Significance

I chose to create a blog about Mohja Kahf because she writes in a honest matter. I was introduced to her work in a class I was taking. A required reading was Kahf's "My Grandmother Washes her Feet in the Sink of the Bathroom at Sears". While reading this, I felt Kahf's sincerity about the situation. She explained how people stared at her grandmother, and she kind of just sat back, because this was just her grandmother practicing prayer. It was nothing strange to her, but Kahf felt some insecurity in her culture because her double identity of being Syrian and American. Her honest reaction and feelings for her grandmother are what really stuck with me. This honesty is evident in all of her works. Another example would be in her poem entitled "Hijab Scene #7" where Kahf responds to many Americans' assumptions and stereotypes. She clearly is offended by the media and social portrayals of Muslims in the West, and she reacts in such a sarcastic, brutal way. She writes, "Yes, I carry explosives. They're called words. And if you don't get up off your assumptions, they're going to blow you away". This is obviously a reaction to terrorist stereotypes in the West, but I love how Kahf turns it around and goes along with it, and then attacks with her sense of dignity.

I really appreciate this, especially in a writer. I believe that the general audience would appreciate such bluntness as well. It is refreshing to read honest words.