As a Black Muslim, where do I fit into the equation? I’ve experienced prejudice from both Jews and Arabs…in many respects Black people are both group’s “untouchables.” Even though it is not directly addressed, you can feel the historical weight of the hostility. In this film the hostility between Jews and Arabs is clear. As human beings we carry so many prejudices, so many biases inside of us. Both characters must find their own path in their respective religions and in their quest to get married. This a constant theme throughout the film. Choosing your own path, finding your own way. In many respects it’s okay for them to “sow their wild oats.” Yes, in the end they may be expected to marry a “good Muslim girl” or a “good Jewish girl” but the onus is not on them in the same way. (A older daughter can affect the youngest daughter’s reputation). Far too often a family’s honor and reputation rests on a daughter’s chastity. I’m thinking about women and the burden cultures and communities place on us. Since I’m a nerd and am so used to taking notes during films (a side effect of grad school) I thought I’d share some of the thoughts I jotted down while watching it: You have to resist the urge to say, “Hey, it’s not like that for me and I’m Muslim !” Or maybe it’s just me who has to fight that urge, lol. You have to take the characters exactly as they are and consider their particular circumstances. They both are teachers at a public school in Brooklyn, both are going through the arranged marriage process and feeling the culture and religious pressures from their families and communities. It’s about an unlikely friendship between Rahel (an Orthodox Jew) and Nasira (a Syrian-descent Muslim). So, I finally checked this film out from the library after bypassing it or forgetting about it for months.
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