Isabella Hammad : Recognizing the Stranger : On Palestine and Narrative
Sep 24, 2024
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Isabella Hammad, an author renowned for her exploration of narratives and their political implications, discusses her transformative speech, "Recognizing the Stranger." She delves into the complex intersections of aesthetics and ethics within storytelling, particularly concerning Palestinian experiences. Hammad reflects on her personal turning point and the urgency of literature in articulating collective struggles. The conversation also addresses the emotional weight of conflict, the necessity for empathy, and the role of writers in fostering understanding amidst systemic injustice.
Isabella Hammad's speech, 'Recognizing the Stranger,' intertwines aesthetics and ethics, portraying the complexity of Palestinian narratives.
The podcast discusses the poignant transformation of Hammad's perspective on Palestinian identity following significant geopolitical events in Gaza.
Hammad emphasizes the dual power of language: it can mobilize empathy or perpetuate oppression, highlighting writers' moral responsibilities.
The conversation advocates for collective action over individual recognition in liberation movements, underscoring the importance of solidarity in struggles for justice.
Deep dives
Morning Writing Club Overview
The Morning Writing Club aims to enhance creativity and productivity for writers of all levels, offering a supportive community and structured resources to establish a consistent writing routine. Founded by author Chelsea Hodson, the club includes access to daily Zoom sessions focused on accountability, along with bi-monthly Q&As with industry professionals like literary agents and published authors. Members can explore two years of archived materials, including craft essays written by Hodson, at a subscription cost of $9 per month. This initiative fosters a nurturing environment for writers to develop their skills and achieve their writing goals.
Literary Event Challenges
The podcast touches on a controversial literary event in New York City involving Jewish Currents where a planned conversation almost faced cancellation due to logistical issues. Despite a year of preparation, Brooklyn College canceled the venue booking, citing safety concerns while allowing other events to continue. This cancellation drew criticism and commentary from writer Masha Gessen, highlighting the ongoing complexities and tensions surrounding discussions of Jewish and Palestinian identities. The incident underscores the difficulties organizers face in creating spaces for honest dialogue about contentious political issues.
Recognition and Epiphanies in Literature
The conversation explores the philosophical underpinnings of narrative structure, specifically focusing on moments of recognition in literature that define character development and plot progression. Isabella Hamad articulates the tension between personal narratives and broader historical events, reflecting on how these recognition scenes can illuminate deeper truths about identity and belonging. She highlights the implications of a literary pivot in recognizing that turning points often reveal a complex web of connections and contradictions within personal and collective experiences. This contemplation becomes especially significant in reflecting on Palestinian identity and its nuanced relationships within the narrative framework.
Contemporary Palestinian Perspectives
Hamad's recent work captures the evolution of her personal viewpoint on Palestinians and the ongoing geopolitical struggle, particularly after significant events in Gaza. The podcast touches on her reflections following October 7th, where she felt compelled to write an afterward to her book, introducing a new layer of urgency and context to her initial narrative. This addition articulates the complex nature of change and recognition within both her work and in the broader societal context, striving to maintain an ethical reflection on the plight of Palestinians. Such continuous evolution of thought demonstrates the fluid nature of identity and the poignant yearning for justice amid significant adversity.
Language and Its Political Implications
A discussion arises about the limitations and potential of language in articulating political realities, especially concerning the Palestinian plight. Hamad emphasizes that while language can mobilize opinion and evoke empathy, it can also serve as a mechanism for oppression when employed by dominant narratives that dehumanize. She reflects on instances where the media has skewed language to shape public perception in favor of an unjust status quo. This examination lays bare the moral responsibility of writers and artists to wield language thoughtfully and with an awareness of its repercussions on societal narratives.
Collective vs. Individual Actions
The conversation highlights the critical distinction between individual recognition and collective action within liberation movements, particularly in the context of Palestinian struggles. Hamad underscores the power of united efforts over singular interactions, advocating for solidarity that transcends personal narratives. This collective approach aligns with broader movements like the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which seeks to address the systemic injustices faced by Palestinians. Asserting the importance of solidarity, she encourages individuals to sacrifice personal interests for the sake of the collective liberation struggle.
The Role of Literature in Political Discourse
Hamad and her interlocutor delve into the interaction between literature and politics, examining how storytelling can serve as a powerful vehicle for political engagement. They discuss the tension surrounding the perception of politically committed literature, especially in light of historically dominant narratives that downplay the intersection of art and activism. This dynamic raises vital questions about the role of the writer in society and the potential impact of their work on social awareness and change. Ultimately, both agree that literature can be a profound force for good when it reflects and interrogates the political realities of its time.
Today’s conversation with Isabella Hammad is truly like no other on the show in its fourteen year history. The main text of her book is the speech she delivered for the Edward Said Memorial Lecture in September of 2023. A remarkable speech called “Recognizing the Stranger” which looks at the middle of narratives, at turning points, recognition scenes and epiphanies; which explores the intersection of aesthetics and ethics, words and actions, and the role of the writer in the political sphere; and which complicates the relationship between self and other, the familiar and the stranger. It does all of this in the spirit of Said’s humanistic vision, reaching for narrative forms that can best reflect Palestinian lived experiences. Hammad delivered this speech, however, nine days before October 7th. The response of Israel, and the West at large, prompted her to write an afterword, an afterword that is a third of the book entire. Hammad herself had had her own turning point, her own recognition scene, where the terms of her own analysis had irrevocably changed. The afterword reflects this change, sitting at a right angle to the speech itself. The book as a whole captures this turning point within a writer in real time, preserving the gap between two selves, and we explore both on their own terms.
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, consider joining the Between the Covers community as a listener-supporter. One possible supporter benefit to choose from is access to the bonus audio archive. Isabella Hammad has contributed an extended reading from writer and political prisoner Walid Daqqa’s letter “Parallel Time.” This letter hasn’t been published in English but it was, in 2014, adapted to the stage in Haifa under the same name. The Israeli culture ministry, in response, defunded the theater. To learn how to subscribe to the bonus audio, and about the many other possible rewards to choose from, head over to the show’s Patreon page.
