By Taghreed Saadeh
This is not about seeking sympathy or claiming privacy; it is part of my personal experience, a feeling I find necessary to express and clarify. What does it mean to be Palestinian?
On a personal level, being Palestinian means carrying a profound pride in your heritage and roots, belonging to an Arab nation, both Muslim and Christian. It is the pride of being part of the land where Christianity emerged, a blessed land that carried its message to the world. At the same time, it is the awareness that this land has endured occupation, and that defending it and holding onto it is both a national duty and a moral commitment inseparable from the daily identity of a Palestinian.
On a professional level, working in filmmaking and journalism makes the Palestinian cause a constant focus, as it carries a deeply human dimension. Speaking about freedom, human rights, and what life under occupation truly means is not merely a political Position, it is a commitment to justice. Despite attempts by some to politicize the cause or label such discussions as anti-Semitic, the truth remains clear, we are facing a humanitarian issue, with its people enduring 77 years of oppression, deprivation, and systemic injustice.
Being Palestinian in Canada is a different experience depending on the province or city. In Edmonton specifically, I have noticed over recent years a growing base of solidarity with Palestine, thanks to the efforts of various activists, including Jewish supporters of Palestinian rights, social movements such as the LGBTQ+ community, and the Socialist Party, which has a visible presence in the city. Additionally, there are supporters from the New Democratic Party and the Liberal Party, and even some influence from the Conservative Party, in which Arabs hold a significant presence despite its reputation for strong support of Israel. We will have a detailed article on this topic in the coming days.
Yet, despite this progress, the arts sector remains largely detached from these changes. Over the past two years, during which Palestinians faced massacres, I received no social support from the local arts community, support came instead from outside the city. Every time Palestine is discussed, it is seen as “political,” as if art and media exist outside politics. This gap has led to moments of disappointment, and at times, a feeling of not belonging, despite my deep love for the city.
In side conversations with non-white artists, there is often a quiet frustration with Alberta’s artistic structures. The scene still operates on foundations that favor white communities, and recent policies seem more cosmetic than genuinely transformative. Grants are still distributed under a “white-centered” lens, and topics are chosen according to what is deemed “appropriate” or “acceptable” from this perspective.
A fundamental issue is that mainstream systems acknowledge discrimination mainly toward Indigenous peoples and Black communities, while other forms of bias, including toward Arabs, are largely ignored. I experienced this firsthand with my film I Am a Canadian Arab, which highlights the racism Arabs face, aiming to build a healthier, less discriminatory society.
Yet, many who shared painful experiences with me refused to speak publicly or file complaints, fearing outcomes.
Even some artists of color cancel interviews when asked about the discrimination they face, even if they share these stories in private. Their caution is understandable; I have lived similar experiences and fully grasp the implications of speaking out.
Despite all the challenges and the occasional sense of isolation, and even though being Palestinian makes me “political” in the eyes of some, my role as a filmmaker and journalist demands that I persist in pursuing justice and speaking about these issues so they can be understood and addressed. Edmonton, complex as it is, deserves to see itself honestly and to hear the stories that can help it become fairer and more just. I will continue on this path as long as I can.
Merry Christmas to all, from a daughter of the land of Christ / Palestine, the land from which the Gospel first spread.
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