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Episode 156 [in English]: Lena Harbali

Published April 17, 2021

Lena Harbali is an LA-based Syrian-American multidisciplinary artist working in fashion, writing, music, visual art, and more. Lena discusses how growing up in various places – Michigan, Belgium, and Japan – shaped her perspective on the world. She recounts her journey into designing, and eventually modeling, with the goal of making fashion for all body types and gender expressions. She also talks about recording her recent EP, embracing her voice, and releasing the throat chakra. We discuss how art can at once be a form of expression and something to hide behind – and learning to share ourselves more directly with the world. 

Lena’s new fashion line Queens Armor comes out on April 30th – be sure to check it out!
Follow @lenaharbali on IG; check out her website here: https://www.lenaharbali.com/
Dress @harbalicouture
Model @lenaharbalimodel
Photo @madelynnefarinellaphoto
MUA @makeupbymiarai

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Episode 154 [in English]: When We Were Arabs, part 2

Published April 10, 2021

 

Massoud Hayoun is a Los Angeles-based journalist and writer. His book When We Were Arabs recounts his grandparents’ lives in Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, and Los Angeles as a decolonial reclamation of Jewish Arab identity.

In part two of our two-part conversation, Massoud explains his decision not to include his queer identity in the book–with the intention of focusing on his grandparents’ stories and the anticolonial message, but also with some concern about making himself a singular voice on Queer Arab issues.

We also discuss the challenges of writing for a mixed or unknown audience, where accounts of homophobia in our communities could be used to fuel racist stereotypes. 

However, we agreed that many of the political dynamics discussed in the book resonate with contemporary LGBTQ politics in the region, as colonial entities have repeatedly adopted marginalized groups (ethnic and religious minorities, women, queer people) as props to justify their dominance. 

We also talked about his desire to write about joy, hope, and the future–which can be hard!

Recommended Reading: Intro to The Hidden Face of Eve by Nawal El Saadawi (Rest in Power)
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-hidden-face-of-eve-1

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