by SUHAD (SUE) OBEIDI
Growing up Muslim with an interest in the entertainment business, I would often be envious of the Judeo-Christian communities and their impact on others through the medium of television, film and music and I wanted the same for my community. I have always been in awe of how Hollywood recognizes its own during a parade of galas that make up the award season and have also wished that one day Muslims would be recognized for their contributions in Hollywood.
I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, and the three things that were most important to me were my faith, being the best daughter to my parents, and keeping up with the latest movie releases in Hollywood and the industry’s news. In my mind, the first two were consistent with each other, but the last one not so much. To me, the entertainment business was fast and hardcore. I nonetheless wanted in, but didn’t know what that would look like for me. So for the longest time, I remained on the outside, looking in.
“As the years moved on, my desire to work in the industry became more about working behind the scenes to help influence Hollywood to tell more inspiring stories about my faith and its followers.”
I wanted to help more accurately represent our community by promoting greater understanding by and of others. To be “tolerated” wasn’t going to be enough for me. The word tolerance sometimes reminds me of a hospital chart that gauges the level of pain that a patient feels. For Islam and Muslims, I wanted acceptance and respect.
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(Thanks to reader)