27 September 03

The World Lost a Great Mind Yesterday

Edward Said died at the age of 67 after living for years with leukemia. He spoke eloquently not only for Palestinians but for justice throughout the world. A scholar at Columbia University for many years, his book Orientalism (1978) is credited with starting the post-colonial studies movement.

Whenever I saw him through my work at Harvard University Press he was debonair, brilliant, a little intimidating, and always intensely thoughtful. The Arab world has just lost its most articulate mouthpiece.

Posted by at 05:30 PM in Miscellaneous | Link |
  1. His voice was one of the most eloquent that I’ve been reading, especially over the last two years. He managed to speak to the world, especially the non-Arab world, in a way that so many people who misunderstand the Arab world could relate to. I was a little shocked when I saw the headline article about his death. He seemed so energetic and full of so many more important things to say. His strength and bravery just for saying what needed to be said, was and is an inspiration.

    I’ve been thinking a lot about the exchange we had a little while back on what needs to be done in the world… your words and counter thoughts have made me probe my own intentions deeply… and as you said, they are truly difficult questions. I waver between anger, sadness, fear, and bewilderment. Edward Said made the path clear. His convictions were examples for us to follow.

    — butuki    27. September 2003, 17:45    Link

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