Growing Up as Edward Said’s Daughter: Najla Said on Palestinian Identity and Activism at Columbia

Rania Khalek Dispatches

Najla Said joins Dispatches to talk about Palestine, identity, and the challenges of growing up Arab and American in a country that doesn’t always make space for that kind of hyphenated identity.

Najla is an actor and writer who’s used storytelling to explore themes of belonging, displacement, and resistance. She’s also the daughter of Edward Said, one of the most influential intellectuals of our time, whose work and teachings at Columbia University continue to shape how we understand colonialism, culture, and Palestine. But Najla isn’t just carrying on a legacy; she’s carved her own path, speaking with honesty, humor, and heart.

In this episode, Najla and Rania Khalek discuss:

• What it was like growing up as Edward Said’s daughter while trying to fit into a culture that loves Israel and prioritizes its supporters over the trauma of Palestinians.
• Watching the crackdown on pro-Palestine students at Columbia, a place that felt like home to her family for so many years.
• Navigating the entertainment industry, which is often hostile to Arab and Palestinian voices.
• How the genocide in Gaza has reshaped her view of the world, this country, and what’s possible for the future.

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