Working while Arab

The Arab American News has an interesting profile on Egyptian-American TV director Asaad Kelada, who has undoubtedly left an imprint on the lives of many in America and around the world.

What stood out to me what that this was a man involved in the arts. While speaking with Belly's publicist before interviewing him, she remarked to me that it was hard to find an Arab-centric publication or outlet that wasn't mired in all things political. I know that once, at an event at the Egyptian embassy while I was still undergrad, when I was asked what my major was and I replied "Music Business, Writing and Race and Ethnic studies..." my father chimed in "but then she will get a MBA and then she will go to law school..." Really? News to me! The person with whom we were speaking said "Well, she should do law school if she wants to, but the world needs music, too."

Arabs have produced some of the greatest writers and some of the most frequently emulated music of all time, so why is it that so many of us are pushed to go into careers that are thought of as traditionally respectable? The doctor/teacher/lawyer/banker model of success, if you will. Given that Arabs sometimes seem to have disappeared from the arts, it was nice to read about somebody who veered from the norm and delved into my beloved entertainment industry. Make sure you check it out.