Books are my ADVIL

Text: “Syria” by Amal Alkassir

 

Plot description: Alkassir examines serious issues in her poem specific to people who are suffering in different wars and specifically the current war in Syria. Her poem lifts the spirit of those who are struggling by mentioning the freedom fighters’ lack of submissiveness to tyrants and greed.

 

Theme description:  Themes that run through Alkassir’s poem are steadfastness, standing for what is right, and continuing to speak out against wrongdoing, violence, and hatred. Those who read the poem will cringe at the vivid descriptions of torture and yet soften as Alkassir describes Syria and the will of its people. The poem inspires hope of a peaceful future when rebuilding of homes and lives can begin.

 

Reason for appropriateness: This poem relates to my students because the poet herself is a young Muslim girl from Denver, and the topics she writes about are relevant to Muslim families. The revolution in Syria and its resulting humanitarian crisis is one that directly affects some of my students who have families living in Syria, and is important to other students who are concerned with the status of Muslims living around the world. This poem in particular helps students to understand one particular humanitarian crisis while opening a view to many other world crises. Through the lens of postcolonialism, students can understand some of the history of the Fertile Crescent and discuss the fighting spirit that should not be quieted in the face of tyranny.  They should discuss such issues as why the people don’t simply give up, why the revolution began in the first place, and how peoples throughout the world usually don’t resort to rebellion unless their rights have been usurped.

 

Link to critical articles: http://www.westword.com/news/amal-kassir-uses-words-to-fight-for-her-countries-5122060

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/poetry/art-blog-syrian-american-activist-amal-kassir-uses-slam-poetry-to-fuel-her-cause/