Week 4
Monday, July 6th 2:00pm
Monday, July 6th 2:00pm
Can you think of a book that was turned into a film or show and had the plot changed to make it more profitable or palatable?
Is there an instance of “institutional gutlessness” (p. 102) that stands out to you and changed the way you viewed that company or institution? Feel free to share on the Padlet
Chapter 5
El Akkad relays his experiences as a journalist. First, in Guantánamo Bay, having frequently been assigned there for the hearing of Omar Khadir, then a story about a group of Uyghurs. He connects this to his experience with blockbuster films and their socio-political influence- and the broader web of culture and empire. The author also discusses the ICJ case: South Africa charges Israel with genocide.
Chapter 6
Chapter six focuses on literary work, including El Akkad’s own novel American War. He speaks to his and other authors’ experiences with the publication process and public reception, as well as his thoughts on writing as a profession and the act of writing.
Chapter 5:
El Akkad seemingly pleads with the reader to (if they are not already) fight against the theft of your soul. What is your interpretation of this? [p.88]
Following this statement, what are some examples in this chapter of what El Akkad calls “reminders of one's place in the hierarchy". You can also draw from examples from your own experiences.
Chapter 6:
Is there a particular author’s experience in this chapter that stood out to you? What made it stand out?
On page 104 the author writes “But amid the cowardice, there are moments of solidarity” and goes on to say “It all feels so small and yet I hold on to it dearly, all of it, every effort, no matter how symbolic - not only for reasons of basic humanity but more selfish reasons, too. As though with these smallest gestures I can, if not answer, at least keep at bay the question that returns alongside every new wave of unchecked atrocity: What is this work we do? What are we good for?”
Do you find hope in this? Are there small acts of support for Palestine that you have learned about or would like to share? Please add it to the Padlet too.
The author mentions two poems in this chapter: Noor Hindi’s “Fuck Your Lecture on Craft, My People Are Dying” on p. 105 (Link to full poem here) and Marwa Helal’s “poem for Brad who wants me to write about the pyramids” (p.106) - Link to full poem here. Taking a couple of minutes to read both poems, is there something that stands out about them to you? Is there a particular sentence or line you liked?
When reading poetry do you have a particular way you approach it?
Both Chapters:
There is a lot that can be discussed from Chapters 5 & 6, is there something you want to talk about that hasn’t been discussed?
Recognizing we are all on our own learning journey about Palestine, is there a book/work/resource that you want to recommend to the group?