Edward Said Multicultural Lounge
History and Namesake
“I have been unable to live an uncommitted or suspended life. I have not hesitated to declare my affiliation with an extremely unpopular cause.”
Established:
Renovated:
Edward Said
Edward Said was a Palestinian American literary theorist, cultural critic and political activist. Born on November 1, 1935, in Jerusalem, Said’s life was profoundly shaped by the tumultuous political events in the Middle East, including the British Mandate of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. Amid the war, Said was sent to live in the United States where he found his passion in academia and Palestinian advocacy.
Said’s academic career was distinguished by his influential contributions to postcolonial theory and his critique of Orientalism – the Western study and representation of the Middle East. Beyond his academic pursuits, Edward Said was a passionate advocate for Palestinian rights. His advocacy efforts challenged oppressive power structures and aimed to bridge the gap between academia and activism.
In 2015, this multicultural lounge was created to honor the life of Edward Said as a renowned literary theorist and Palestinian advocate. Said passed away in 2003, leaving behind a lasting legacy. This multicultural lounge celebrates Said’s legacy of fostering understanding, building intellectual bridges and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly Arab and Arab American communities.
Student and University of Michigan Involvement
The creation of the Multicultural Lounge Program would not have been possible without the advocacy, collaboration and dedication of students. In the late 1960s, Black and African American students at the University of Michigan organized what became the first wave of the Black Action Movement (BAM-I). BAM-I was a coalition of students, staff, and faculty; from their advocacy, the first multicultural lounge was formed in 1971. In the decades following, additional multicultural lounges were formed, most dedicated to Black and African American communities.
Students recognized that there were no spaces on campus that had been named after an individual of Arab descent. Student organizations such as the Arab Student Association (ASA) and Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) sought to change this. The founding of the Edward Said Multicultural Lounge was made possible in part by students in ASA and SAFE, which are two legacy organizations to the multicultural lounge. These student organizations not only played a significant role in the establishment of the multicultural lounge but also contributed to the renovation of the Edward Said Multicultural Lounge in 2022.
Legacy Organizations
Michigan Housing Legacy student organizations are vital to the creation and enduring legacy of the multicultural lounges. Students in these organizations participated in the advocacy, establishment, and sustainability of this program. The founding of the Edward Said Multicultural Lounge was made possible from the advocacy of students in two legacy organizations: the Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) and the Arab Student Association (ASA).
Arab Student Association
Mission
The Arab Student Association (ASA) serves to unite and uplift the Arab community on campus by organizing educational workshops, hosting cultural events, and establishing professional development opportunities. ASA aims to foster a community for all Arabs, creating a space for students to feel welcome and represented regardless of their nationality, race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. ASA strives to cultivate a multifaceted representation of the Arab narrative on campus while empowering its members to take pride in their own unique identities.
Students Allied for Freedom and Equality
Mission
Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) is a Palestinian solidarity organization and the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor. SAFE is comprised of a coalition of diverse members dedicated to advancing the causes of freedom, justice, human rights, and equality for all peoples. This is consistent with our fundamental belief that all genuine struggles for justice and liberation are intrinsically connected.