Activism Through Art

In a celebration of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) heritage, MOSAIC (Marlborough’s affinity group for MENA students) hosted an All-School Meeting (ASM) that was a meaningful combination of culture and advocacy. The ASM featured a panel of three MENA artists: Iranian-American dancer and choreographer Tara Ghassimieh, Iranian-Canadian comedic actress and writer Tara Grammy, and Lebanese-American musician Leila Milki. Led by student moderators Mila B. ’27 and Zeina C. ’28, the discussion moved beyond performance and into the heart of what it means to create art at the intersection of dual identities.

As Iran experiences a pivotal era of unrest and the Middle East navigates a landscape of conflict, Mila reminded the community of the importance of the ASM and showcasing MENA artists’ voices. “I really want to spread awareness and share what is happening right now in Iran—the oppression of such an incredibly beautiful culture and art scene that has been occurring for the past 47 years,” she explained. “This panel is to highlight the beauty of Middle Eastern arts and culture—something that is often overshadowed, lost, or not completely understood.” 

Throughout the discussion, a central theme emerged: the complex, meaningful process of reconciling a dual identity. The artists talked candidly about the liminal space of being raised in the West while remaining tethered to their Iranian and Lebanese roots. With intersecting identities and immigrant parents, they spoke about those experiences of discovering and defining their identities both as people and as artists. 

Ms. Grammy—an Iranian-Canadian actor and performer whose work centers on identity, belonging, and the lived experiences of the Iranian diaspora—shared how she came to find herself through acting. “I realized I didn't have to be just Canadian or just Iranian. I could be both,” she described. “Then through my art, I found who I am, which is all of it. I stopped pigeonholing myself and thinking I have to be one thing and not another thing, and realized I can be everything. That's what art and performance gave to me.”

While Ms. Grammy found this sense of identity through the stage, Ms. Milki explored similar themes of belonging through the lens of music and lyricism. “As a lot of us ‘third culture’ children of the diaspora often experience, a lot of my music ends up grappling with the space between worlds and oftentimes conflicting interwoven value systems, expectations, and traditions,” she reflected. “Also, when our country of origin is this precarious, unstable reality that's not always guaranteed or accessible to us, that can be a true challenge. So I think a lot of my music is kind of floating in that limbo and belonging.”

For Ms. Ghassimieh, the intersection of art and identity took the form of historical reclamation. She described the personal mission that led to her ballet, The White Feather—a work that serves as a living tribute to the Iranian National Ballet, which was banned in 1979. She felt called to honor the Iranian dancers who, literally overnight, were prevented from dancing again in their home country. Turning choreography into a tool for healing, she centered those dancers in her entire creative process. “I needed to create a ballet so that I could bring former dancers from the Iranian National Ballet on the stage to take the final bow that they never got,” Ms. Ghassimieh said.

The discussion underscored a poignant reality: for artists in the MENA diaspora, creativity is rarely neutral —it is an inherent act of advocacy. Closing the ASM, Mila and Zeina turned the conversation toward the future, asking the guests about the enduring legacy they hope to leave through their work.

“I think the positive outcome of putting yourself out there as an artist, as a woman, as a student, as a professional in any way—just as a human being—is really to understand that you do have power,” Ms. Ghassimieh shared. “You don't need to feel powerless.”

The ASM provided a necessary window into the lived experiences of the MENA community, illustrating how artists in the diaspora are working to amplify, preserve, and share the cherished cultures of their people with the world.

 

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Note: This discussion took place prior to the recent escalation of the conflict in Iran and the region. The dialogue serves as a timely reflection on the enduring power of MENA cultural identity, particularly during uncertain inflection points. In all that we do, Marlborough is guided by our mission, vision, and core values, which collectively call on us to center safety and human dignity for all.