I recently learned from @fatemaaaahmad that @Middlebury is developing a CVE game. This is disappointing, but not surprising. A decade ago, I got a scholarship to study #Arabic at Middlebury's summer institute and my experience there was pretty disturbing
National security was an undertone of the program. My class included a student from the #ARMY, the #CIA, and a #Zionist. Instead of studying #Arabic in peace, I felt like I constantly had to do better because I knew that Arabic was going to used to hurt members of my community
At one point during the summer, the CIA came to do a presentation on careers with them since Arabic language skills would be a valuable asset. I didn't attend the presentation because I couldn't handle it, but my friend who passed by the room said it was overflowing with students
As a member of the #Diaspora, this experience taught me how deeply entrenched US imperialism is in the study of Arabic. I couldn't learn Arabic without being reminded especially of the violence of the War on Terror.
This is a reminder to me, to renew my intention to learn Arabic as well as I can. Not just because it is a part of my culture and heritage, but also to use my language skills in community defense.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
