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unmistakablyphoenix 's review for:
challenging
informative
Najla Said is such a relatable writer- her story hits home for anyone who deals with a crisis of the identity. But it’s so much deeper than that, and gives insight into a world I will never be a part of. I’m thankful for the chance she’s given me to hear about an experience that many Americans whose families have immigrated from other countries face. Especially those from Arabic countries. What it’s like to grow up as an American while simultaneously being an outsider because of her Lebanese-Palestinian parents and their culture.
I was struck when she talked about how immigrants to Canada are encouraged to keep their cultures and be Canadian second, vs America having a society of assimilation. We are American first and everything else second, but at the same time so many will never be seen as true Americans due to their family’s country of origin or skin color. I believe this is the core of why the USA struggles with such hefty division- White families that have immigrated here generations ago feel they have a claim to this land that no one else does, even the Native Americans that cultivated this land long before anyone else stepped foot on it. Everyone else is an other, and they are demanded to be not seen nor heard.
Another thing that stuck out to me was within her identity crisis, how those around Najla treated her. Growing up in an Arabic family that still has close ties to their culture, but then being with White friends who say ‘You’re not really Arabic, you’re basically white!’ has got to be such a mindfuck for young people in America. This is not the compliment people think it is, and only serves to separate someone further from their cultural identity. It also shows how these people think- you’re not like the bad ones, you’re different! Such an awful sentiment that reeks of supremacist ideals.
Najla’s story is so thought provoking and eye opening, I would definitely suggest this to everyone. I did wish there was more focus on what has been happening in Palestine, but this is a memoir first and education second and I still heavily appreciate that.
I was struck when she talked about how immigrants to Canada are encouraged to keep their cultures and be Canadian second, vs America having a society of assimilation. We are American first and everything else second, but at the same time so many will never be seen as true Americans due to their family’s country of origin or skin color. I believe this is the core of why the USA struggles with such hefty division- White families that have immigrated here generations ago feel they have a claim to this land that no one else does, even the Native Americans that cultivated this land long before anyone else stepped foot on it. Everyone else is an other, and they are demanded to be not seen nor heard.
Another thing that stuck out to me was within her identity crisis, how those around Najla treated her. Growing up in an Arabic family that still has close ties to their culture, but then being with White friends who say ‘You’re not really Arabic, you’re basically white!’ has got to be such a mindfuck for young people in America. This is not the compliment people think it is, and only serves to separate someone further from their cultural identity. It also shows how these people think- you’re not like the bad ones, you’re different! Such an awful sentiment that reeks of supremacist ideals.
Najla’s story is so thought provoking and eye opening, I would definitely suggest this to everyone. I did wish there was more focus on what has been happening in Palestine, but this is a memoir first and education second and I still heavily appreciate that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Racism
Moderate: Cancer