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Pax Assadi on Raised by Refugees!

May 18, 2025 / 00:50

This episode discusses identity, cultural challenges, and personal experiences related to being Middle Eastern in America, particularly after 9/11. The conversation includes reflections on childhood, cultural misunderstandings, and family dynamics.

The guest shares memories of feeling out of place at school and the impact of 9/11 on perceptions of Middle Eastern individuals. They recount experiences of pretending to fit in with Tongan peers while grappling with their own identity.

Humorous anecdotes about family interactions, such as a mother announcing her son in public, highlight the cultural differences faced by the guest. The narrative illustrates the complexities of navigating multiple identities in a post-9/11 world.

TL;DR

A guest shares experiences of cultural identity and challenges as a Middle Eastern American post-9/11.

Video

00:00:00
Oh, what smells like curry? It must be
00:00:01
packs. And I was like, do I really
00:00:04
rocked me for the rest of the day? I
00:00:06
remember going to school and not
00:00:07
understanding anyone and being like,
00:00:09
what is going on? But I was born here.
00:00:10
And I remember that thought. I remember
00:00:12
that thought going like, what am I
00:00:14
supposed to do? 9/11 happened. Being
00:00:17
Middle Eastern of any kind was like
00:00:18
really bad. In real life, it was 3 years
00:00:21
of pretending to be tongen. There were
00:00:22
definitely moments where the other
00:00:24
tongans were like, "Are we sure he's
00:00:25
talking?" Like when we play like a game
00:00:27
of league and like they pass me the ball
00:00:29
and like I don't know what like I'm like
00:00:31
running around in a circle. My mom will
00:00:33
just walk into stores and just announce
00:00:36
does anyone know society and you're like
00:00:39
what are you doing? And she's like here
00:00:42
he is. This is my son. Are you proud of
00:00:45
yourself? Am I proud?
00:00:48
[Music]

Episode Highlights

  • Navigating Identity
    Struggling with cultural identity after 9/11 and the challenges of fitting in.
    “Being Middle Eastern of any kind was like really bad.”
    @ 00m 17s
    May 18, 2025
  • Mom's Boldness
    A humorous moment where the speaker's mom introduces him in an unexpected way.
    “My mom will just walk into stores and just announce, 'Does anyone know society?'”
    @ 00m 33s
    May 18, 2025

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Cultural Confusion00:07
  • Identity Crisis00:14
  • Mom's Introduction00:33

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