{"@context":"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json","id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/iiif/057cr5q26w/manifest","type":"Manifest","label":{"en":["Hiba Ali interviewed by Jordan Zapp, 2021 March 12"]},"logo":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/157/original/libraryheader.jpg?1617628943","metadata":[{"label":{"en":["Finding Aid"]},"value":{"en":["https://aspace.lib.jmu.edu/repositories/4/archival_objects/25914"]}},{"label":{"en":["Agent"]},"value":{"en":["Ali, Hiba (Interviewee)","Zapp, Jordan (Interviewer)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Date"]},"value":{"en":["2021-03-12 (Creation)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Language"]},"value":{"en":["English (Primary)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Description"]},"value":{"en":["Records an interview with Hiba Ali, who was born in Paris, France, and moved with her family to Damascus, Syria at the age of four and a half. Relates her immigration to the United States in 2013 with her then-husband. Describes her childhood in the capital of Syria, Damascus, a city with a rich multicultural history, and her numerous travels, including trips to Paris and the United States. Discusses her cultural identity, Muslim background, and growing up in a Christian neighborhood. Comments on the generosity of spirit and openness of the Syrian people. Ali recounts her decision to relocate to the United States to pursue a Master's degree in pharmacology. Describes her decision to relocate from Fairfax to Harrisonburg and separate from her husband. Includes references to domestic violence. Among the topics discussed are community, assimilation, education, childhood, parents' background, experience as an elder child, career aspirations, women's empowerment, motherhood, maintenance of home culture, and immigration. Ali also comments on her experience reconciling the events in the Middle East with her personal memories. (Scope and Content Note)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Format"]},"value":{"en":["audio/mpeg"]}},{"label":{"en":["Identifier"]},"value":{"en":["SdArch 45 (Collection Call Number)","SdArch45-WAV-0001.mp3 (Digital Object ID)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Subject"]},"value":{"en":["Syria -- Emigration and immigration (geographic)","Group identity (topical)","Immigrants -- Cultural assimilation -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg (topical)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Keyword"]},"value":{"en":["JMU Libraries Distinctive Collections"]}}],"summary":{"en":["Records an interview with Hiba Ali, who was born in Paris, France, and moved with her family to Damascus, Syria at the age of four and a half. Relates her immigration to the United States in 2013 with her then-husband. Describes her childhood in the capital of Syria, Damascus, a city with a rich multicultural history, and her numerous travels, including trips to Paris and the United States. Discusses her cultural identity, Muslim background, and growing up in a Christian neighborhood. Comments on the generosity of spirit and openness of the Syrian people. Ali recounts her decision to relocate to the United States to pursue a Master's degree in pharmacology. Describes her decision to relocate from Fairfax to Harrisonburg and separate from her husband. Includes references to domestic violence. Among the topics discussed are community, assimilation, education, childhood, parents' background, experience as an elder child, career aspirations, women's empowerment, motherhood, maintenance of home culture, and immigration. Ali also comments on her experience reconciling the events in the Middle East with her personal memories."]},"provider":[{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/aboutus","type":"Agent","label":{"en":["James Madison University Libraries"]},"homepage":[{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/","type":"Text","label":{"en":["James Madison University Libraries"]},"format":"text/html"}],"logo":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/157/original/libraryheader.jpg?1617628943","type":"Image"}]}],"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collections/default_thumbs/000/003/230/small/tom-coe-A7KD1kdXD-o-unsplash_Banner-2.jpg?1746109579","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464","type":"Canvas","label":{"en":["Media File 1 of 1 - open-uri20250324-1094443-u580xe.mpga"]},"duration":2873.07755,"width":640,"height":360,"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collections/default_thumbs/000/003/230/small/tom-coe-A7KD1kdXD-o-unsplash_Banner-2.jpg?1746109579","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/content/1","type":"AnnotationPage","items":[{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/content/1/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"painting","body":{"id":"https://aviary-p-jmu.s3.wasabisys.com/collection_resource_files/resource_files/000/268/464/original/open-uri20250324-1094443-u580xe.mpga?1742824791","type":"Audio","format":"audio/mpeg","duration":2873.07755,"width":640,"height":360},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464","metadata":[]}]}],"annotations":[{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["Hiba Ali interviewed by Jordan Zapp, 2021 March 12 [Transcript]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: And then we can get started. I'm just going to read off an intro that our narrator wanted to be read off. She was going to read it off, but now I'll read it off. Okay, so welcome. Today is March 12, 2021. And we are here with myself, the host, Jordan Zapp and our narrator, Hiba Ali. Is that how you say your name?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1.05,22.8"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/2","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yes, Hiba.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=22.95,23.64"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/3","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: If you prefer Hiba— do you prefer Ms. Ali? What do you—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=24.45,26.82"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/4","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Oh, Hiba is fine.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=26.85,27.9"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/5","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Great. We will be sharing her experience and her story about being an immigrant. This oral history was conducted as part of Dr. Fagan's English class project. All right, so our first question is, can you tell us your general story, like just from however— whatever that means to you?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=28.32,45.72"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/6","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: So, like you said, first, my name is Hiba. And, I was born in Paris, France, and— where I lived until I was four and a half. And, then, my family moved back to Syria, Damascus, to be specific, which is the capital of Syria. And, that's where I grew up most of my life. We kept going back and forth, to France to visit friends and so forth. But, my childhood and my memories are all— are all in Damascus, and in Syria, generally.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=48.24,79.35"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/7","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: What was your childhood like in Damascus? What are your, like, memories that really stick out to you from that?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=81.84,86.37"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/8","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: So my thought— we originally are from the coast area of Syria, but we grew up in the Capitol. And, my father always made sure even though we were to go on vacations outside of Syria, but every year he made sure we visited some part of Syria. And, I loved it. It left like a really huge impact I feel in my life. It made me understand the city I came from. It is a very open country. And, if you search like of any info about Syria, you'll find that it's almost like a linking part in the world. It's a link between three continents. So, it's a very interesting part geographically, and I loved it. It has a mix of old buildings— new so you can feel, like, the old civilizations and their impact on our city. And then, you know, the fast paced life we all— we're all in these days. I love the mix of cultures. And, I come from a Muslim background, but I grew up in a Christian neighborhood. So, I never felt like there was a difference between religions. I felt that we all integrated well with each other. And, I feel like that enriched my soul— my experiences made me open to a lot of other cultures as well.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=87.57,177.21"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/9","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: That's incredible. What a cool way to grow up, I suppose—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=177.93,180.36"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/10","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I think so. Very sad for my son that he's not experiencing it [chuckles].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=180.69,184.2"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/11","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Oh, yeah. Actually, on that note, do you want to tell us a little bit about your son and what you feel like his experiences have been living in the U.S. a little bit and, like, maybe your experience as a mother? [unclear]","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=184.83,194.85"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/12","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah. Yeah, so I'm a single mother, but when my son was born, I was still married to his father. We— he was born in Harrisonburg and he's lived all his life in Harrisonburg, which I love. I— because when I first came to the States, it was to Northern Virginia.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=194.85,213.03"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/13","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay, and what part in Northern Virginia?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=213.6,215.37"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/14","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Fairfax— Centerville.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=216.42,217.59"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/15","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: I live— I was— I grew up right outside of there.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=218.7,220.86"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/16","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Oh, yeah?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=221.19,221.61"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/17","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: [Yeah?]","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=221.61,221.64"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/18","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: My aunt's lived there and her kids lived there all their life. So I was— at first I was very excited because we used to come visit her when we were kids. And I was like, \"I'm gonna live in America one day.\" When I first came, it was supposed to be, like, for a student to do my masters and go back. But, then, I had my son and, you know, we all know the news about Syria and how life is in Syria right now. Well, previously, right now is much better. So, I decided to stay for him. And coming to Harrisonburg at first was also a big shock to me because I grew up in a city and I was used to the city life. But now, with him here, I feel like the city has grown more it— in the mix of cultures and it as well, so I feel very happy for him to be in Harrisonburg. And, I do want him to, at some point, experience the life in Syria. Maybe be able to go back and visit, but he loves it. Sometimes he will refer to himself like \"no, I'm from Syria,\" but he— the only link to Syria he has is me [laughs] and my family.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=221.79,292.14"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/19","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Yeah, so who else is living in your home with you? Just him? Or—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=293.88,298.59"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/20","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: It's my mom and my brother. And, my sister was with us, but she moved— she's studying at VCU. So, she's in Richmond.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=298.62,306.06"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/21","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Oh, VCU— cool. So, did they come with you initially to the U.S.? Or—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=306.12,312.81"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/22","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: No, they actually also lived in Centerville for a year. And, that year for my mom was a bit — she wasn't very happy. So, they decided to go back to Damascus and that was back in 2012. Yeah, they lived here to 2013 here, and then they went back for the summer of 2013 and then I got a phone call— and that was exactly the time I came in 2013.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=312.84,337.41"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/23","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=337.77,338.16"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/24","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I got a phone call from my mom— she's like, \"we're not coming back, we're staying in Syria.\" And, I was devastated. I was like, \"I just moved to see you guys here and now you're going back,\" but my mom couldn't take it. In Syria, there's still the aspect of social life even though her sister's here. But, you still see your family more. The life is not as fast paced, I would say as here, you still get— you do go to work, but you leave work earlier, you get to spend time with family, and everything is in walk distance. So you don't need the car or the, you know, traffic on 60— on 66 making you [chuckles] waste a lot of hours. So yeah, she decided to stay. And, two years later, with the situations not getting better, she felt like my siblings— my sister was born in Maryland—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=339.36,392.64"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/25","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=393.03,393.3"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/26","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: So, she felt like we had the privilege to be here, when a lot of people were seeking, you know, a cha— or trying to find the chance to leave the country, so she decided to stay for my siblings. And, after I had moved to Harrisonburg, she felt much better having them in Harrisonburg than having them stay in Northern Virginia, for some reason. This city gives you like a comfortable feeling, I feel like.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=393.3,420.87"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/27","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay!","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=420.93,421.32"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/28","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah, and a safe feeling, for some reason. So, her and my fathers decided that they will stay for my siblings. So, they went to Harrisonburg High School, here. And then—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=421.38,431.22"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/29","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Ahh, okay!","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=431.22,431.34"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/30","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah, and then my brother is at JMU, and my sisters at VCU at this point.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=431.7,436.02"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/31","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: That's awesome. That's amazing. You've just got family just all here.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=436.5,439.65"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/32","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah. Thank God. Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=439.71,441.15"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/33","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Very cool. Yeah, so what would you— what was your immigration journey like as a woman? Because, I know, like, coming to the U.S., you know, women are treated differently. And, I don't know about how it's in Syria, but definitely— women face a certain challenge here, so do you want to talk about that a little bit?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=442.02,458.28"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/34","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah. So, like I said, I came with my husband, at the time. We were supposed to do our Master's here. And— so we came on a student visa. And, I was married for almost two years. And, it wasn't really a good marriage. So, I feel like, for me, being in the U.S. was an eye opener, as a woman, because even though I say we are pretty open as a country, and I do feel like in comparison with other countries and cultures, woman in Syria, are— have a bit more empowerment, but there's still that cultural aspect where you feel like obligated to stay in a relationship— in a marriage, people will talk about you if you get divorced— you'll be looked at differently, and things like that. And, I remember I was still pregnant when I started feeling like this was not something healthy for my son. And, I didn't want him to grow up in that environment. And at that time, I took a break and I rethought and then I was— I still had that imbalance, I would say, between what my obligations were and how much I wanted to put into that relationship to make it work, and what— and what and how I deserve to be treated, even though I come from a family where my mom and my grandmas are very much— are very strong. They don't like me saying that they're stronger than their husbands. They all think that they're not, but they are [chuckles].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=458.97,561.6"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/35","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: That's like the secret of women, I think.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=561.6,563.25"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/36","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yes. And— so I've always seen, like, them as being spoiled by my grandpa— grandparents, but, in my situation, it was a bit hard with my ex. So, I kind of took a break and then I thought, \"no, it's okay, my son deserves having a family altogether,\" and things like that. And, actually, it was a bit of, like, a domestic violence issue. Even though we don't open up about these things, and for a long time, I felt like this is something I don't want to share with the world— I felt embarrassed of rather than the other person should have been embarrassed of his actions.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=563.28,608.01"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/37","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Absolutely. Thank you so much for sharing that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=608.07,609.93"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/38","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah, of course, I would love for it to be for anybody coming from my background to not feel like this is something on them. So, for a long time, I felt like I wanted to hide that— a lot of people did not even know I was going through that. And, I was like, \"well, we come from—,\" I remember when I called the police, which I feel ashamed of. And. I feel very upset of myself saying that, but I was like, you know, \"We're from Syria and things like this happened.\" It's like, when I go back, things like this— I did not see, like, I would see in shows, but I've never seen actually in between anybody in my family— and I'm the oldest grandchild, so I've witnessed a lot of marriages in the family. So, and then I— he was— I was like, \"I don't want him to go to prison, blah, blah, blah,\" and I remember— and he was like, \"well, he has to right now— you called us in. This is not okay,\" and things like that. And, that was back when I was in Northern Virginia.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=610.08,669.45"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/39","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Hmm.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=669.93,670.2"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/40","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: And— and then I went to my aunt and she was like, \"You have been going through this all this time and nobody even noticed that?\" And I was like, \"Yeah, well, I didn't want anyone to know.\" And, she was like, trying to empower me like, \"don't do— don't go back. This is not going to stop—,\" things like that, you know. But, I still chose to come to Harrisonburg, afterwards, with my— with my son's father, and we lived here, I think, almost— yeah, for a year before we divorced. And, I think the fact of being in America and feeling like I won't have that pressure on me, culturally— I think what helped is in 2015. My family— my parents were here. So, I remember at that point, I— I took my son and I went to one of the— I don't know what they're called anymore. The places that have— where women go to— and I forgot what the name is.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=670.2,729.6"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/41","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: A woman's shelter?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=729.63,730.47"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/42","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yes, exactly.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=730.5,731.4"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/43","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=731.43,731.76"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/44","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: And, I was like, \"Should I go there? I don't want to put the weight on my parents,\" even though they're very supportive. But, I didn't want it— to tell them that I had made that choice until I was clear of it. I'm someone who's always like, if I make a decision for me, and I, like, take a step, I don't look backwards anymore. I know I'm sticking to it. And I didn't like the situation, or thinking that I put my son in the shelter. So, I remember the day I decided to [unclear] that I'm done, I took my son and I— and I went to my parents house. And, at that point, both me and my ex, we had— we were on a kind of agreement that this is not going to work anymore. And, being in America kind of made me feel much more stronger in my decision. And I wasn't afraid, like I said, of the cultural aspects. Rather, I felt that I was doing the right thing. [both speaking] I don't know if I answered your question [laughs].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=732.0,796.5"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/45","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Absolutely! No, that's incredible. I'm— I'm so glad to hear that you, you know, we're able to get out of that and you felt, you know, empowered to do that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=796.56,802.77"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/46","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=803.07,803.49"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/47","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Amazing. So, then, what aspects of your home country of Syria do you really miss the most or stick with the most that you carry with you still?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=804.57,813.0"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/48","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I think— a lot of things. I will start with the generosity feeling.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=816.45,821.91"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/49","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=822.33,822.63"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/50","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I feel like, in Syria, our country has always been open to a lot of the countries that were— that faced problems in the region, whether it's like Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, we had a lot of those— we had a lot of the people of these countries come to Syria, seeking either like refuge or trying to have a better situation in their life, especially after all the wars that happened in these areas- [phone ringing] I'm sorry, let me turn off my phone.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=822.63,856.41"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/51","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: [unclear]","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=856.41,856.44"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/52","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah, so I felt like we our doors were always open for them. And, we— they were always welcome, and that's how most of the— most of our people are like. You would not go to somebody knock their door and not be invited in. [unclear]- Seek help and not feel like, you know, they're gonna let you go you always have somebody answering you or welcoming you in the social life— the family being there for one another. The, like, the mix of cultures— the fact that I was a Muslim and Christian neighborhood— I don't know if my parents also are not very- [unclear], like, uptight, I would say. So, I— we celebrated Christmas as a family, we— we always got together on New Year's and during the fasting month of Ramadan you always would see a lot of the Christians— a lot of our neighbors would bring us stuff. So, I never felt like I was a Muslim or a Christian, I always felt like any kind of religion was— I belong to, you know, it was part of me. And, that's what I want— how I want my son to live, to feel and to live to be acceptable of everyone. And also, getting used to, like, whenever— wherever you walk in Damascus or in Syria, you'll find, like, this— this building belongs to this civilization, which was, like, maybe 1,000 years ago or [unclear] hundred thousands of years ago, rather to say. That's always, like, in— gives you such an enrichment, you know, background. That's how I feel lucky to grow up in such a— in that country and in that place.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=861.03,976.8"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/53","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Definitely you can see the difference here with just how everything is not— it's not permanent, it's new. You don't have that, like, ancient—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=978.78,986.07"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/54","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=986.19,986.73"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/55","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: —culture.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=986.76,986.79"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/56","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah, and I feel like that's how my idea of for the business, let's say—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=987.12,993.81"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/57","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Oh yeah!","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=994.47,994.77"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/58","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: — came up. I wanted something to link my memories and stories that I tell my son, but it's something that he can feel because, for me, like if I have a certain smell— like a jasmine smell— Damascus is known to be the city of jasmine. So I'm like, \"that smell reminds me of Syria.\" You have— you're always— I always feel like you have to sense something to relate to it, you know. So, I was— coming from Syria and be having the war there, you feel like a lot of people have the— not the right idea of Syria, especially if you haven't been, you feel like, \"ahh women are, you know, oppressed there.\" Or, it's, like, a very uptight country— Muslims are very— I don't know. Right now, the whole media is on Islam. So, there's the Islamaphobia, which is— which is not justifiable, but it's understandable if you don't haven't been around the Muslims— if you haven't— you don't know— you haven't done your part in reading. And, as you see, like, whenever in any kind of social media, it'll direct you to what you're interested in. So, if you're not seeking to know more, you won't be able to find out more. So, I really wanted to have like a cultural place where people are able to know one another. Coming to Harrisonburg, one of my best friends was from Japan and her husband is Mexican. So, to me, that was, like, amazing. Every time we got together, it was a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds, and I love cultures, and I love the mix of cultures. So as like, the only way for me right now to— for my son to know where I came from, is to cook the stuff for him. I would cook some food, and then I'm like, \"I ate that at my grandma's house when it was Christmas, and it's so beautiful— and then I would show him pictures, I'm like, \"Do you see that? One day you'll go that— we'll go to Syria and you'll see it,\" [chuckles].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=994.77,1121.31"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/59","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: You're like creating these, like, images for him—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1121.31,1123.56"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/60","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Exactly!","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1124.19,1124.76"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/61","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: —so that— that's amazing. Cool.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1124.76,1126.23"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/62","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: So— and I— I think I really wanted last summer to take a first step in that direction. I asked my— my father's still in Syria, so he would come visit and he goes— he goes back and forth. And I would ask him, like, or his— my son's father's also back— went back to Syria but he also comes, so sometimes I'm like, \"bring me this musical instrument, even though he doesn't know how to play it, but he'll, you know, he'll see what it is.\" And, I was like, \"Why not introduce that to the whole city?,\" you know, \"Why not have a, like, an Arab— Arabian night?,\" not just the, you know, Aladdin Disney way, but the actual way we lived— we went— you know, we had— we enjoyed things like that, you know?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1127.43,1175.79"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/63","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Definitely, definitely it's— I love that you want to create this community that you feel like you miss from Syria, like, keep that sense for your son. That's amazing. Is that him on the wall, behind you?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1177.26,1188.33"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/64","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Ah, yes [laughs]. That's an— actually a Syrian attire for his first year [both speaking-unclear].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1188.33,1197.45"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/65","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: That's amazing.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1197.45,1198.2"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/66","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: He's six now [giggles].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1198.35,1200.78"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/67","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Wow, that's incredible. That's awesome. So, I guess we could even talk about COVID, and how that's affected the business that you had wanted to create.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1201.05,1211.58"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/68","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1211.82,1212.21"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/69","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: So what are your plans for that? Do you still want to do that, or—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1212.99,1216.89"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/70","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I would love to. As you guys know, I am from a pharmacy background; I have a bachelor's in pharmacy. And, I was working on getting my board since I came here. Let's say pharmacy was not really my biggest interest as the one— when I was growing up, I really— my father is a radiologist and my mom studied economics, and she ended up with having a Health magazine, in Syria. So, I grew up with a lot of healthcare, I would say, [unclear], and I always wanted to be a doctor. When I finished my 12th grade— for us 12th grade in Syria and the marks you get there, determine what you can— what field of study you can go into. And, my father was like, \"Don't be a doctor, that'll take forever,\" and then I was like, \"Then I'll be an architect.\" And, my mom was like, \"No, no, no, no, no, that's not a life for a girl.\" It's those— they were like, \"Go study pharmacy! It's very good for you— it's very like—,\" and I was— I was one of those kids that were— that are very grateful for their parents and very obedient, let's say. I was like, \"they made me travel, they— they made me see the world, A lot of people don't have these chances. I'm just— I'm just gonna listen to them. They know much more than I do.\" And, I went into pharmacy, because in Syria, a lot of people know, like, if a woman studies pharmacy, she ends up opening a pharmacy, and she can hire someone working for her. So, it's a very easy job to do and a very respectable job.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1217.88,1315.44"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/71","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1316.04,1316.34"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/72","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: And, coming to the States, one of the— because of my situation, and because of the things with my ex husband, I thought, well, my best route now is not to spend money on masters, but to do the certifications and become certified here. And, I was privileged and lucky to pass the first two, and I got stuck— stuck at my last exam. And, so I've been practicing pharmacy as an intern, here in the states, for the past— since 2015. And, when I felt stuck at my last board exam, I thought to myself, \"it's time to do what I really want.\" Even though I feel very happy. And, after studying a lot, I feel like a real pharmacist at this point; but, I don't feel like I want to work in retail pharmacy forever. It's not something that I dreamt of my whole— You know, my whole point of studying pharmacy was because my parents thought it was good, and I thought to myself, I will do my masters and specialize in an area, which will make me work in the hospital. And, as a foreign grad, that was not an option to be to work in a hospital because of just licensing stuff in regards to pharmacy. So, I thought last summer that it's about time I will move on, even though I'm not gonna immediately, like, open a place or have a restaurant or cultural center. Maybe, I— I'll have something in my backyard— have people over like every Saturday, introduce a dish, have somebody come play, like, some of our instruments, and I had even reached out to somebody in Boston because I feel like New York and Boston area, Massachusetts, have a lot of people from the Middle Eastern world studying music, you know, because of the music schools there. And, I was like, \"Would you come?,\" and also the festivals that Harrisonburg has, whether it's the international or they had for the, I think for a year or two times, they had another one— which was, like, almost like a dinner party or something. So, I had reached out to someone also in the community, like, \"Why not have an Arabian, you know, night or an Arabian themed parties?,\" especially, or festival, especially because now we have a lot of Middle Eastern community. And— because I can't finance it either. And, with COVID, and the doubt, and a lot of restaurants we saw closing here, a lot of people advised me to take a different route or slow down right now. And, I feel like— I still believe in my idea because I'm not just looking— I'm not looking into opening a restaurant. I don't want to make meals. I want an actual Cultural Center, like a place of art so where— where you're not only seeing the art of the community here, but a place where you see different arts from different parts of the world like a little gallery where maybe once a week or once a month you have— you're introducing a new instrument or like an Arabian theme night— Japanese night, since I have my friends in Japan— from Japan. I love our gatherings where, like, sometimes we would see somebody from India. For me, I was telling a friend the other day, like, I grew up not knowing anything about Pakistan and Afghanistan. And, even though my grandma would tell me, like, when she's— she's gone there in the 70s and it was such an open country, there was not that fear that we grew up with us 90s kids, you know. So, when I met someone a few days— a few weeks ago, I was like, \"they're exactly what my grandma described,\" even though I've seen, like, a lot of different people in Syria, and I've seen a lot of tourists and I did grow up traveling with my parents, but I still did not know anything about the people from that part of the world. So, I feel like it's our duty and— and these times, and then the world we're living in— to expose people to different cultures to be— to try our part, and bring people together. And, for me, I feel like arts and music and food is the only things people can agree on, generally, you know.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1316.34,1602.18"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/73","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay [unclear].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1602.18,1602.54"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/74","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: So why not approach it from that, you know, aspect?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1604.22,1607.91"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/75","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: I love that. On that kind of same note, how do you reconcile these, like, the way that these— these countries and areas of the— of the world, like, with your with your son? Like when he was growing up if he hears things about, like, the Middle East or about Syria, like, how do you— maybe you've already had to do that in a lot of ways?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1608.93,1628.88"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/76","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah, yeah, I feel so because I don't know who and when or how he's, like, for me, for example, because his father is in Syria, every once in a while his father would be like, \"he's gonna have to come with me,\" I'm like, \"there's no way he's leaving the states without, like, the only way he will leave is with me,\" and that's how I feel comfortable. So he would be like, \"but you're, like, not like—\" because I came as a student and my visa status right now is still on temporary status. So, even though if I were to try to travel, you know, we all had that worry in the years before, even though I don't like to approach politics, but we had— if I were to leave the states, even though I could apply for a permit, it is a paid permit and it is a not a small amount. And it says right there, like, \"if the officer of the airport says, like, decides that he doesn't want to let you in, he has the right to do so.\" So, it's not a guaranteed entry. So, I'm not gonna risk that, not for me or my son. And—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1628.97,1702.77"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/77","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"That's wild!","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1702.77,1703.52"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/78","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"It is.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1703.61,1703.94"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/79","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"That is wild.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1704.0,1704.27"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/80","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Yes, it is. But so, so for the past— since 2013, literally, I feel like I haven't left. I don't feel— I have not left the states. I don't feel locked, because there's still a lot of things to see around in the States. But, I feel like my son is missing on a lot. And, since everybody's been telling him like, \"come\" or maybe he'll hear his father saying, \"come,\" his answer was, \"I'm not going to Syria. It's not safe.\" So I was like, \"Who told you?,\" like, I'm not— Yeah, I'm not— I have never told him. I did not— I don't like lying to him, so I did tell him yes when I heard that, yes, back a few years ago, yes, it wasn't really safe. My, my reasons— my personal reasons are different because, like, if he was to go to Syria, a lot of different ideas would come to my mind. He would have to have, like, a piece of paper issued from his father allowing him to travel with me, even though I don't know if he's registered in Syria as a Syrian citizen yet, if his father has done that or not, he is an American citizen. But, I don't want to risk anything, you know.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1704.51,1776.81"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/81","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Right.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1776.87,1777.26"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/82","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: So I, I did tell him, yes, that's true. But, then I don't want him to have that idea of growing up that Syria is not a safe place. I— one of the most reasons of me staying here is because I don't want him to grow in a world— in a— in a world that I didn't grow in, in Syria. Right now with the war, people change. That's for sure. There's a lot of, I hate to say, but it's hatred at this point because everybody has this— has that feeling inside them that they want to side with their people— that, you know. So, I don't want him to feel like, \"Oh, Muslims are different than Christians,\" or even sects of Islam. I don't feel like our issue generally in Syria is between Muslims and Christians. It's more between sects of Islam. And that, in my opinion, is ridiculous. But, history repeats itself. Like every— this has happened with all religions, and it has happened with all civilizations. There's always going up and down. There's always this fight of power and money and things like that. So, yeah, I try to be honest with him to tell him, yes, we've had war. But, I tried to pass on my ideas. And, if he develops any ideas— I tried to search, now we have much more access than we did that kid, so I can show him videos. And you see a lot of those bloggers going to Syria. I mean, I've seen a few of them. What— I think one of them is from America, and he was there recently. And, he shared stuff so I was like, \"Come see, this is what I've been trying to cook for you. Look, he had that, see, it's very safe. It's pretty good at this point [chuckles].\" So, hopefully, I'm hoping sometime soon we'll go and he'll get to have his own, you know, memories and ideas and, you know, grow with them.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1777.32,1888.98"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/83","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Yeah, I hope— I hope he gets to.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1889.97,1891.89"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/84","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I hope so too. And, as we are very, like, welcoming, I know my— if my father was talking to you, he would be like, \"You should come, you are always welcome as well. And we have our house—\" [laughs]. So, anybody from JMU or anyone that wants to come, my father is, like, we have a house by the sea and another one that's on the mountain. And, right now, it's much better so my— and my father, since he's a radiologist, and he did his studies in France, he's always been responsible or— not responsible— like— what's the word? Sponsoring! Conferences. So, he knows very well how to do these things. He'll have you guys in, he'll tour you, he'll have everything there for you.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1892.28,1936.86"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/85","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: [unclear]- email you in a couple of months.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1937.37,1939.2"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/86","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yes! Yes, do so [both laugh].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1939.2,1943.43"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/87","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Let's talk about assimilation real quick. Like, how is that kind of coming here and with language and even just like different things that are different about the U.S.— like we— I know we talked about community and everything, but were there other aspects of coming here that you struggle with to like assimilate? Or did you feel the pressure to assimilate? Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1943.43,1964.16"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/88","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Maybe because of the fact that I grew up— like that I was born in Paris, and that my father had foreigners— friend— as friends. And, maybe because I used to come to the States, I don't feel that I had much of a pressure. Maybe, it's because of my Syrian background. And, because of coming from a war place. A lot of times, I felt like I needed to explain more, or justify and not— I don't know, it's not the right term to use, \"justify.\" It's more, explain more, or maybe expose people to different aspects of our world because a lot of people were like, \"Oh, woman are oppressed in Syria. Oh, you're not allowed to drive cars,\" for example. Maybe, even, like, Saudi Arabia has stopped that but I think that was the only country where women could enjoy cars in the Arab world. And, the fact that I was— that I'm not wearing the veil, hijab, on my head, a lot of people asked me— my mom wears one. But, all her sisters don't. And, and I didn't— a lot of people ask me, did I take it off because of coming to the States? So, I hear from different family members or from others that they feel that— they feel sometimes people looking at them differently. I haven't felt it so I cannot, you know, speak to it. But I will not say it's not— it doesn't happen. But I've, I've been— I've been lucky, let's say. Maybe, a lot of people say which,which is not really something racist of my people to say because we're not exposed to it as much, but they'll tell me like, \"You'll fit in— you fit in fine because you're white,\" people can't tell because of this and that. Unfortunately, because it's not something I grew up with, like, for example, two months ago, or maybe a month ago, my son was learning about Martin Luther King, and— and that— and that's not something I grew up with. So I have seen in movies I know what happened to African Americans and things like that. But, I cannot speak from experience, you know, so I don't like— or like teach is what I read to my son [?]. And, the same applies to difficulties here. I have heard my mom, because she wears the hijab, even though hers is not the common one you've seen Harrisonburg, she's, she— it's the common one you see in Syria. She'll be— some people, even Muslims would come tell her like, \"why don't you wear like longer clothes, not regular.\" She wears a hijab and just regular clothes. But, that's just— I feel like the different cultures like people from a certain country are used to doing things in a way and people in America are used to doing things in another way.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=1966.47,2147.07"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/89","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2148.93,2149.32"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/90","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I don't feel— I don't know if my son will feel it in school. My brother maybe has in Northern Virginia, even though it's much more— they have a much bigger mix than Harrisonburg, but I felt welcome in Harrisonburg, let's say. I worked in Bridgewater, too. And, a lot of people would be like, \"Oh, where are you from?\" Other people would say like, \"are you Russian, are you Ukrainian?\" Cuz I— or \"you have an accent.\" That's always what I've been told, \"you have an accent,\" even though I didn't know that, but people will hear it, you know [laughs]. And then like, \"yeah, I'm from Syria,\" and I take that as an opportunity to just to speak more of Syria— to shed a light on my country more.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2149.35,2188.14"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/91","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Do you feel like there's a pressure to represent your country? Like—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2189.37,2194.62"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/92","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: When I first came, yes. Yeah. And I avoided a lot of— I avoided meeting Arabs, to be honest. When I first came, I did not want to speak about war. I did not really want to speak about politics. And, I came right amongst when the war was, like, not— I think at its highest, because it stayed like— it started in 2011. We did not see it's coming. A lot of people will speak like, \"the president is a dictator, the people— people have no rights.\" I feel like it was a mix of things. And, anyway, our region has always been under that. Like, if you study history, if you go back to them, especially like this Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine— this, which was called the \"Great Syria\" a long time ago— that area has been a region of conflict throughout the years. So, we grew up learning that we are under pressure. Yes, the, the government does uses its way and I feel like every government has its way. And there's no clean politics, no matter what, in my opinion. So you do your best. You try to take what enriches you and your soul. And. I strive— I tried to stay away from politics, but that was always the topic. And, no matter who I'm with, if I'm from Syria, then I just feel the pressure. I am someone who— I am kind of one of those people. We call them the \"great people\" in Syria, which I'm on the neutral side, because I feel like I understand both, both sides. I don't like— I don't feel like there's a right answer in our situation [both speaking-unclear]. So yeah, maybe there was some pressure and at the end of the day, everybody will deliver their point of view. Unfortunately, no matter how unbiased you try to be, but there is the bias there for sure.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2194.89,2312.85"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/93","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: That is very true. So, I know Harrisonburg— how you said— did you feel like more welcome in or, like, more at home in Harrisonburg or NOVA [Northern Virginia]? And then, I know Harrisonburg has some pretty great services for immigrants. Did you use any of those?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2313.9,2330.88"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/94","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: I didn't. I should have. My father tried with me and I didn't, I don't— I feel sometimes I don't like to take advantage of things that are tools that are available to the public or to the common public, let's say, when I can do— when I can do the job that is gonna be done, like search the— searching the web or finding out what my options are. A lot of people told me like, \"reach out.\" I know there's, like, immigration services for the people in Harrisonburg. And, I've been thinking of it lately, just because of the fact that I can't— but I feel stuck here as sometimes. But, at first, I was a very perfectionist. Like, people were like, \"take— seek asylum,\" even though you came on a student visa. \"Just seek asylum and that way you'll get a green card faster,\" and this and that. And, I was like, \"I don't feel like I need it.\" Like, some people might need it more than I do. I don't want to take somebody's place. And the same applied to the immigration services. I didn't want to take somebody's turn who— when I could do, like, you know, the job on my own. I could research the— whatever I needed to know. But, maybe I'll— maybe I'll do so this year just so I can feel like, like I can travel at some point soon.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2331.51,2413.26"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/95","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Awesome. You mentioned earlier that you're an— you're the oldest grandchild and so I'm guessing you're the oldest daughter as well.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2414.97,2423.49"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/96","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2423.52,2423.85"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/97","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Well, how did that impact you? How does— I mean, I'm an oldest daughter so I kind of understand, like, the pressures that you do feel as an oldest to do certain things. I'm wondering if you felt that?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2425.26,2434.74"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/98","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah. Yeah, definitely [both speaking-unclear]. Did you— you can continue if you want to say something more.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2434.86,2440.05"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/99","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: —Oh, just having two parents who are high performing, you know—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2440.32,2443.41"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/100","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2443.44,2443.68"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/101","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: —in their jobs.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2443.68,2444.13"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/102","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2444.19,2444.55"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/103","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: So want to talk about that at all? How's that impacted, like, how your sisters who are here? Do they look to you, kind of thing?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2444.58,2451.48"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/104","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Maybe they do. Maybe I, sometimes, also pass the pressure to them, because I was always, like, an indie [?] child, you know, and I [unclear] to my parents. So, so let me tell you first, something that always— that people are always very shocked by: my parents are cousins. And, a lot of people are like \"Cousins? Isn't that like not allowed?,\" and I'm like, \"No, not in Syria.\" And, so my grandma's are sisters. And, I think I kind of feel like even though they're sisters, they both have different opinions in regards to life generally. And at the same time, they both have the same type of parenting. So, my mom and dad were pretty, like, you said, \"perfectionists,\" and they were, like, very good professionally. I do feel like I was the point of experiment, even though they think I was the most spoiled between all [laughs]. Yeah, we were very much of the lab rats for them, I think. I feel like, yes, I— I was always trying to be good— to be a good role model for the grandkids for the family. But I was always— I was also able to, I don't know, live a much more privileged life. In Syria, studying and working is not something you do. You basically study, go to school, finish school, and then you work unless you really, really have to work. You— most people just go to school, finish university, and then they move on to professional life. My siblings here, I feel like their experience has been, in my opinion, much better. Because when I started my first job, even though I did, like, work for my— in the magazine, translate some articles for my mom or something like that. It was always like, even if I worked for somebody else, or in the pharmacy, I was always that child that's coming from her parents. I was taking the— everyone was accommodating, let's say. But here, you only work from an early age— you understand life better. You are exposed to different, you know, relationships with different situations, so you gain much more experienced much quicker. So, even though my siblings, yes, do work and go to school, and they haven't had the spoiled life I had, they still, like, for example, as a child or as when I finished university, it wasn't an option for me to think that I wouldn't go and live abroad on my own or in a different city. My mom would not even think of that. But, then coming to the states and my sister got into VCU, my parents didn't think twice about it didn't say like, \"No, you are to stay here. You are to go to JMU.\" They knew it was a big opportunity for her and they let it happen. So I was like, \"Why did that happen to her? You would not have let me do things like that.\" But, I was very happy for her, at the same time. Like, I was encouraging. I was like, \"Yes, good way to go. I did not know you would let that happen but—,\" you know, different situations call for different things.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2451.96,2661.27"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/105","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: I can understand that for sure. I was an oldest, like, I never would have gotten away with that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2662.05,2666.79"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/106","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yes [both laugh]. Exactly!","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2666.82,2668.11"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/107","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: So is there anything else that you wanted to speak on about your experience? I'm all out of questions. So, if there's anything you wanted to speak on—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2670.12,2678.04"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/108","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: No, I feel like I talked a lot. People who are going to hear me will—  will be like, \"Hiba, you actually spoke and said a lot of things,\" some things a lot of people don't even know. But, I feel very, very, very honored to be part of this and very privileged to shed a light, about Syria and where I came from and— and I hope a lot of people will get to go see that part of the world. It adds up a lot to anybody's experience. And, I never took it for granted and I think if— in God's will, as we say, if the opportunity happens, I am trying to work on so many different ideas— maybe started as an online thing, but I would love to see like a cultural center happen here and a little cafe with the, like, Arabian— with the Syrian and Lebanese, I would say, because that's in the background, same thing [?]. And maybe it'll have you all someday at our house too [?].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2678.55,2740.29"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/109","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Yeah, that would be so cool. It's definitely— being a student is so interesting here because, you know, you are told and you do see the amazing like multicultural Harrisonburg, but you're not really part of it, like we are predominantly white school. And, it's a shame that there's not more of that, like, community engagement because every time— I've done a few things like this with people in the community, and every time it's, it's amazing. It's so enriching. It's so, like, you know, you see a whole other side of Harrisonburg that a lot of students just won't see.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2741.13,2775.36"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/110","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: And that's—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2775.75,2776.02"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/111","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: —you know—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2776.32,2776.62"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/112","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: —that's great. I mean, I loved it when— I didn't even know there was this podcast. So, when the— Allison contacted me, I opened and I was listening and I was like, \"Oh, I, I know this person. They were teaching my son Arabic. That's so cool. I never knew this, like, part of their life.\" But, yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2776.62,2793.15"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/113","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: So your son is learning Arabic?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2793.18,2794.59"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/114","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Yes. Well, when before COVID too, because—","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2794.86,2798.04"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/115","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2798.04,2798.43"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/116","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: —yeah, when COVID had— everything stopped, but I tried to keep it. So. but he was— I think it was the Lucy Sim Center, where they were having Arabic, like, school. But, yeah. I'm hoping if my idea happens and the cultural center happens together, then that will be something more available to the public and more, like ,part of the life in Harrisonburg because I feel like this city deserves to have that. Because, the community live up to the— live up to the aspect of being the \"friendly city.\" It has changed a lot since coming here, for sure.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2798.43,2837.7"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/117","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: In a good way?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2838.57,2839.35"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/118","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: In a very good way, yes.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2839.71,2841.06"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/119","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Okay, cool! Well, thank you so much for coming on here and sharing, especially those more painful or harder parts. I so appreciate that. And, it's been an honor to talk to you. Yeah, thank you so much. And thank you for signing the consent form. You— we'll send another one to you, after we, like, transcribe everything, but I'll keep you updated with all of that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2841.12,2866.14"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/120","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Okay, sounds good. Thank you.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2866.17,2868.12"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/121","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Thank you so much.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2868.15,2868.48"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/122","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Hiba Ali: Thank you. Nice to meet you all.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2868.48,2869.95"},{"id":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464/transcript/77635/annotation/123","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Jordan Zapp: Thank you, you too [unclear].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://jmu.aviaryplatform.com/collections/3230/collection_resources/145471/file/268464#t=2870.46,2872.32"}]}]}]}