Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! Val Kilmer’s 2021 documentary directed and produced by Leo Scott and Ting Poo fuses 1000s of hours of personal footage—videotapes and film reels—into an almost 2-hour film. In the first scene, Val is wearing a button-down shirt sharpied with the quote, “Islam means surrender.” Actor Val Kilmer […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! By Tamara MC Dr. Tamara MC is an Applied Linguist and Middle Eastern Studies scholar. She researches and writes about women and spirituality, specifically her hybrid identity of growing up simultaneously Jewish and Muslim on a Sufi commune in Texas. She attended Columbia University for an MFA in both […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! I’ve long felt shame that I knew much more about my Muslim heritage than my Jewish side, but this year, I’m diving in. I don’t know how to read or write Hebrew. I haven’t memorized a single prayer. I am illiterate regarding Judaism, yet I’m Jewish — a truth I […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! I told you I would name a poem After you As we did laps around the Safeway Shopping plaza Passing the Dollar Store Passing KonaBerry Frozen Yogurt, The Irish Pub You made references About the poems I could write About us on this night Walgreens was closed […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! I. I am opportunistic. I have eight legs, a grasping claw, and a segmented tail. My back curves. I come out at night to hunt. I bury in the undersides of rocks and in sand. I don’t peek my head forth until I see an enemy approaching. […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! Time Would have died to be a ballerina Schedules Pima Community College classes for son who will be 18 soon Wears green and black striped socks Helicopters hover overhead (even on Wednesday nights) Eats first Whataburger hamburger Meets a Bangladeshi boy Considers law school Gets super fat […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! Menstruation My missing menses— Years… Friends we were. Years… she then disappeared. Years… Missing my menses— Link to original article
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! Tamara MC—Poetry I’m nobody, who are you?— Emily Dickinson Diss-HER-tation speaking: I am a collage. I am a woven fabric. I am past. I am present. I am future. I am a scrapbook. I am a note. I am a list. I am an altar. * I repeat […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! IThe inside out Changing personOther voicesComfortable knowingThis discussion doesn’t end but continuesthroughout writingInterwoven like the knitted “Habiba” sweater woven by Nargis in 1985. Marginalized no moreWriting, an action, a rebellion against those with the power saying to you, “I am free”My words are no longer hidden. They […]
Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! I am: Curing I am: Being brined in salt I am: Marinating in ginger I am: Roasting with peppers I am: Baking in an oven my mother gave me when I married I am: Toasting I will: Make myself toastier for you Do you: Want me with […]