Suleiman "Sal" Masoud
This interview is with Suleiman Masoud, an engineer and Palestinian immigrant living in El Paso, TX. Suleiman describes growing up in Palestine and Kuwait with details about his early education and village life. He talks about his decision to come to the States for college and his experience of embracing American culture. He shares details about his family growing up and compares his life as a child to what his children have been able to experience. Suleiman also talks about the power of names when it comes to assimilation and othering.
Barbra O.
This interview is with Barbra O., a master’s student in Milan, Italy who was born in Nigeria and grew up in Texas. She details navigating life as an immigrant child and the experiences that shaped her perception of community and self. She describes cultural connections, such as memories of food and family. Barbra compares her experiences in Texas with her life now in Italy.
Jennifer Kamara
This interview is with Jennifer Kamara, an engineer living in Houston, TX. Jennifer describes the various cultural and religious influences on her life, such as the countries she has lived in, the Christian traditions she has been exposed to, and her marriage. She talks about her relationship with her husband and navigating an inter-religious, intercultural marriage. Jennifer also talks about her activity in supporting diversity in her workplace and gives her perspectives on prejudice and stereotypes.
Chas Moore
This interview is with Chas Moore, founder of the Austin Justice Coalition and anti-racist activist in Austin, TX. Chas shares his story of exposure to deaths and incarceration at a young age and how those traumas shaped his beliefs and drive as an organizer. He talks about being directly exposed to overt racism for the first time in Austin and getting heavily involved in the city’s anti-racism organizing movement. Chas shares how the work of influential Black thinkers and activists as well as his faith have guided his activism. He also discusses challenges like funding, his goals for long-term change, and his hopes for a happier and more peaceful human experience.
Content Warning: The following interview contains sensitive material. Please note that the interview includes discussion of anti-Black racial slurs. These subjects will be discussed at 6:15-7:20 (in the transcript p. 2).
Stephanie Drenka
This interview is with Stephanie Drenka is a writer and non-profit founder living in Dallas, TX. Stephanie talks about her life as a transracial adoptee and her relationship with Korea and the Korean culture of her biological family. She shares her experiences of racism and her involvement in Asian and Korean activism and history spaces. Stephanie also describes the goals of her non-profit organization the Dallas Asian American Historical Society, and what her work looks like and draws inspiration from.
Content Warning: The following interview contains sensitive material. Please note that the interview includes discussion of anti-Asian racial slurs. These subjects will be discussed at [17:12-18:56] (in the transcript p. 6).
Sola Akinola
This interview is with Sola Akinola, a musician and musical instructor in Grand Prairie, TX. Sola talks about his childhood as the son of Nigerian immigrants, describing a sense of alienation from both his peers and his culture. He discusses his interests such as favorite school subjects, stories, games, and musical involvement that led to his current career. Sola shares his experiences of discimination and racism as a Black man and first-generation American, and he describes how these experiences have impacted his relationship with and understanding of the United States. He also talks about the intersection of these aspects of his identity with his neurodivergence.
Moureen Kaki
This interview is with Moureen Kaki, an Palestine solidarity activist with Jewish Voice for Peace in San Antonio, TX. Moureen describes her experiences of seeing the ills of settler-colonialism in Palestine first-hand, and how that direct exposure as a Palestinian-American has catalyzed her work. She talks about the politicization of her identity as a Palestinian, and of Muslim identities as well, and how she has felt uncomfortable sharing her identity and culture with others at different points in her life. Moureen also discusses misconceptions she would like to clear up about Palestinian solidarity and the nature of the conflict.
Saagar Shaikh
This interview is with Saagar Shaikh, an actor living in Los Angeles, CA. Saagar talks about growing up as a Pakistani Muslim in Alief and San Antonio and describes the differences between those communities during his childhood. He describes his career path, including his decision to become an actor and the ups and downs of finding his place in the industry. Saagar goes on to talk about his recent role as Aamir Khan in Disney’s Ms. Marvel series. He shares about a day in the life, favorite scenes and memories, and what the role means to him.
Emmad Mazhari
This interview is with Emmad Mazhari, a software designer and photographer living in Houston, TX. Emmad talks about his childhood in Pakistan and his move and adjustment to the United States. He talks about his relationships to the places he has lived as well as his relationship to his Pakistani Muslim culture. Emmad describes the artistic projects he is planning and working on and shares some of his artistic inspirations.
Avery Wright
This interview is with Avery Wright, a theater educator living in San Marcos, TX. Avery talks about growing up in College Station and living cautiously as a young transgender man. He compares these experiences to his time at Texas State, where he became involved in the student organization Bobcat PRIDE. Avery describes his leadership role in Bobcat PRIDE and the educational and entertainment events that he and the organization hosted.