into
Perfection

Fearless

Many people ask me if I am afraid of the public's reaction to my work, being lesbian, a mother, Arab-American, speaking out about the plight of Palestinian children...and more. The truth is that I have to believe that I am "me" for a reason and that reason is something of value to the world. Any act that can both integrate the fragmented pieces of myself and simultaneously empower and educate others is irresistible to me because that is the path that has unfolded in front of me. I must trust that path...that is my destiny. 

In an interview with NPR in 2013, internationally acclaimed author Manil Suri was asked about how he prepares to write a character like Jaz (the characterr is very sexual male who is also gay and Muslim) and whether he worries about backlash. Suri replied, "I sort of think — and this is something that is true of all novelists, hopefully — that writers have to be somewhat fearless."

Hearing this inspired me because I feel like, to walk on my authentic path, I will have to be fearless...have to be fearless over and over and over again.

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[Background note - Manil Suri's new novel, The City of Devi, opens with India and Pakistan on the verge of nuclear war. India is roiled by factional violence between Hindus and Muslims. Bombers strafe citizens, vigilantes settle scores, and terrorists set off dirty bombs around the country as Mumbai boils over with fear and fury. And if that's not enough, it's also a sex comedy.]        http://m.npr.org/news/Books/170585603