#102 Poetry and Grief in Times of Genocide: Jess Semaan

In this SAND Community Gathering (September 2024) Zaya and Maurizio sat down with Jess Semaan, poet, psychotherapist and facilitator to explore the intersection of poetry and grief in the context of genocide. They drew from her research on genocide, as well as her personal and professional experiences, Jess tended to our psycho-spiritual profound sorrow and loss in this time.

By giving voice to the unspeakable and providing a means of bearing witness to the stories of those impacted by the trauma of large-scale atrocities, we are making space for individual and collective healing.

Poetry helps us navigate the complex terrain of grief, injustice, and human suffering. Come and honor the resilience of communities that have endured such immense trauma.

Jess Semaan is a queer Lebanese poet, psychotherapist, group facilitator and speaker. She researches, writes and speaks on subjects of healing from complex trauma, immigration, war and belonging.  Her first poetry book Child of the Moon was published by Andrews McMeel and sold over 14,000 copies. Her second book Your Therapist is Depressed Too came out in December 2023. She immigrated to the United States from Beirut.

She has an MBA from Stanford and an M.A. in counseling Psychology from CIIS.

She identifies as SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa), with grandparents from Syria, Palestine and Mount Lebanon and resides on Ohlone land (Oakland, California), with her partner Berk and their two cats.

Topics:

• 00:00 – Introduction and Greetings
• 00:43 – Special Guest: Jess Semaan
• 00:56 – Reflecting on Recent Screenings
• 02:12 – Jess Semaan's Background and Work
• 03:03 – Poetry Reading: Let Gaza In
• 06:26 – Technical Difficulties and Reflections
• 07:56 – Discussing Genocide and Dehumanization
• 09:05 – Personal Journey and Psychological Insights
• 11:11 – The Complexity of Beirut
• 12:59 – The Psychological Impact of Diaspora
• 15:51 – Research on Genocide and Human Cruelty
• 26:46 – Poetry Reading: Is it a Massacre if it's a Palestinian?
• 28:51 – Healing Workshop and Collective Trauma
• 30:13 – Understanding My Mother's Trauma
• 31:51 – The Collective and Individual Psyche
• 34:07 – Critical Thinking and Cultural Differences
• 36:04 – The Role of Bystanders in Conflict
• 43:24 – Grieving Amidst Ongoing Conflict
• 51:29 – Poetry of Resistance and Grief
• 57:31 – Closing Reflections

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