When We Were Arabs: Memory, Erasure, and Cultural Connections

Описание: Diverse expressions of historical memory persist and gain meaning despite nationalist projects to minimize diversity in pursuit of an imaginary homogeneity that in truth exists practically nowhere in the world. The fact that such attempts at erasure are responsible not only for cultural amnesia, but for denial of common cultural experiences that would foster acceptance instead of rejection. This workshop will place two works of historical memory into conversation. Coincidentally, two authors representing two culturally related but geographically distant societies gave their books the same title: When We Were Arabs to invoke that claim of identity (Cuando Fuimos Arabe). They are Emilio González Ferrín, University of Seville, and journalist Massoud Hayoun based in Los Angeles. This conversation, moderated by educator Dr. Rabiah Khalil, will explore the persistence of memory and affirm the value of recognizing shared roots and accepting the richness of our diversity.

Emilio González Ferrín, University of Seville speaking on his book Cuando Fuimos Arabes and his English-language essay “When We Were Arabs” (and material/lectures & Q/A from STI 2021): https://georgetown.app.box.com/folder...

Pdf of book: https://www.perlego.com/book/3040881/...

Interview: https://www.davidgoa.ca/podcast-emili...

Lecture from 2021 Summer Institute with American University of Beirut: https://georgetown.box.com/s/q561ptzj...

Massoud Hayoun, author, When We Were Arabs: A Jewish Family’s Forgotten Heritage book: https://thenewpress.com/books/when-we...
and interview on NPR: https://www.npr.org/2019/06/26/732052... (https://thenewpress.com/news/author-s...)

and a document with transcribed interviews: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S...