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The Queer Arabs Posts

Episode 169 [in English]: Savage Tongues

Alia and Nebal (thank you Nebal for guest co-hosting!) got to talk to author Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi about her newly released novel Savage Tongues!  The novel examines gender constructs in Islam and the West, and the intersections of sexual desire and violence amidst the ongoing subjugation of the Middle East to imperialism. In the book, she argues for queer intellectual exchange and female friendship as alternative structures to oppose patriarchy, heteronormativity, and the imposed religious, racial, and ethnic homogeneity of nationalism.

In addition to talking about the novel itself, we discussed shared experiences navigating coming from a mixed background, particularly with identities that are often seen as enemies.  We also talked about pinkwashing, queerness, the power of female friendships, and more.  It was a pleasure to speak with Azareen, and we encourage you all to get your hands on the novel!  Happy reading!

http://www.azareenvandervlietoloomi.com/ 

 

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Episode 168 [in English]: InsecuriTEA, Revisted

This week we have an unfiltered, unedited personal episode with Nadia, Alia, and Ellie in the spirit of last year’s InsecuriTEA series. We discuss our thoughts on the label “activist,” the need for psychological realism in leftist organizing, and our feelings of political, personal, professional, and podcast burnout. We also discuss our respective job instabilities and new directions (Alia’s starting a coding bootcamp!), Nadia’s recent trip to Lebanon, post(?)-pandemic dating struggles, and finding the balance between spending time with aging family members and living our messiest lives.

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