peOple OpiniOn
One of a kind Lebanese Football
TRIBUNE
page 3 page 5 page 6 page 9 The Official STudenT newSpaper aT The lebaneSe american univerSTy
TribuneLAU@gmail.com
Meager Evaluations
By Mayya Al-Ogaily
It was his first year as a lecturer at LAU. Eager to show the chair of the department that he performed well and students liked him, the young man looked forward to class evaluations. Finally, the dean of arts and sciences sent him an email with the results. He opened the folder, his heart pounding, only to find that none of his 12 students filled in the evaluations. By the end of each academic semester, LAU sends out emails to all students, asking them to submit an evaluation of the courses they took and the instructors who taught them. Although they may vary from one department to another, evaluation forms usually include around 10 questions about the instructors performance and another two evaluating about the course itself. Room for qualitative comments is also available. Asked to fill such optional surveys for at least three or four classes, most students dont take evaluations seriously and fail to send helpful feedback, if any. Most are not aware that these surveys can make or break an instructor. Evaluations play a role in the promotion of full-time professors and help department chairs decide whether they should keep part-time instructors or release them. A survey by the LAU Tribune revealed that 86 percent of students interviewed dont fill in the evaluations. Students who do either ex-
press their absolute admiration to a specific course and its instructor or vent out their frustration. None of the people surveyed believed that student feedback makes a difference in the eyes of the administration. Most instructors are aware of this problem and think the way evaluations are administered should be changed. Abdullah Sfeir is LAUs provost. He oversees curriculum development and other teaching, instructional, and research-related affairs across the university. According to him, LAU plans to make the evaluations obligatory. Before 2009, evaluations were compulsory. Distributed to students during class time, they were still filled quickly and carelessly. Most instructors got very good or very bad evaluations. Its true we had problems in the past with evaluations being compulsory, but now that they are voluntary we get a small sample of students who either loved the course or hated it, Sfeir said. Were still considering the best choice, but I think eventually its going to be compulsory again. Ibrahim Houssari, English instructor at LAU, thinks that students dont take the evaluations seriously and do them off hand. Houssari argued that evaluations shouldnt be optional. Unlike before, a few number of students even bother to fill the evaluations out,
continued on page 10
In fall 2010, the number of full-time male faculty was listed as 165 and females as 118. But what seems like an encouraging statistic becomes more disappointing with further scrutiny. The number of professors may be broken down by rank, with six categories ranging from assistant instructor as the lowest to professor as the highest. The number of females in the highest ranks is six while the males are 23 almost four times the amount. Associate professors at LAU the second highest rank include 41 males and 19 females. The statistics are not weird nor unusual to me. This is actually very common in universities worldwide, Dima Dabbous-Sensenig, director of the Institute for Womens Studies in the Arab World, said. There are more male professors than females in different countries, not only in the Arab world. The American University of Beirut has 41 male and five female professors.
Studies have shown that, with the amount of work it takes to be a full-time professor, women cannot do to the best of their abilities especially if they have a family, Dabbous-Sensenig explained. They face many obstacles, especially if they have kids and cannot dedicate themselves the way males do. Assistant professors at LAU apply for promotion three to seven years after they are hired as full timers. To succeed, they must show evidence of excellence in teaching, research and services to the community. After working for a minimum of twelve years, associate professors are eligible to apply for promotion. Assistant professors receive 50,001 US dollars as an annual basic salary while associate professors get 67,595 US dollars and full professors 97,099 US dollars. On a societal level, the mother does most of the work at home, DabbousSensenig said. A working
continued on page 10
CAMPUS NEWS
Palestine 101
By Zahi Sahli LAU Tribune staff
Photo via: Creative Commons
Tribune
The Netherlands Institute in Beirut reached out on Wednesday, Nov. 23, to LAU students interested in pursuing gender studies in Holland. Its representative emphasized the Masters and doctoral degrees and even offered scholarships for outstanding performances. Dima Dabbous-Sensenig, director of Institute for Womens Studies in the Arab World, and Elie Samia, director of the Outreach and Civic Engagement Unit at LAU, welcomed Taco Van der Zwagg, the director of the soon-to-be-established insti-
tute in Beirut, for a conference which helped students broaden their horizons with educational possibilities in Holland. With the completion of a bachelors degree, one may have access to a number of top universities spread throughout Holland with a variety of English-taught programs focusing on issues such as ethnicity, gender and womens studies, international health and many more. Students who are able to engage in this international program will be on the fore-
front of issues, said Van der Zwagg, emphasizing on the cutting-edge courses that are offered at many European universities. The Netherlands has roughly 16.7 million inhabitants and is the 16th largest economy in the world. With 14 research universities, most of which are at the top of the 200 rankings, this Scandinavian country enables students to acquire knowledge through intricate and intriguing courses. For more information on the opportunities, contact assistantmanager@ni-beirut.org
Correction In the previous issue of the Tribune, an article incorrectly said that MP Albert Moukheiber gave a lecture at LAU. His grandson, MP Ghassan Moukheiber, was LAUs host at the time.
SPORTS
Basket Vs. Net
By Mayya Al-Ogaily LAU Tribune staff
Sana Chahine, a communication arts student at LAU and a member of the women soccer team, was swamped. Having to cope with a demanding major and regular training is not easy, especially when you do not feel appreciated. She went to see Sami Garabedian, the director of the LAU athletics department, and told him she would like to quit if she doesnt get the athletic scholarship she deserves. To her surprise, Garabedian did not prevent her from renouncing her commitment to sports. If I am still playing, its only because I love the game, she explained. I am not getting anything in return. LAU is an active member of the Lebanese Federation of University Sports (FSUL), and its two campuses sponsor 18 varsity sports teams: handball and rugby (for men only) and basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, table tennis, swimming, Thai kickboxing and taekwondo (for both men and women). Rumors around campus recently alleged that LAUs athletic department favors some sports teams over others. The claims sounded like overstated complaints coming from pampered students. But, after further investigations, the Tribune found that the women soccer team at LAU is unsatisfied because of differential treatment. According to members of the women soccer team, the athletic department has failed to meet the demands of the players, although they snatched the first place in the league last year. LAU gives us very little or no importance at all, as athletes, Yara Ghabris, a soccer team member, said. During our games we have quite a few that support us, in comparison to other sports. Other team members like Chahine, Dima Farroukh and Fida Ghabbar agree with Ghabris. The girls explained that no one from the LAU athletics department attended the final game of the Soccer League Championship last year. No one, not even Mr. Sami Garabedian was there for us, Ghabbar said. All we got from them was a trophy a few months later. More importantly, girls in the women soccer team complained that none of them had an athletic scholarship in recognition of the teams accomplishments. We do not get scholarships, despite the fact that we won the league last year, while some teams, like the basketball team, get scholarships and they dont even achieve what our team has achieved, Farroukh said. We risk our studies and grades just to spend hours in training to get those results. We deserve some credit. Over five basketball team members have athletic scholarships. Sami Garabedian,director of the athletics department, denied
nov.28, 2011
Tribune
continued on page 10
We have very good players on the team, said Reine Alameh, captain of the LAU Sailors, the universitys women basketball team. But we definitely need to work on the chemistry between us. MVP for two consecutive years, Alameh believes that, if the players work together, they have a chance of achieving very good results. Ibrahim Jarouj, assistant coach, agrees. They are good, but they need to concentrate more during the games, he said. During their last game against Haigazian University, the Sailors lost by 7 points. This result was, to a certain extent, predictable since Rihab Khalifeh, center player, was absent from the game due to an injury. This result was fairly good for the first game of the season, Jarouj said. But they couldve done much better. Coach Najib Choueity selected 16 female students to play on the varsity team. Representing LAU Beirut in the
league and in several tournaments, these young women have a great deal of responsibility thrown upon their shoulders, Jarouj said. Karine Naji, who started practicing with the team last year while still in school, received an athletic scholarship of 15 percent. Alameh and several other players also benefited from the same financial assistance. I really hope we make it to the final four this year, Naji said. This would be a great experience, especially for me, since its my first year on the team. Naji is a player in the 2nd division national team and a part of the track and field team at LAU Beirut. Tara Haydar Ahmad is another new comer to the team. With our three-times-aweek practices, and with hard work from all the players, I believe we can keep our previous ranking and even top it this year, Jarouj said. The LAU Sailors were ranked 4th nationally last year.
Upcoming games
La liga
30/11
Upcoming games
Serie A
29/11 02/12
Upcoming games
Premier League
03/12
Upcoming games
Champions League
06/12
V V V V V V
Juventus
10/12
Inter
Chelsea Olympiakos Barcelona Plzen 07/12 Man.City Villareal Inter Basel Ajax
V V V V V V V V V
Valencia Arsenal BATE AC Milan Bayern Napoli CSKA Moscow Man.Utd Real Madrid
CAMPUS LIFE
Living in My Parents Shadows
By Layan Doueik LAU Tribune staff
I am a business graduate by force, an artist by nature, Nancy, who refused to give her family name, said defiantly. Nancy is an LAU alumna who was forced to enter the business world. Her dream of becoming a director took its last breath with her dads rejection of a communication arts major. My dad didnt care about my artistic passion; all he cared about was for me to gain money from good career prospects, Nancy complained. As a child, Nancy liked to draw, act and even play the piano, her mother said. Even now, whenever she watches a new movie or a video clip, she tends to give several comments on the way she wouldve done it or some remarks on how to improve it, the mother added. Students graduating from high school are often confused about the choice of major and university, but the situation becomes even tougher when parents get involved in the selection of the right career path. Nancy holds her parents fully responsible for the discontent she felt while studying at LAU. Unlike many of my friends, I wasnt excited to talk about my future expectations or even to stay on campus, Nancy explained. I mechanically attended business classes and didnt take a real part in them. Numbers have never interested me. But for Nancys parents, this disinterest is not a central issue. Coming from a different generation, they see that the ultimate financial gain from a career spent in business is significantly more important. I was once a student and I know what it is like to have a certificate with no financially comfortable position waiting for me, Elie, an engineer and Nancys father, said. He believes that his daughter had a lot more guidance today than he did when he was younger. She must make use of it, he said. Older generations in Lebanon, and some of their younger counterparts, tend to value majors like engineering, medicine or law, because they often lead to prosperous careers and eventual wealth. The emphasis on money makes specializations like fine arts or journalism more unpopular among parents. Raed Mohsen, the dean of student affairs, explained that the grades of students forced into their majors may highly suffer. Many, on the other hand, perform well academically but later change career when older. They might be doing it to please the parents and not to disappoint them, Mohsen said. Nancy graduated six years ago and now owns a small fashion store in Beirut. I graduated with a good GPA but up till now, I havent applied for any job offer in
Tribune
any company because I want to be my own boss, she said. Nancys father helped her open this shop because he knew she wouldnt have worked otherwise. She doesnt have the passion, Nancys father said. At the end of the day, shes my daughter and I want the best for her. Ahmad Yassine, a 20-yearold finance student at LAU, shares Nancys experience. Yassine excelled during his high school years in mathematics and physics and thus his parents automatically assumed he would choose a domain that suits his academic potential. I avoided medicine and engineering and eventually settled for finance so that my parents would still think that I am smart enough, Yassine confessed. This young man did not discuss major choices with his parents; he just gave in to their preference. Meanwhile, he had another plan in mind. I didnt even present the idea of entering into communication arts to my parents, he said. I know they would never have accepted. Although LAU does not offer a minor in radio\TV\film for non-communication arts, Yassine insisted on taking all his electives from the major in question. His parents are not aware of his course choice. I dont care about the certificate, I can work with my ex-
perience and passion, Yassine said. Im not costing my parents any additional penny.Yassine acknowledged that his obsession for communication arts will eventually lead him to oppose his parents wishes. Im going to graduate as a business student but continue to work with what I really like, he said. My parents wont care as long as I work and make money. Khouloud Mardini, a psychology senior, defied her parents and chose the major she loves most. Although her mother insisted she studies hospitality management, Mardini managed to apply, get accepted and later excel at the social sciences department. Mohsen spoke of two reasons why parents interfere in their childrens choice of major. Probably the father is a lawyer or a dentist and wants his son or daughter to inherit his clients, he said. After all, he has worked hard to establish his business and build a clientele. It could also be that the par-
ents project themselves onto their off-springs, Mohsen explained. My mother used to tell me that I would turn out to be a psycho and end up having psychological issues if I entered psychology, Mardini said. She believes that hospitality will help me gain me more money and social experience. Mardinis mother always wanted to become a hotel manager but never had the chance to go to college. Now I can pay for Khoulouds college. I want her to fulfill my dream, the mother said. The passion in the discourse of Khoulouds mother is comparable to that of her daughter, of Nancy or of Yassine. Behind every one of those stories is the passion about a given profession or, perhaps more importantly, about the ability to make an independent choice. Passion has a role because thats where the heart is, Mohsen said. The student will be majoring in something he or she loves, thus the commitment to excel is strong.
Zein Bustami 20-year-old education student The cafeteria is better than last year. It is cleaner and more efficient. I usually order sandwiches, mainly turkey and cheese.
Mustafa Houmani 20-year-old pre-med student Nothing has changed in the cafeteria, except for the variety of food which I dont care about. Honestly, I prefer my mothers food.
Ali Zein 21-year-old accounting student I find the cafeteria this year organized with a better service. I regularly order salad bar to stay in shape.
Aya Ibrahim 19-year-old marketing student At first, I found it attractive with a greater variety of food but, after finding a fly in my salad, I had second thoughts about it.
Farah Shami 20-year-old radio/TV/film student This year, the food is freshly delivered, with a delicious taste. I usually order a daily plate with chicken. I love chicken.
CAMPUS LIFE
CEP: A Key to Your Success
By Lyn Abu-Seraj LAU Tribune staff
Riad Abdelkhalek, a business student at LAU, could not continue his education here. But, instead of dropping out of school, he enrolled in the Continuing Education Program (CEP) in Fall 2010. They gave me critical thinking, stress management and two other business courses, Abdelkhalek said. These courses helped me understand how to divide my time, organize my studies and improve my grades. According to its website, the CEP offer[s] innovative learning opportunities for future business leaders and adult learners while promoting professional advancement and encouraging achievement. Granting LAU certificates to people who wish to enhance their performance, the program offers courses such as human anatomy, group fitness, fitness management, internships, human resource development and financial accounting and reporting. At the Continuing Education Program, we have engraved in our mission statement the necessary skills that working and aspiring professionals require to attain excellence in the workplace, Michael Majdalani, the director of CEP, said. CEP students explain that teachers at the department are understanding, helpful and can relate to the student problems. I was not a big fan of CEP because I sometimes felt like it was more of a punishment, Abdelkhalek said. But ever since he enrolled in the program, Abdelkhalek improved his GPA and soon resumed his studies at the business school. Hussein F. Zeaiter is an assistant professor of economics at LAUs school of business. He has a PhD in economics from the University of Wisconsin, an MS in applied economics from Eastern Michigan University and a BS in business economics from the LAU. His accomplishments originated at the CEP in 1996-97.
Tribune
Zeaiter comes from a village in Baalbek, where schools focus on science rather than English. Because I failed EEE, I needed to improve my English so I can enroll at LAU, and major in economics, Zeaiter said. He enrolled at the CEP. The program is an excellent start for students who need it, according to Zeaiter. Not only was it a good start academically but also socially, Zeaiter explained. After a whole year at the CEP, the young man repeated EEE and enrolled into intensive English at LAU before he continued as an economics
major. The English language consists of alphabets and, without the letter A, you cannot continue, Zeaiter said. CEP is the key and it provides the letter A for those who are looking for it. Bushra Badran has been the CEP officer for eight years now. She teaches management of office finance, introduction to business and accounting I. She also serves as support for CEP programs and students. As CEP officers, we have one aim, which is to strengthen their knowledge, Badran said. We also train students
for university entrance exams such as SATs and EEE. The CEP division also trains employees, helping them deal with business-related issues and better manage their work environment. Students range from 18 to 40 years old. Every year, the CEP serves more than 1,000 applicants, most of whom come in to enhance their English. Raja Habib, a coordinator and supervisor for the English program, has been part of the CEP for 20 years. What is interesting about CEP is that we also teach instructors to prepare students for SAT, he said. The CEP offers summer camps for children aged 5 to 12 an age group that presents different physical and learning activities. This year alone, more than 350 applicants were enrolled. The CEP at LAU is leading the way into the future by effectively bridging the gap between the academic world and the marketplace, Majdalani said.
PEOPLE
By Carla Hazarian LAU Tribune staff
At first glance, you see a small and petite woman with a youthful look. But the more you talk to her, the more you realize youre facing a strong personality, opinionated in her beliefs. Zalfa Chehab teaches broadcast journalism here at LAU. Chehab grew up in Lebanon during the civil war. We didnt know what was going on in the entire country, and we were stuck in one region, she said. We were the generation of the war. Her idea of freedom was to get out of Beirut and be with her friends. We are talking about checkpoints. They were armed, she recalled. Well, I would try to get to the other side to meet my friends.. Well, what we call the other side. Chehab was a rebel in her younger years. She would do what she pleased then what was considered right or wrong in Lebanon at that time. She just wanted be herself and discover her country with her own eyes. Originally, Chehab majored in three languages at Saint Joseph University, with a focus on law economics, geopolitics literature, and media. It was by chance that she got into journalism. At the beginning of her career, Chehab created a magazine with some friends called The Click. She wrote articles about events going on in the country and freelanced for other newspapers and magazines. She discovered that she really had a passion for journalism, and liked the interaction with people. Defying the many challenges around her, she applied for and attended Paris II Assas University, and started training at
Tribune
nov. 28 , 2011
Tribune
Rania Dalloul, Hermezs childhood friend, came on board to help market the project. Dalloul runs the website and Facebook page, which to its founders surprise received much attention. People wanted to know
more, so I started updating more, Dalloul said. Dalloul also contributes by teaching the current five students English classes three times a week. They wanted to learn English, so they just asked me, she said. My Arabic is very weak so its al-
ways an exchange. The requirements for those who want to join the Creative Space are very basic; passion is the priority. The young students, aged 17 to 23, are talented and have previous experience in fashion design. Baraa Al Abdullah, a 20-year-old Palestinian born in Sidon, attended the UNRWA Sibleen training center to learn about fashion design. Hermez discovered Al Abdullah when she contacted the school to find students interested in her idea. My parents were against the idea at first and were worried that I wouldnt find a job later, Al Abdullah said. But I believe that I have a future in this industry. There are no rules as to what the young women must design a fact that helps enhance their creativity.
continued on page 10
Aden Couture
By Mohamad Al-Oraybi LAU Tribune staff
in graphic design and a BS in marketing. His work experience started in advertising and photo shootings. Studying graphic design allowed me to master the art of combining colors, shapes and designs, Mhaidly said. As for marketing, it allows to promote my own line today. A school boy at the age of 10, he found himself drawing dresses in math classes. Mhaidly bought every fashion magazine he found to follow the latest trends. A few years later, he shopped for his girlfriends and styled them ahead of their outings. Back in school, I was always around my girlfriends. I helped them choose their outfits and styled them with accessories, he said, laughing at the memory. They were my guinea pigs. During the week, Mhaidly wakes up at 9 a.m. and heads to his atelier in Verdun. He spends time with his tailors until noon, finalizing orders. From noon until 7, the young man meets clients and takes in orders. His atelier is designed like a cozy living room. Couches, coffee tables and fashion magazines spread out around the room where he meets his clients. I want to make my clients feel at home, I need them to be comfortable so that I am able to figure out their personalities and design their dresses accordingly, Mhaidly said. Sarah Al Kabbani, a psychology junior at LAU, enjoys buying from Aden. I absolutely love how Adnan caters his clients needs, I always get the dress exactly how I had it in mind, she said. Mhaidly resumes work with his tailors after 7 p.m., working on new designs and supervising. At night, when Beiruts residents are out to party, Mhaidly spends his time alone with his laptop, researching. He investigates trends of different eras, other designers work and different fabrics. I spend a lot of time and energy on research, he said. It is my inspiration, there is a lot to be learned. With time, Mhaidlys lifestyle as a designer became more glamorous. He was exposed to the socialites of Beirut and had to travel a lot more to London, Paris and Italy. As a designer, I am much more exposed to the latest trends, he said. I now attend shop openings and fashion shows. Affordable to many, Aden is one of LAU girls favorite evening gown brands. Tamara Kalaawi, management senior at LAU, is a big fan of Aden. In a wedding I attended recently, wearing an Aden dress made me steal the lights from the bride, Kalaawi said. His dresses simply stand out. The colors Mhaidly chose for this winter collection are black, wine red, and emerald green. As for fabrics, Mhaidly is a big fan of silk. I use a lot of silk based fabrics, he said. Silk velvet, tulle, and muslin abound in his dresses. Future plans of Mhaidly include a fashion show in Beirut and more exposure in the Middle East till he reaches Europe. I want to create a strong base in Lebanon and then move onwards, he said.
Courtesy of Adnan Mhaidly
Adnan Mhaidly, the designer of Aden, created a name for himself in the Lebanese fashion industry in three years only. Aged 28 today, Mhaidly graduated from LAU with an AA
MEDIA &LITERATURE
Tribune
nov. 28 , 2011
you can imagine. Any current BlackBerry users who have been waiting to upgrade to the Bold should definitely give it a try, Rabih Fanous, the owner of a cell phone shop, said. He revealed that several BB
users have already switched to BB Bold. This is an excellent handset that does everything it should, and does it all very well, Fanous said. It is as if you are carrying an extra brain.
OPINION
By Mahmoud Araissi Special to the LAU Tribune
The Lebanese national football team defeated South Korea 2-1 in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Camille Chamoun Sports City stadium in Beirut on November 15. The official FIFA World Rankings lists South Korea at 31 while Lebanon is ranked 146th. This success is remarkable and leaves the Lebanese team on the brink of advancing to the fourth round of World Cup qualifiers. This result can also be promising for the future of the countrys various sports teams. Following this success, Lebanons private and public sports ought to invest heavily in team sports. Football investment would help lift tourism. Other than the classic analysis of football as a sports game, some countries consider the sports as a component of the economy, society and culture. The interdisciplinary perspective also regards football as an instrument through which the sustainable development of a city can be achieved, and thus the authorities should include the local team in their urban management plan. In order to obtain sustainable development through sport, football clubs must be seen as viable economic entities, just as enterprises are, because we are interested in how they can contribute to the economic prosperity, the quality of the environment and the social equity of Lebanon. In general, the football club and its city of origin influence each other, each contributing to the development of the other. A good example would be Real Madrid, the private nonprofit football club that is supported by more than 100,000 club members and how it lifted the Spanish capital status and generated much appreciated
Tribune
Note: The LAU Tribune is not responsible for the opinions expressed on this page.
CONTINUED
Meager Evaluations
Continued from page 1
he said. At least if theyre obligatory, we can guarantee that all those who are present would take them. Rouba Jaafar, journalism student at LAU, believes that the administration doesnt take students feedback into consideration. Three sections once gave a negative evaluation about a teacher but the administration didnt do anything, Jaafar said. That teacher stayed and most of the students either failed or dropped the course. Sfeir explained that, when an instructor gets a bad evaluation, the administration investigates his or her performance. But, unless the complaints are repeated and proven to be of a worthy reason, not much can be done. We cant terminate a faculty just because one student wrote something bad about them, Sfeir said. Just like we dont expel a student just because one teacher gave them a bad grade. But Sfeir insisted that, when a faculty member does not perform and students are not pleased, several measures are taken and may include expulsion if the negative evaluations are repeated. Instructors, on their side, complained about specific questions in the evaluation form. One of the items asks about the amount of work given to students the less the work, the better the grade. According to Mona Shahine, English instructor at LAU, this question in particular should be rephrased because most students do not like to be given extra work, even if this work is necessary to improve their abilities. I dont see how they can learn anything if you dont make them work, Shahine said. Sfeir explained that this question is there to assess the course itself and help sustain a balance between the
Adviser: Yasmine Dabbous Editors-in-Chief: Farah Al Saati, Ranim Hadid, Zahi Sahli
10
Tribune
Staff: Iman Soufan, Carla Hazarian, Lyn AbuSeraj, Layan Doueik, Omar El Tani, Zeina Shehayeb, Mohamed Al-Oraybi, Mayya Al-Ogaily, Natalia Elmani, Assaad Hawwa,Caroline Feghaly, Rouba Jaafar
OFF CAMPUS
nov. 28 , 2011
Tribune
11
Ishraka, a Sudanese/Eritrean woman living in Lebanon, was arrested for living in the country without residency papers. For around a month, she was in the womens prison in Verdun with her two-year-old son but when authorities moved her to Adlieh, they did not allow her to take him. He is now staying with her Sudanese friend in Mar Elias Palestinian refugee camp. Although Sudanese in Lebanon are occasionally referred to as Abed (slave) or chocolat (chocolate), racial discrimination is not their biggest problem. Many find themselves raided, prosecuted and forgotten in prisons for living here illegally. Dima Abounaid, a Sudanese activist and the founder of The Sudanese Lebanese Charity Foundation, assured us that Sudanese living in Lebanon may face major ra-
cial slurs, especially at work. But she says that racism here is still rare, because most people are educated. People in Sudan like in Lebanon participate in name calling, she said. Africans are called chocolate in this country while in Sudan whites are called milk. The biggest problem the Sudanese face here is not having residency papers. Many Sudanese are refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but they are not recognized as such here because Lebanon is not an asylum country. In her blog on the Sudanese in Lebanon, Jane Rubio, an activist who lobbies for the rights of domestic workers here, explains the economics of the situation. In order to be legal, Sudanese (and other immigrants) have to pay up to 600 dollars yearly to cover the
because this kind of job is tough for a girl, she said. Samiras daughter is now studying medicine at the Beirut Arab University. Her mother helps finance her studies. But Samira
OFF CAMPUS
By Zahi Sahli LAU Tribune staff
We dont want our daughters to work with the degrees they have earned, a Lebanese song, Jumhuriyyit Albi (The Republic of My Heart) by Mohammed Iskandar, says. In Iskandars previous work, Quli Bihibni (Say that He Loves Me) his breakthrough to the world of fame, the singer orders his female partner not to answer her phone when alone and says that he would shoot whoever comes near her. Sociologist Sevag Hagopian filed a complaint to the Public Prosecutor against Iskandars first hit, charging that the song was both violent and offensive to women. The prosecutor forwarded the case to the General Security. Various women rights institutions and groups in Lebanon echoed Hagopians concerns. Iskandars famous or infamous triumphs represent a new generation of songs that have recently topped the Lebanese charts and that include violent or offensive lyrics, especially toward women. Badi, a Lebanese pop star, sings one such example. Who would dare come close to you? his song dramatically says. Tell me his name. Ill chop his head off. Hell be a lesson for all. Ali Hmedi, a Lebanese International University student, said that such songs were humorous and unworthy of the whole commotion surrounding them. Meanwhile, Ayman Moughraby, a business senior at LAU, said the tune is nice, and insisted that the Lebanese youth can relate to the lyrics. These lyrics come from our tradition and they somehow make sense, Moughraby said. The songs attractive tunes, inspired by Lebanese folk music, allow the lyrics to transcend the minds of the listeners quite easily, explains psychologist and LAU associate professor Ketty Sarouphim.
12
Tribune
nov. 28 , 2011
Art Lounge
By Omar El-Tani LAU Tribune staff
Photo via Creative Commons
Its more dangerous when its in a form of a song than when you read it, Sarouphim said. Because you repeat the songs, not only do you memorize the information, but you believe in it. Its a double whammy; it acts on both sides. The right side of the brains hemisphere manages music, Sarouphim explained. The lyrics and language, on the other hand, are on the left side. When you combine them, you make the whole brain active, Sarouphim said. We also know that the music sides center in the brain is related to emotions. When you activate these emotions and include thoughts, its much more effective, Sarouphim, who has a Ph.D. in educational psychology, added. This is dangerous and shouldnt be taken lightly especially since young people are singing them, repeating them and enjoying them. But, while these songs can play a role in shaping detrimental perceptions, their effect can only be radical on those who are yet to form their own belief system. Our behavior is the product of much more than just listening to a song. A song might affect the way we think but, unless we are already exposed to a culture of violence, the song will not have a radical effect, Sarouphim said. In a country like Lebanon,
where political tensions and violence whether physical or verbal abound on television and in the streets, the effect of the songs raises genuine concerns. In the fall of 2010, a group of Lebanese activists launched Kherrberr, the first media monitoring system that aims to remove sexist and racist cavities from the media (Kherrberr is the Arabic for dental drill). Kherrberr blames the radio stations profit-oriented management for the ascending popularity of violent and sexist songs. They [radio stations] probably just want to collect profit and play the popular songs, the Kherrberr team said in an email. They say this is what the audience wants and we say this is what you make them want. Pop artist May Matar responded to Iskandars song, The Republic of my Heart, with a song called Metlak Mish Ayzin (We do not want men like you). We have cultured men of whom we are proud, Matar, who said she represents Lebanese womens position toward these songs, explained. They understand the value of education. The main message in my song was to say that women have come to a level that no man can destroy, and that education is something that a man shouldnt refuse for his wife, Matar added. Women
are strong and can speak for themselves. Matar explained that she is against all violent songs, whether or not they are addressed against women. And yet, one of the songs with violent lyrics comes from a woman pop star Nawal Al Zoghbi. I will kill whoever thinks of hurting you, the latter sings in a 2008 piece, Albi Saalo (Ask my Heart) by Mounir Abu Assaf. Hagopians effort to stop Iskandars song was unsuccessful as his complaint was dismissed. Despite opposition to the songs, radio stations have not cut back on playing them. TV channels have also not refrained from airing the related video clips. Iskandar appeared on Celebrity Duets, a show on the Lebanese Broadcast Corporation International (LBCI). He sang his popular pieces and the crowd seemed to enjoy them. Fares Iskandar, who writes the lyrics of his fathers songs, refused to comment on the issue. He has publicly rebuffed accusations of misogynic intentions and claimed that his lyrics honor women. Iskandar is an intelligent man, Mohammed Hodeib, the founder and leading member of Wled El Balad band, said. We should direct the blame to ourselves and be sad that we are applauding songs of such a standard.
From the outside, the building looks like any other industrial edifice located in Karantina. But, as soon as you climb the stairs and step into the entrance door, you realize there are beautiful things in ugly places. As its name suggests, the Art Lounge is art. The front door leads to the gift shop, which provides figurines, paintings, various art books and the Art Lounges own publications. As you pass the gift shop, you find yourself in one of the main exhibition rooms. From the bar, you can see a cocktail of the psychedelic 60s and the urban 90s decor. Accompanying the 60s bubble and egg chair are pools neon lights on the painted black walls. The decor is one of a kind in Lebanon, Elie Attie, an LAU Journalism graduate, said. Trip Hop, Ambience and Indian instrumental tracks seep out of the speakers and create a relaxed atmosphere. A customized animation, currently streamed on the Art Lounge website, will soon be projected on the walls. Hidden from everything is the Lotus Loft, an area devoted to eastern art and including a tea room and a bookstore. Since 2004, the Art Lounge has been hosting concerts, screening movies and showcasing art exhibitions from foreign and native artists. At the moment, two exhibitions are featured: Precisions by SABE KST and Less or More by Nahed Mansour. The Art Lounge has another branch in Beiteddine, only open during spring and summer.