Whose Identity Will They Steal Next? With Noor Elkhaldi

<p>This week Lara and Michael sit down with Noor Elkhaldi, Palestinian-American fashion model/influencer, and host of the popular podcast Arab-American Psycho. We talk about the success of her podcast, its origins, and the meaningful conversations she's had with Palestinians like her mother, Hawaiian activists, and other people impacted by colonialism. We do a deep dive into Noor's family history learning that she only found out her parents were refugees this year because for a lot of the older generation of Palestinians, talking about their experience is asking them to relive their trauma. We discuss traveling to Palestine as an American citizen and the privileges that affords you over native Palestinians. We chat about the cultural appropriation of food, the beautiful and rich Palestinian food community in New York, and the pompous imposters who try to steal Palestinian cuisine and market it as their own. We cover how the older generation of Palestinians sought further education as a coping mechanism, and as a chance to ensure their success and raise the quality of life for their children. Finally, Noor enlightens us on what it's like being a visibly Muslim woman in fashion, with the perils and the joys included. </p>