(Published in SB Indie Feb 15, 2007, as part of a larger story on Women's Lit Festival .)
Dima Hilal
When WLF organizers invited Dima Hilal to speak at this year’s festival, she agreed immediately. Aside from wanting to support a festival that gives voice to female writers, she likes to work toward a deadline. “I operate a little better under pressure,” she said. “It keeps me creative, keeps me writing.” Motivation to write is especially important for the Dana Point resident, who has a full-time day job doing marketing for a medical device company. It would be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of work, but the 30-year-old knows it’s important to nurture the poetry that’s always at the center of her life. Hilal’s writing often focuses on her experience as a Beirut-born Arab American, such as last year’s libretto Raheel, and is commonly the voice for marginalized peoples.
In what way are you an activist?
Poetry in general can be a form of activism. It’s giving voice to people who aren’t often heard or who are more invisible. If through my work I can humanize that aspect of my life or my people, in that sense I think my poetry is a form of activism.
Is that why you consider writing about your culture political?
Yes. For example, when people think of an Arab man, it’s going to be a frightening image for a lot of people. They never see the Arab doctor who cares about his family. But I grew up with such loving male figures in my life, between my uncles and my father. So writing a poem in homage to my father, for example, becomes political because it’s humanizing.
What about women writers? Do you think they’re still undervalued? Is there still a need for a festival exclusively for female writers?
Obviously, we’ve come such a tremendous way as women, but there are areas — from literature to business to politics — that are still very male-dominated. Women don’t have their own place to speak and be heard. It’s important to give a voice to people who are sometimes not given a forum to speak.
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