Weam Namou's Blog, page 9
October 27, 2019
An Inspiring Immigrant Story
Claudia Compos Vargas saw me speak at an event one day and afterward reached out offering to help me with marketing my business. We had lunch, she came to the Path of Consciousness retreat, and we became friends. I’m very grateful for the people I meet, all who are making the world a brighter place through their inspiring stories and wonderful services.
Claudia is originally from Mexico City and came to Michigan as a teenager through the work of her father, Sam Campos. Her father was transferred to work for a Mexican company that serves to the automotive industry in Southfield. The job was a two year position that was increased to a permanent position in which her family made Michigan their home. Claudia attended Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, and went on to attend Oakland Community College, and Baker College.
Her parents at an early age showed her to be active and help out others. Her mother, Lucy, was also an active participant of the Hispanic community working for the Mexican Consulate. Through the sample of her parents Claudia learned the importance of helping others. It is through her volunteering that she discovered a need for representation of honest business offering their services to the Spanish speaking communities in Michigan. That’s when she founded CVG Marketing, a multi cultural advertising agency that helps businesses grow by tapping a market projected to be worth 1.7 trillion dollars.
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Detroit’s Hispanic population has more than doubled in the two decades since immigration to the region began in the 1990s. There are an estimated 400,000 Hispanics in Michigan, more than half of whom live in metro Detroit. There are an estimated 58.9 million Hispanic people in the United States, comprising 18.1% of the population.
America is uniquely a nation of immigrants, created by settlers who arrived from elsewhere. They intentionally invited and encouraged others to follow them and for the most part didn’t make the process complicated. Furthermore, the United States made it essential to equalize the conditions of both new citizens and old. And this has been one of the reasons behind this land’s blessings. Yet only those who understand and appreciate what this land has to offer will receive those blessings.
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For more information about Claudia and her marketing company, visit http://www.cvgmarketing.com/
October 20, 2019
Kotha Arab World Film Festival
Kotha is an ancient town in the city of Babel, otherwise known as Babylon. Babel is mentioned in numerous cuneiform inscriptions, the holy books of the Bible and the Koran, and the books of travelers and orientalists. The name of the city appeared for the first time in the Akkadian period, 2371-2230 BC as “Kadirigirra” in the Sumerian language and “Babili” or “Babiliani” in the Babylonian Semitic language, meaning “the door of gods/goddesses.” Babylon is associated with King Hammurabi, the lawmaker, and King Nebuchadnezzar II, whose reign Babel became the biggest city in the ancient world. Alexander the Great even considered adopting it as his capital because of its special status and the importance it enjoyed among the ancient world.
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Mahdy Al-Babely, whose name translates to Mahdy the Babylonian, is a teacher and filmmaker who founded Kotha Arab World Film Festival, naming it after this ancient Sumerian town, to honor the creative men and women of the international Arab World, particularly celebrating the Iraqi cinema. Films from all over the world have submitted to Kotha – from Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, and France. And if you want to submit, the deadline is October 30.
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The film festival will be held at the Arab American National Museum from November 29 to December 1st. Every session will showcase a film from one of the Arab and international countries. The first session will be dedicated to Iraq. For more information and an updated schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/KOTHA-Arab-World-Film-festival-109465180434500
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This is a great endeavor by Mahdy, as it helps showcase new talent, encourage the community toward the arts, and are a creative way to engage audiences. Through the influence of compelling stories, film festivals can touch our hearts and display stories we wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to see.
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Kotha’s website: https://5d4de885ce43c.site123.me/?fbclid=IwAR28wg7L_3I99SZe3f3n36_kdNONwfcqu8nCAozkWD3QlmMGOCnldfMwdsA
September 30, 2019
The True Path of Consciousness
Sometimes Spirit gives us a little nudge and sometimes spirit gives us a big nudge when we are not following the true path of consciousness. I moved through my blocks in an unusual way for me. Along the way I found something that could lead me into living a more fulfilling life on all levels, especially helping me with my writing career. I found the four-year Mystery School, led by New York Times bestselling author and mystic Lynn V. Andrews. Eight years later, I’m still closely involved with Lynn’s teachings.
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Teri Williams interviewed me recently on her show Soulful Living about my experience in Lynn’s school. Some clients describe Teri as a “Shaman for business.” She also works as a Reiki Master and Shamanic Practitioner assisting others to release and shift that which no longer serves their highest good. That’s why she invited me on her show. She realizes the importance of these teachings which have transformed my life so much that I’ve created an opportunity where others can do the same through the Path of Consciousness, a spiritual and writing conference and retreat which takes place during the first week of October.
The Path of Consciousness is an idea born from a little spiritual hideaway in the Riviera Maya, Mexico where shamans perform a Mayan ceremony using a Temazcal steam bath. This relaxing mystical old-age rite is good for the soul and mixes a spiritual journey with an encounter with the basic elements of our planet: water, fire, earth, and wind.
Similarly to the Temazcal steam bath in the Riviera Maya, this community is about reconnecting to our inner power, healing and transforming ourselves, and creating a better world for our families and communities.
A number of medical schools such as Columbia University now have Narrative Medicine master’s program, recognizing the power that practices such as the art of storytelling provides for people to heal and grow.
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To learn more about the retreat, visit http://www.ThePathofConsciousness.com
September 29, 2019
Two Sisters Co-Author their First Book
As first generation Assyrian Americans, Josephine and Mary had one goal. They wanted to share their vision of Iraq with the world through the stories that molded their minds throughout their upbringing so people get a chance to see that Iraq is more than a place riddled with war, destruction, poverty, and terrorists.
The sisters were born and raised in the North Park area of Chicago, Illinois, for most of their lives until they moved to San Diego, California. They shared their lives with each other until they got married and now live on opposite sides of the country. This didn’t stop them from creating Before There Were Borders.
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The creation of Before There Were Borders started when Josephine wanted to write a book, a goal she wanted to mark off her bucket list. She wanted to write a story about her culture so people could understand that Assyrians are more than just a chapter in history books. She wanted to show that the Assyrian community is still alive in today’s modern world. Then she decided to reach out to her sister, Mary, and ask for her feedback. Once Mary came on board with the project, the story came alive. Mary’s creativity helped make the story and characters blossom and reach its true potential.
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Josephine and Mary overcame lots of challenges over the course of three months, in addition to living across the country from one another. But this didn’t stop them from completing their mission. Josephine and Mary’s writing routine consisted of waking up early and being on the phone several hours as they formulated scenes and character development while fulfilling their marital and maternal duties. This went on back and forth until the story was edited and finally complete.
In December 2018 Before There Were Borders was published. The novel is a coming-of-age story about an Assyrian-American female named Sara Georges, who shares her experiences growing up as a young girl in Iraq and how she dealt with its culture, patriarchy, and limitations. She tells her story to her American-born granddaughter, who is unaware of the harsh truths of her grandmother’s homeland.
Quite ambitious, the sisters were able to accomplish their goal despite their busy schedules. Josephine studied English at the University of San Diego and specialized in medieval literature along with philosophy and history. She is fluent in several dialects of Aramaic. She can also read and write classical and modern Aramaic. After college, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she lives with her husband, Victor, and two young boys. Josephine has a decade of experience in the building industry and project management. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration at Central Michigan University. Her passions include volunteering in the community, training for races, spending time with her family, reading books, writing, and cooking.
Mary has been married to Zaid for almost a decade and together they have a daughter and son. She currently resides in a well-manicured suburb of San Diego. Mary lives a life that consists of constantly improving herself spiritually, intellectually, and physically. She hopes she can reach one person and make a positive change in his/her life, which would be enough for her. She’s first and foremost a humanitarian and believes change starts at home and with those within her reach. She tries to contribute to making a big difference in little ways. Mary’s passions include reading books and watching movies, listening to all kinds of music, cooking, decorating homes, and hosting big family gatherings. She is artistically talented with an unforgettable sense of humor.
Since Mary lives in California, I interviewed Josephine on my show about her journey. Here are some insights she had about the writing life.
What inspired you to start writing?
I was inspired to write since I was a little girl. I used to read all the time and was fascinated in getting lost in a story. It was always a goal of mine to write a book ever since I was young. This also attributed to my English major at the University of San Diego.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was a little girl, but have been “professionally” writing for over thirteen years.
When did you start writing?
Believe it or not, I started writing Yelp reviews when I was twenty years old. Then, I was asked to write movie reviews for new releases. I finally shifted to getting creative with different types of writing from screenplays, poems, list stories, and full-on research papers.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I have always wanted to be a writer. It’s a definitely a “calling” since I was 8.
What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?
First, you have to read. Reading gives a writer mental exercise.
I suggest finding your voice through journaling. Start out with a small goal like writing one word on the first day. I promise that you will end up writing more. I recommend getting yourself somewhere comfortable with limited distractions and the writing will come. Try to sit in the same place at the same time and before you know it, you will be writing effortlessly.
Once you find your voice, you can practice executing your voice by writing reviews or writing letters to your friends and loved ones. Then, get creative with whatever writing style that calls you.
How do you come up with the titles to your books?
I came up with my title while I was exercising. Running and exercising stimulates me.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I considered myself a writer when I became a Yelp “Elite” member and got “Review of the Day” (LOL true story).
Describe your writing space.
My favorite current writing space is in my kitchen with the shades open. On my kitchen table. On the table is a cup of tea. And the shades open so I can watch the sun rise whilst listening to acoustical classical music.
What time of the day do you usually write?
I usually write first thing in the morning before I look at my phone or talk to anybody.
Describe a typical writing day.
A typical writing day starts around 4 AM before I get influenced by anything. I wake up, force myself out of bed, and go downstairs to my kitchen.
I drink some water, make some tea, and put my laptop on the kitchen table with my journal. I review my affirmations of the day, start some initial journaling expressing gratitude, and review my schedule in my planner.
Then, I open my laptop and start writing once I hit play on my music playlist. It’s called “Focus on Work”, which consists of: Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian, Bach, Beethoven, Café del Mar, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mozart, Lindsey Sterling, Rossini, Thievery, Vivaldi, and so many others. Music is essential for my creativity.
What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
The difficult part of writing is continuing where you left off when life throws a curveball at you.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
My work schedule is flexible since I am currently raising my boys and helping my husband with his businesses. But, since my boys, husband and household are my job, I have to focus on writing early in the morning before anybody wakes up and needs me.
What does success mean to you? What is the definition of success?
To me, success means doing what you love whilst positively impacting the lives of those around you. The definition of success is working on a goal you are passionate about and getting it done. Success is simple. We complicate it.
To learn more, visit https://beforetherewereborders.com/
September 22, 2019
Chaldean Cultural Center
Earlier this year, Judy Jonna, one of the Board of Directors at the Chaldean Cultural Center, gave me a private tour of the Center’s state-of-the-arts Museum which covers 5,000 years of Chaldean history. The inside shows what the town center of ancient Babylon was like with a replica of the stele on which Hammurabi’s Code of Laws was etched. We walked into a sacred space and heard Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ. I was transported to Teklaif, my parents’ and grandparents’ village, witnessing the life of the early 20th century to see what life was like for people living in the Nineveh Plain. Then we walked to the American Gallery, to view the New York skyline as early pioneers would have seen it from Ellis Island. I also observed the grocery store as it would’ve been in the 1930s for a Chaldean entrepreneur.
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This museum was developed by Saylor + Sirola, a New York exhibition design team that specializes in museum work, in conjunction with Sanan Media and Life Formations, Inc. The museum is composed of five different galleries. To tell the distinctive and powerful story of the Chaldeans, the galleries hold artifacts both ancient and modern, multimedia presentations, sophisticated hands-on activities. The mission of the Center is to celebrate and explore the extraordinary history, arts, traditions, and contributions of the Chaldean people from ancient times to the present.
The name Chaldean stems from one of the ancient groups that inhabited the land now known as Iraq. In ancient times this area was called Mesopotamia, known as “the cradle of civilization.” Mesopotamians invented the wheel, writing on cuneiform and the irrigation system for agricultural purposes. They observed and described the complex patterns in the motions of the heavens (astronomy), established a calendar which included 12 lunar months, used logic and observation to diagnose and treat illnesses, and many other inventions that are the influences of our modern-day society.
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“The Chaldean Cultural Center is a testament to our heritage,” said Mary Romaya, founding Board of Directors of the Chaldean Cultural Center. “It honors the early pioneers who had the strength and adventure to come to a new world. The Center will let our children, grandchildren, and future generations know their legacy and instill pride in being Chaldean. It will also serve as a means to tell our unique history to the larger, non-Chaldean community. We are an ancient people going back over 5000 years yet we are still a thriving, growing community.”
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The vast majority of the Chaldeans in the U.S. originated from the villages in the Nineveh Plain in northern Iraq. Agriculture was the primary means of making a living with each village having its specialty crops based on soil and climate. Each family had a plot of land outside the village property to grow crops. Extended family members lived together as one household.[image error]
During the past century, many Chaldeans left the villages for better economic opportunities and moved to the cities of Baghdad, Mosul or Basra, or immigrated to the United States. In these larger metropolitan areas within Iraq, the Chaldeans furthered their education and many became successful businessmen and professionals even before coming to the United States. Today there is a Chaldean Diaspora with communities in areas such as the Middle East, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America.
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CHALDEANS TODAY
The Chaldean community in Iraq has gone through a lot in the last few decades, experiencing several wars, Diaspora, and being forced out of their native land. So it’s truly a blessing to have the opportunity to honor their history, culture, religion, and language here in the United States.
Watch this beautiful video about the Chaldean Cultural Center Museum and visit this link for more information https://www.chaldeanculturalcenter.org/
September 9, 2019
Unique Voices in Films
In 2009, Nabil Nona decided to study acting and filmmaking and felt it was one the best decision he had ever made. A year later he wrote, acted in, produced and directed his first short film. Since then he has been producing and directing other shorts, TV commercials, music videos and TV shows. His goal is to keep creating and making meaningful films or shows that entertain the audience but also make them think after watching the film.
Nabil, who’s on the Board of Unique Voices in Films, is a producer and director known for Nightmare (2011), The Summoner and Consequences (2017). Born in Iraq in 1971, he was as a child infatuated with American cartoons, movies, and TV shows. He learned English by listening to American dialogue and reading subtitles in Arabic. Nabil immigrated to the United States in 1994 where he found himself going to theaters to watch the latest movies, analyzing every performance by the actors, cinematographers, and directors. He would wait for the movie to come on DVD to watch it again but with the added bonus of behind-the-scenes footage where it explains how the movie was made and how the actors performed under whatever conditions and still gave their best.
I interviewed Nabil on my TV show (watch the youtube video) and here he tells us a little about himself.
Was there a particular event or time that you recognized you wanted to be a filmmaker?
Since I was a child, I was always interested in films especially how they were made. I would always look for extra footage of the film and see how the director made the film. In 2009 I studied acting, and after that I became more interested in making a film even more than being an actor in a film.
How did you start in film and what keeps you going?
In 2010 I made my very first short film. I wrote, acted, directed and produced a 2 minute slow motion scene followed by a 5 minute second scene 2 weeks later. It was a great experience and from that I decided to explore doing more shorts then music videos and TV commercials.
What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on your work?
I realized that team work is the most important aspect in making a film project. You cannot do everything on your own no matter how talented you are and you will always need the help of other talented people to complete your film project.
Making a film requires a team. How did you discover your team and how do you keep the relationship with them?
When working on different projects, I meant many talented people in the film industry and I formed a solid relationship based on mutual respect. I stay connected with them and would love to work with them on future projects, hopefully.
How do you nurture your filmmaking skills and talents?
I keep myself informed and I try to learn from other filmmakers. I try new things even if I fail at times but I keep trying until something great comes out.
What makes a film great for you?
The story, the performance execution of the cast, the well-directed scenes, and the editing process which includes music and sound design.
What films have been most inspiring and influential to you and why?
The Devil’s Advocate, The Matrix, Good Fellas, The Exorcist, Inception, The Dark Knight, Sleepers, Fight Club, The Mask, Reign of Fire, 300, The Hangover, and many more.
How did your love for movies start and what can be done to help others discover similar pleasure and appreciation for film?
Since my early childhood, I would watch movies on TV. I was fascinated by all of it and I would be hungry for more films to watch, however, I didn’t have the resources we have today. Creative people love movies, because movies are the interpretation of our imagination, and in movies we see that imagination comes to life. The more we imagine the better chance we have into making it into a movie.
What failures have you been able to learn from? How did they change you and your process?
Making a film project without having a budget is extremely difficult, but the good part you learn how to be creative and use whatever resources you can use that are not money.
What is the most important advice you can give a filmmaker starting out?
Do small but completed projects, even if you have the budget for your project, do not start with big long projects where you may not be able to complete or execute them the right way. Start small and bigger as you go, because whether you make a 5 minute film or a 2 hour film, the way you tell your story through the movie is what matters, not the length of the film.
August 1, 2019
A Pranic Healer
A friend of mine was over one day when she raved about a Pranic healer in India who had helped her with some family issues over WhatsApp. I listened with much curiosity. My longtime friend is a very logical person who isn’t easily swayed by non-conventional healing techniques. His name is Dr. Bhoo Prakash Sharma and his accomplishments go from healing coronary heart disease to autoimmune diseases.
After she finished telling me about this healer, whose name is Dr. Bhoo Prakash Sharma, I asked for his phone number. I called him and like my friend, was impressed with his energy work. I asked to interview Dr. Sharma to share with my audience what is Pranic healing and who can benefit from it. The subject matter was so fascinating that I included two 30 minute episodes in this blog that you can watch. Below you’ll find the contact information for Dr. Sharma.
Namou: What is Pranic healing?
Dr. Sharma: Pranic Healing is “no touching” healing therapy. Pranic is a Sanskrit word which means “life force” and in China they call it “Chi.” That’s why they call their martial art “Tai Chi.” In Japan, they call it “Ki” so they call it “Reiki.” Pranic healing can be done at any distance from any country to other countries. In Pranic healing we believe that we can be healed fully, completely, and permanently by God-given sources only. So, here we use three different God-given sources – the Sun, Air, and the Heart – to heal any ailment. Pranic healing can create a balance in four of the most important hormones which are endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and Oxycontin which are responsible from teenage to old age for total health.
Namou: What can Pranic Healing cure?
Dr. Sharma: Pranic healing can cure anything from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual diseases and it can heal businesses, finances, relationships, and anything you can’t even think of. See, in my point of view, if a healer knows how to manipulate this energy, he or she can do miracles.
Namou: How can it heal ailments and diseases with people?
Dr. Sharma: Pranic healing is a divine energy which has various color and subtleties. An experienced advanced pranic healer knows how, where, and from which chakra he has to use as per the type of ailments and diseases. There are many different techniques to use depending on how critical the situation is and how many diseases are involved simultaneously.
Namou: How can it heal businesses?
Dr. Sharma: Businesses are also run by people so, if the person’s goal is not clear or by any circumstances they are not mentally healthy then it creates trouble to run the business. So, with Pranic healing, the negative energies and removed as counseling is given on how one can run their businesses perfectly.
Namou: What are the six main steps to the Pranic healing System?
Dr. Sharma:
Sensitising your hands.
Scanning
General & Localized sweeping
Energizing.
Stabilize
Releasing the energy or cutting the cords
Dr. Sharma’s advice is to “Do everything not for happiness but with happiness.”
You can watch few of his patients video testimonials on YouTube and by visiting his website under Testimonials tab. https://heartthehealer.com/bpsharma.php
July 14, 2019
The Mystery School
Throughout the ages, as the ancient and indigenous cultures were colonized, the teachings for an enlightened and empowered life had to be kept hidden to preserve the teachings’ powerful wisdom. Without this ancient wisdom, much of the world fell prey to strife and confusion. For over a hundred years, necessity has caused the Mystery Schools to emerge, releasing the teachings once again to the public. Today, there are many mystery schools that exist in plain sight. There are Buddhist, Hindu, and even Christian mystery schools. The school that drew me to it was Lynn V. Andrews’ Shaman Mystery School.
I stumbled upon this school in 2011 after reading Lynn’s book, Writing Spirit. Hugely influenced by this book, and because Lynn is an internationally bestselling author of 21 books, I called her up. An author and journalist, I wanted advice on how to move ahead with my writing career. Little did I know then the journey I’d be embarking upon. I had no idea who Lynn was let alone what shamanism meant. Looking back now, I see that was a blessing. Many people get caught up in names and labels and will solely pursue or reject a study based on the definition and popularity, or lack of, rather than what their instinct tells them about it.
Like magic, the Mystery School began transforming my life as a writer, wife and mother. It freed me of so much guilt and self-esteem issues, I ended up writing over a dozen books, which include a four-part memoir series about my experience in the school.
The ancient teachings were not strange to my ears. I come from a tribal nation called the Chaldeans, which are thousands of years old. My people are from Mesopotamia, where once upon a time long ago, similar types of teachings were the norm, causing that society to create incredible inventions such as writing and the wheel. When that land was stripped of those ancient teachings, it became a hell on earth.
On her website, Lynn describes shamanism as the oldest form of healing on Earth. It has been practiced across the globe for at least 50,000 years. She writes, “When you look at shamanic cultures today, you discover people who live with joy and a sense of purpose and knowing in life, people who do not contract the serious stress-born illnesses that we in the modern world do, even though they face a world that is encroaching on them and threatening to take away their very existence. It’s not that they don’t encounter the stresses of the modern world, it’s that their way of knowing life and resolving that stress is very different from ours.”
When Lynn lived in Beverly Hills, a spiritual quest led her to her apprenticeship with Agnes Whistling Elk and Ruby Plenty Chiefs many years ago. At first, she did not know that they were part of a very private ad anonymous gathering of shaman women of high degree from several native cultures around the world – the forty-four women of the Sisterhood of the Shields. Nor did she have any idea that her life was about to change forever, that their work and their teachings would become her life’s work and her soul’s quest for enlightenment and that she would become initiated as a member of the Sisterhood of the Shields and their public face.
Lynn’s initial meeting with Agnes and Ruby came after she attended a La Cienega art exhibit and became obsessed with a photograph of an Indian marriage basket. After repeated dreams about the basket and unsuccessful attempts to track one down, she was led by a chance encounter with a Native American author to the two medicine women.
Lynn spent her first six months in the wilderness with her teachers. She wanted to stay with them, didn’t want to return to Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. But her teachers insisted she returns to the city and write a book about her experience with them. Agnes told her, “You are not Indian. The wilderness does not need you. Where do you think the world needs to be healed but in the cities? It’s very easy to be sacred with the trees and the wind. It’s very difficult to be sacred on the freeways of L.A.”
Lynn returned home and wrote Medicine Woman, the first of a long series that followed. In her books, she shares her travels around the world in the company and care to apprentice with the women of the Shields on four different continents and many, many different countries, from the jungles of the Yucatan to the Australian Outback, Nepal, Panama, the Solala region of Guatemala and the shores of Lake Atitlan, Egypt, the Hawaiian Islands and from the far North of Canada to South America.
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Lynn describes these women as amazing and beautiful, many of them elders in their communities, all of them shaman healers of exceptional skill and personal integrity. “These are women who have survived the ravages of war, rape, the loss of children, the ruination of their countries by clashes between oppressive governments and rebel forces, the hatred visited upon indigenous peoples in so many parts of the world. And they are women who Know.”
To learn more about the Shaman Mystery School or other programs led by Lynn V. Andrews, visit https://lynn-andrews-online-store.myshopify.com/
June 29, 2019
Unique Voices in Literature
Born in 1979 to a Palestinian-Lebanese mother and an Iraqi-German father, Rayyan Al-Shawaf lived in the UAE, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Lebanon, and the US. These days, he makes his home in Malta. Rayyan is a book critic whose reviews and essays have appeared in the Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, the Washington Post, and other publications. He recently traveled to the United States, to visit with friends in Florida and to promote his first novel, When All Else Fails. His protagonist a Chaldean, I was delighted that he stopped at Michigan to be on my show and visit our home where we engaged in the most fascinating conversations about religion, politics, Europe and the Middle East. I’m currently reading his book and enjoying it.
What was the inspiration for When All Else Fails?
The realization, ironic and disheartening, that too often the only way for you to parry discrimination or bullying based on the illogical notion of guilt by association is by playing on its equally spurious flipside, virtue by association! As I mentioned on your show, we’re basically talking about hitching your sorry ass to someone else’s shooting star – and hoping that this serves to burnish your image in the eyes of your tormentors.
How has your background and upbringing influenced your writing career?
Well, I suppose much of my fascination with communal identity and belonging stems from my status as an outsider wherever I go. As for my concern with non-Muslims’ increasingly precarious status in several predominantly Muslim countries, I think it owes much to the liberal and secular household in which I was raised.
How did being a book critic help / hinder your writing?
It helped by making me aware (often, not always) of vague or imprecise formulations as well as excess verbiage, meaning that I might need no prompting to remedy the situation. It may also, however, have restrained any impulse on my part to take off on creative flights.
Why did you choose your main protagonist to be Chaldean rather than other minority groups, such as Assyrians? What type of research went into this process?
Well, let me first tell you why I made him Christian. Hunayn is convinced that, were Iraq free of Saddam’s tyranny, it would come into its own as a democratic and secular country. This, of course, allows me to set him up for disappointment. Hunayn doesn’t seem to realize that the rot goes deeper than Saddam, whose ouster is a good thing in and of itself but is followed by the rise of Muslim supremacist parties and militias. Making Hunayn Christian meant that the upsurge in anti-Christian violence on the part of these groups would strike his very core.
Once I had decided that Hunayn would be Christian, the main reason behind my making him Chaldean had to do with a sociopolitical orientation. My thinking went thus: Hunayn’s affinity for the modern state of Iraq (i.e., not simply the Mesopotamia of a bygone era), as well as his solidarity with Arabs and Muslims who suffer discrimination in post-9/11 America, would both flow forth easily were he Chaldean. After all, Chaldeans (and Syriacs) have had a far less fraught relationship with both the modern Iraqi state and with ethnic Arabs than have Assyrians.
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You emphasize that the novel is not autobiographical. Why do you think so many people assume that the protagonist, Hunayn, is you?
Some of it surely derives from the fact that the story is written in the first person. And, ironically, due to real parallels between Hunayn’s life and mine (for the most part in terms of where we’ve lived and when), people who know me and therefore recognize these limited commonalities may prove more inclined than others to view the story as autobiographical! They might well extrapolate that everything else about Hunayn goes for me, too.
What are you currently working on?
I’m about to begin a second novel, one in which a young Palestinian man whom the Nakba turns into a refugee devises what he considers an ingenious plan in the early 1950s; he will make his way back to his homeland – which is now Israel, and which is blocking the return of Palestinian refugees – via Iraq. Naturally, complications ensue!
Why have you chosen to live in Malta?
Why, because of all the Chaldeans, Syriacs, and Assyrians here, naturally! Just kidding. I took a job almost one year ago as an editor with a startup university keen on righting its course following a rocky start; I’m the in-house editor at the American University of Malta (AUM).
You have an interesting background and lifestyle and multifaceted views. Do you think you’ll one day write a nonfiction book, and if so, what would you like it to be about?
It’d probably be a collection of essays – which would mean that I’d have a devil of a time finding a publisher! The subject would most likely have something to do with the way that, for many of us, historical contextualization is not simply a means to better understand the motivations animating our national or religious forebears, but an instrument by which we redeem those of them who committed actions we would otherwise consider morally questionable.
What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?
Allocate some time to reading outside the fiction genres and nonfiction disciplines that intrigue you – not simply to learn new stuff, but to expose yourself to different writing styles, elements of which you may wish to incorporate into your own material. Also, read fiction from other cultures (whether in the original language or in translation), as well as from various eras.
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
If you’re attempting to create something tightly structured, the elements in question are the musculature of the plot and the sinuousness of its trajectory. If, on the other hand, you’re fashioning a character study (in which case you can opt for an episodic approach when it comes to structure), the emotional arc of your protagonist/s is in my view paramount. In either case, try to leaven the story with humor!
June 23, 2019
Women Who Create
I’m currently working on my second feature documentary, Living Tribal in a Democracy, which features three generations of women in my family and sheds light on our Chaldean lineage which dates back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia. In May, I gave a talk and screened part of this documentary at a film workshop presented by Creative Many at Wayne State University.
After the talk, a woman approached me to tell me that she enjoyed watching the footage and appreciated that I was portraying real-life stories of Middle Easterners, particularly women, since they are often pigeonholed in books, media, and films. The woman’s name was Parisa Ghaderi, and Parisa, it turns out, was doing similar work. Like me, Parisa is an award-winning filmmaker who has dedicated herself to her talents while, along the way, using her influence to help other artists as well.
Parisa was born in 1983 in Tehran, Iran and moved to the United States in 2009. A visual artist, curator, and filmmaker, she earned her BA in Visual Communications from Art & Architecture University in Tehran, Iran, and her MFA in Art and Design from the University of Michigan. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and she is featured in The Huffington Post, The Brooklyn Rail, and many other prestigious magazines. She has made four short films which won awards and were screened in international film festivals in Germany, Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, and California.
Impressed by her work, I invited her on my show. In this half-hour interview, Parisa shares how she’s dispelling misconceptions about her Iranian heritage, what it’s like to be a minority working in her field, her work habits that made her such a success at a young age, and her business tactics which are essential to sustain ourselves in the creative field.
How has your heritage influenced and affected your art and storytelling as a filmmaker? What have been some of the setbacks? Some of the advantages?
I am an Iranian artist who was born and raised after the 1979 Revolution. Being Iranian has certainly influenced my work as an artist. I come from a country with a rich culture and history. I immigrated to the US in 2009 which changed my creative practice as I was introduced to new concepts such as visa regulations, distance, language barrier, and loss. As a result, I started to focus more on personal stories, childhood memories, language complexities, and the emotional distance I experienced as an immigrant. The advantage of being from Iran is that I have access to my Iranian community here so I can hear their stories and relate to their experience, and get inspiration for my work. I made a short documentary about an Iranian couple who were separated because of visa restrictions which was screened at many festivals and won awards. The setback is specifically, for this exhibition, we faced various problems in terms of selling the artworks due to lack of financial transactions and inviting the artists to attend their show because of the hostile political climate between the two countries which resulted in the travel ban and more visa restrictions.
What projects are you currently working on?
Right now I’m working on a series of short films with my other Iranian friends, gathering their stories of immigration. I’m also working on a performance about borders which I have started a few months ago and was able to workshop it with acting students at UofM. I plan to finish these two projects by the end of next year.
What’s your schedule like?
I constantly research and look for grants and funds to support my projects. I read and research about my new projects, reach out to people and ask for feedback. I also teach drawing and photography every week from 2014 to my fellow Iranian friends. This fall, I will be a graphic design assistant professor at MSU which I’m very excited about.
How do you balance your creative and business side?
As an artist, it’s been always a challenge to balance these two, since the financial aspect sometimes restricts your creative plans. I’m aware that having a steady income, especially at the start of your art career will actually help keep you creative and prevent burnout when you don’t have to worry about supporting yourself through your art, and It’s great if you can do both, but usually, I need to prioritize and structure it. For me, the creative side has always been a priority and I keep generating ideas and look for funding to realize them as I also work as a freelance artist to support my practice.
What is “7500 Miles”? How and why was it started? Tell us a little about Mahsa Soroudi, the founder of 7500 Miles.
7500 is a collective which curates and promotes exhibitions to focus on contemporary Iranian artists who are disregarded or unseen due to the absence of fair exposure.
‘7500 Miles’ refers to the distance between California, where Mahsa currently lives, and her hometown Tehran. Mahsa and I graduated from the same college, so our friendship dates back to 2006. Mahsa was working as a docent at Orange County Museum of Art, OCMA, since 2013 and she was frustrated by the image of Middle-eastern women represented in the media as oppressed and weak, overshadowing their potentials and talents. This project was initially started by Mahsa in 2015, and I joined her later when we realized how much we were interested in this idea and shared the same concerns.
The majority of Iranian artists in the diaspora have represented a different image of Iran due to the time they had left the country, 1979-1986. Their imagery is directly influenced by tragic events of revolution and war. But the new generation of artists have found their unique creative way of reflecting on current socio-political tensions. Our goal in 7500 miles is to focus on this younger generation to portray modern Iran in a different way. As artists and curators, we feel highly responsible for creating a more nuanced depiction of a group of Iranian female artists and their distinctive art practice which has developed through their tireless effort, regardless of all the challenges and complications.
“7500 miles” creates a platform to showcase and promote the work by the new generation of women artists in Iran, with the hope to go beyond clichés and what has been shown in media and the art world so far.
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As a curator, how do you specifically choose the artwork that’s submitted?
As curators, we are constantly looking for new artists with a fresh perspective and creative ideas. Since we are both artists ourselves and belong to the same generation of artists we represent, we have access to a wide network of artists inside Iran, who are active and prominent in the art scene. We interview them or have studio visits, and then choose their work based on the theme of the exhibition and how their work speak to each other as a group.
What advice would you give minority women artists who feel they don’t have the support or mentorship to pursue their passion?
If they don’t find the support they need, they should create it, and be the resource for others who seek their help. Forming collective and collaboration with like-minded people and those who share the same concerns, struggles, and passions. They need to reach out to other creatives, never give up and stay positive, because sooner or later it will happen.
If they see the misrepresented and distorted image of their country, they need to stand up and make the change, and not reproduce the misinformation the media projects. They need to keep that passion alive and burning, as a fuel for moving forward and overcoming all the obstacles ahead regardless of their nationality.
To learn more about Parisa Ghaderi, visit http://www.pghaderi.com/
