 | We Are Iraqis: Aesthetics and Politics in a Time of War While the occupation of Iraq and its aftermath has received media and political attention, we know very little about the everyday lives of Iraqis. Iraqi men, women, and children are not merely passive victims of violence, vulnerable recipients of repressive regimes, or bystanders of their country's destruction. In the face of danger and trauma, Iraqis continue to cope, preparing food, sending their children to school, socializing, telling jokes, and dreaming of a better future. Within the realm of imagination and creative expression, the editors find that many Iraqi artists have not only survived but have also sought healing. Nadje Al-Ali is professor of gender studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Deborah Al-Najjar is Ph.D. candidate in the Department of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. |
