Noted Graphic Artist Malaka Gharib Visits WGSS 2135

On December 9th, nearly 50 students in WGSS 2135 "Gender and Media" met noted author Malaka Gharib to discuss her terrific graphic narrative I Was Their American Dream. The prestigious Kirkus Review named I Was Their American Dream one of the best books of 2019. Gharib is a graphic artist, and deputy editor and digital strategist of Goats and Soda, NPR's global health and development blog. Professor Kavita Daiya interviewed Gharib, who shared that the inspiration for her autobiographical book came after the results of the 2016 US election, when she saw some of the racist, sexist, and xenophobic rhetoric in our public life. I Was Their American Dream is Gharib's story as a child of immigrants from the Philippines and Egypt. Gharib answered questions from the students about the relation between her life as a child growing up in a diverse and vibrant California community, and her art. She discussed how she navigated that history while also introspectively questioning the decisions she made in life, about friendship, love, college, and work. This was a great and inspiring conversation; all the students said a big thank you to Malaka for stopping by and sharing her insights and advice. She signed many books (naturally!), and posed with us for photos.