Sharing Your Identity On Stage

DEARBORN, MI-- On Saturday Dec. 2, 7 people from 7 different walks of life stood on stage at the Arab American National Museum last night, all from different walks of life but with a common message to share to the audience last night. A message about identity, a message about how the public perceives you, and what these 7 people are doing to break the stereotypes that were cast onto them by society. By using their voices what they are doing to help make differences in their community, and to be more visible.

Hikayat: Personal Narratives of Sexuality, Identity & Gender is an event that explores the art, significance and essentials of storytelling and construct their own story by focusing on topics of sexuality, gender, LGBTQ issues, identity, culture, confronting stereotypes and more.

Prior to the storytelling event there was a workshop event held by Sherrine Azab, Azab is a co-director of a Detroit based theatre company called A Host of People, Azab shared methods of storytelling, in how to engage your audience, with an intimate setting of the workshop attendees of the workshop were able to share personal stories, and gain knowledge in sharing their experiences whether it be in front of an audience or just among friends and family.

Following the workshop, there was the storytelling portion of the evening. 7 individuals took the stage to share their stories with the audience last night, in an intimate auditorium setting. Among speakers included, program coordinator of ACCESS Layla Elabed, program director of Affirmations Lilianna Angel Reyes, access coordinator at WC Safe, Sharron Fincher, author and activist Erica Shantel Carter, and writer Yasmine Rukia Badaoui.

Elabed followed Samarrae, a Palestinian woman and advocate she told her story about growing up as 1 of 14 kids in her household, she wanted the same chances to succeed in life that her brothers were presented, she spoke about being a survivor of childhood sexual assault, and being open with her daughters about all aspects of life. Elabed wants women, wants survivors of assault to be visible to know that they aren't alone, and that women should experience the same access to education, and careers that men do. That as long as she is visible in her community she will do her best to help others and make sure their voices are heard.

Two emotionally fueled stories came from both Reyes, and Carter. Trans women took the stage to share their stories of their transition. Both speaking openly on how they told their families of how they were embracing their new identities, both women knowing the stigma that surrounds trans women. Reyes spoke candidly her delivery about the statistics of trans women experiencing the brunt of abuse, and even times death just for existing. Reyes, making a statement saying that she wants to be a role model, she wants to be a visible member of her community.

As long as she exists, that kids who would be going through the same experience as herself can look up to her. Both her and Carter shared a similar message, that there needs to be more conversation involving trans women, that they need a seat at the table and need to be present in more workspaces.

Badaoui concluded the evening with a witty anecdote about her first time experiencing period in Islamic school. She said prior to attending school her parents had not really educated her about her period, and when she experienced it she was a bit confused by the situation, however was thrilled to find out that she could miss prayer because of it at school. The story takes a poignant turn she said when she entered high school and was being taught that as a woman she needed to shrink herself when she was praying, because an instructor told her that women should look small in front of God. Badaoui doesn't believe that women should ever shrink themselves that she wears her identity as a biracial woman proudly, and that she ended her story with this moving quote. "We break stereotypes by being ourselves."

All of these speakers shared the theme of the event last night, that as long as they are out there existing and being themselves, they are capable of breaking down barriers that are put in their place. They will all continue to create these spaces that allow people to express themselves, and allowed themselves to be vulnerable and transparent in an event, with so much vitriol surrounding these marginalized groups in communities their seven voices echoed a sentiment that more people need to take their voices into account.

Image Credit via Miranda Karanfili