Pardee Alumna Uses Poetry to Explore Identity and Social Justice
Samira Jafar, an English language instructor and researcher with a focus on social justice and equitable language acquisition, achieved dual degrees—a BA in English and a BA in International Relations—from Boston University in 2020, graduating cum laude. Following her undergraduate studies, she earned a Master of Education (’21). She is now teaching at Kuwait University and recently released a book of poetry.
Samira Jafar, however, isn’t your typical poet. Her background and global studies education at Pardee have fueled a unique creative voice that explores the complexities of identity, social justice, and the human cost of global events. Jafar’s poems weave together personal experiences with a critical look at the world around her. Through her writing, she confronts stereotypes, bridges cultural divides, and sheds light on the urgent issues facing our world.
Jafar’s poetry is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from her family history and her experiences as an Arab woman. She confronts stereotypes and explores the complexities of identity through her writing.
“Majoring in IR at BU meant confronting difficult and troubling stereotypes about Islam and Arabs through intense discussions and analyses,” Jafar says, “and really taking pride in my Arabness.”
Jafar’s poems are not just personal; they are a bridge to understanding complex global issues.
“I think poetry brings complex political issues and boils them down to show that they’re not as complex as we might think they are,” she explains. “I write about human suffering so that people understand the severity and seriousness and realness of death as a product of politics.”
Jafar believes that poetry can be a tool for empathy and understanding.
“While I’m not naive enough to believe that it can solve all global crises or end wars, I really do think that reading about human suffering on a personal level or seeing the value in a culture that’s different from your own is really important when it comes to feeling empathy for others,” she says.
Please read on for our full interview with Samira Jafar, where she offers deeper insights into her journey as a poet, reflects on her experiences at Pardee, and shares her aspirations for the future.
How has your study of global issues impacted your poetry? Do you explore themes of cultural exchange, social justice, or political realities?
While I first started writing as an outlet to deal with relationships and events in my life, I realized how much relief writing brought me when it came to grappling with my identity and confronting global issues. I always considered myself a third culture kid because my mother is ethnically Palestinian and my father is ethnically Lebanese, but I am Kuwaiti. I went to an American school and was surrounded by people from all around the world at a really young age but felt so out of place when I first moved to the US to attend BU. I had this melancholic confusion because I felt like I was too Americanized my whole life, but then felt like I wasn’t nearly American enough. Majoring in IR at BU meant confronting difficult and troubling stereotypes about Islam and Arabs through intense discussions and analyses and really taking pride in my Arabness. My poetry started to reflect on this discovery of my identity and then on different political events that directly impacted my people, specifically war and genocide. Poetry has been an outlet through which I can express so many different emotions about global events, from distress to anger to guilt. I know how privileged I am to be able to express my emotions through poetry as a means of dealing with difficult things, and I feel like I need to use that to shed light on those who are silenced.
Did any specific region or culture you studied in your program particularly inspire your writing?
A lot of my writing is centered around life as an Arab woman and all of the unique experiences that come with that, from childhood to adulthood. I’m really inspired by my own family history and on a more general level, Kuwaiti history. I love the level of connectedness throughout the Arab and Muslim world and how cultures and identities can weave together, and I love to touch on that in my writing because I feel like it’s so true to what makes me who I am. I feel inspired just by walking or driving around Kuwait, specifically when I get to observe people or just watch Kuwaiti culture in action.
Do you see poetry as a way to communicate complex global issues in a more accessible way?
I definitely think so. I think poetry brings complex political issues and boils them down to show that they’re not as complex as we might think they are. Though it’s not always easy, I write about human suffering so that people understand the severity and seriousness and realness of death as a product of politics. We need to remember that these are people – mostly children – with hopes and dreams and futures that are taken away because of power struggles and colonization.
How do you use language and imagery in your poems to evoke a sense of place or cultural identity?
I feel like language and cultural identity always go hand in hand, and there are words and phrases that just carry so much more meaning when they’re written in Arabic. Mixing Arabic and English in my poetry is one way of delving into the complexities of identity and self and just expressing how beautiful Arabic is as a language. These can be individual lines or even a line that uses both Arabic and English words, which is a bit more difficult to do successfully. In terms of imagery, I like to start with something small or tangible and build on it, like a picture of my grandmother in a frame or the quotidian experience of going to a corner shop (we call them baqalas) in Kuwait. Although these things are so familiar, they say so much about Arab identity and cultural themes.
Have you explored translating your poems into other languages, or incorporating multilingual elements?
While I do mix Arabic and English in my poetry, especially when I’m reflecting on cultural or political ideas, my Arabic is not proficient enough for a full poem (though I really hope that one day it will be). It’s definitely something that I want to experiment with more.
Do you believe poetry can be a tool for promoting empathy and understanding between different cultures?
To me, poetry is all about empathy and vulnerability in different contexts. Poetry is a really good way to communicate a universal experience and what it really means to be human, and it’s more powerful than some people might think. While I’m not naive enough to believe that it can solve all global crises or end wars, I really do think that reading about human suffering on a personal level or seeing the value in a culture that’s different from your own is really important when it comes to feeling empathy for others. At the end of the day, we’re all human, and every human being has a right to freedom and happiness and peace.
Looking ahead, how do you see your background in global studies shaping your future as a poet?
I definitely want to continue writing about cultural and political issues in the Middle East not only as an outlet for my own sadness, but also to be a voice to those who have been disenfranchised by war. As long as the war in Gaza is ongoing, I want to continue writing about human casualties and the Palestinian identity.
I also want to step out of my comfort zone and let more of the world influence my writing. I’m fascinated by learning about new cultures and meeting new people, and I feel like working that into my poetry makes it more robust and dynamic. I’m moving to Paris for a month in the summer for a writing workshop at the American University of Paris, and I’m going to use that as my next experience to continue workshopping my poetry and novel and get new cultural and artistic insight.
Are there any poets who inspire you?
With my more personal work, I love the confessional poetry styles of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath. They have had a huge influence on my writing. In terms of cultural and political reflection, I am inspired by Palestinian poets like Ghassan Kanafani. Some newer Palestinian poets are also amazing and incredibly talented, like Mosab Abu Taher. On a day-to-day basis, I have a lot of friends who are writers who inspire me just by sharing their work with me and pushing me out of my comfort zone with my writing. Kuwait has an amazing up-and-coming art and writing scene that is definitely reflective of our dynamic culture.
Reflecting on your time as a Pardee student, how has your education influenced your career path and personal growth since graduating?
Being a student at Pardee taught me life-long, valuable skills that I carry into my professional career teaching English at Kuwait University. I really believe that BU’s faculty and curriculum gave me a sense of confidence and passion for research that helped me succeed in academia. I’m still in touch with faculty members from BU who I collaborate with on different research projects, those connections are part of what made my BU experience so rewarding.
Can you share any particular experiences or lessons from your time at Pardee that have stayed with you throughout your professional journey?
I remember that when I first got to BU, I was really challenged by the difficult material in some of my classes. I was used to being an A student my entire life, and I realized it took more work to achieve that at BU. It taught me a really valuable lesson about perseverance and never giving up, which was really rewarding in the long run. I also had really helpful and understanding classmates and professors who made the experience less daunting.
What was your transition like from student life at BU to the professional world or further academic pursuits?
After I graduated from Pardee and CAS with a dual degree in English and International Relations, applying to Wheelock for a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages was a seamless process that helped me get into the world of teaching. After I graduated from Wheelock and moved back to Kuwait, I was able to get my first teaching job, which was also a pretty smooth transition for me. Because BU really emphasizes and values research experience, which is really important for jobs in academia, I thankfully felt really prepared to start teaching. Being at Wheelock and student teaching at CELOP also gave me a lot of hands-on experience that I benefited from.
As an alumna, how do you stay connected with the Pardee School community and continue to engage with global issues?
I think it’s really important to keep in touch with faculty from Pardee, especially because I work in academia and always get valuable insight when I collaborate with BU professors on research projects. Additionally, I really liked my BU professors on a personal level and like to check in on them because being at BU gives you a really strong sense of community that you’re always a part of, even after graduation. I attend some roundtable discussions and webinars remotely on Zoom; it’s really great that Pardee gives alumni that option. Pardee invites some really engaging speakers to participate in these as well.
If you could go back and relive one day from your time at Pardee, what day would it be and why?
At the time I hated the study sessions I would have with my friends that would last until four in the morning, but looking back, I feel like I took that time for granted knowing that it probably will never happen again. It would be so interesting to live that experience again knowing how bittersweet it would feel after graduation.
If you could sum up your experience at Pardee in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?
“Engaging,” because I was learning something new and challenging myself every day in ways that paid off academically, personally, and professionally.
Tell us something fun about you!
My guilty pleasure is reality TV, specifically The Bachelor.
Jafar’s journey as a poet is far from over. With her upcoming trip to Paris and her dedication to learning and social justice, her work promises to continue to evolve and inspire. For those who want to delve deeper into Jafar’s world, her book is available on Kindle and as a paperback through Amazon. Her book can also be purchased via her website. Jafar hopes to publish another book of poetry soon and has been working on a novel for the past year.