Double Helix of Belonging
by Amira Al Shanti
Being both Palestinian and Scottish, for me, is like a double helix of belonging; both strands are essential ingredients of my identity. The reality of genetically being from a country which has been, and is, subjected to abhorrent political crimes, of being the first person in my family to be born outside of that country due to displacement, and of being a registered refugee, will always cause me to hold on tighter to that very part of me – I need that aspect of my identity more than my lungs need air. Being Palestinian is about survival against all odds.
Being born and living in Scotland juxtaposes this lifeline. Being Scottish makes me feel safe, comforted and settled, against a backdrop of war crimes, loss and grief. It’s almost like the two are finely intertwined in order to keep a gentle and protective equilibrium, in a life that has so many vulnerabilities.
Amira Al Shanti : Photo - Phil Lancaster
As human beings and living creatures which belong in social packs, identity is at the core of our existence, and informs the values which drive our behaviours and goals. And, within the context of trauma and love, and everything in between, my creative work is a lifeline for emotional processing and expression.
As a writer, every word pours out of my hands like a spring of vitality. As a singer, every melody and harmony releases a wave of agonised relief. And, as an actor, there is only myself on that stage. Of course, there is playful exploration, but there is no pretense, no mask. I collect each character I play as little tokens of my innate self, and even when a project ends, I feel them surge and reside through my spirit forevermore, each one fuelling my every heartbeat. Acting, singing, writing - they are all authentic representations of myself.
I therefore feel great gratitude at every project I work on – for both the invitations to collaborate with others, and for those who come and listen – because it feels as though my soul and identity are both being appreciated and validated by our community. To me, that’s what makes creative work so special: that we not only listen, but hear each other’s stories; that we come together to cradle each identity through creation, and to connect each soul to every other soul in the world. Because, throughout the chaos and cruelty of this life, connection and authenticity is what aids survival. And that is why representation and celebration of diversity is so important in our industry – it’s never “just a story”, it’s a telling and sharing of someone’s life and truth.
And what a lucky girl I am, to have my skills and my story cultivated so lovingly by our community. I have had the wildest adventure so far, and every project has brought me exactly what I’ve needed at each point in my life. The unpredictability of the world is always scary when we stop to consider it – but the greatest lesson I have learned is that if you stay true to yourself and your identity, you will always find pockets of joy and love and magic. Because what would life be without them, without stories, without creation?
Amira is a multi-talented actor and performer who recently achieved her Doctorate in Psychology. As a writer and artist, Amira’s work has been published in The Herald, and she performed a spoken word piece as a follow up to her short film ‘Said the Dove to the Olive Tree’ live at Take One Action Film Festival 2022.
Instagram: @arabicforprincess | Twitter: @arabforprincess