Dionysus 6 of 9

THE PHOENICIANS (Owl Story)

A Lebanese poet who emigrated to the United States, Kahlil Gibran, b. Jan. 6, 1883, d. Apr. 10, 1931, is best known for his poetic parables and aphorisms, contained in such works as The Prophet (1923) and Sand and Foam (1926). Gibran was influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche (Ubermensch) but was also highly religious and dealt with such abstractions as God, love, and woman. The very scope of his subjects and the sentimentality with which he presents them are serious problems in his work, but these characteristics may well be the source of his popularity. He also wrote Arabic poetry and was a skillful artist, producing drawings similar in style and feeling to those by the English poet-illustrator William Blake.

Abu Madi, 1889-1957, was a Lebanese poet and journalist who emigrated to the United States and collaborated with Kahlil Gibran. He published several collections, of which The Brooks (1927) and The Thickets (1940) are the most notable. Nostalgia for happiness, philosophical skepticism about the purpose of life, optimism, egalitarianism, and "brotherly love" among humans are his main themes.

Arab Americans continue to make cultural contributions. Among prominent writers, the Lebanese-born poet-artist Kahlil Gibran is perhaps the most widely read and appreciated by American readers, and William Blatty (The Exorcist), children's author Naomi Shihab Nye, and Edward Said are also noted in literary circles. Dean of the White House press corps Helen Thomas and consumer advocate and third party presidential candidate Ralph Nader are legends in public "affairs."

In the field of entertainment, Arab American stars have included the actor-comic Danny Thomas, actors Kathy Najimy and Tony Shalhoub, singers Paul Anka and Paula Abdul, and Casey Kasem, "America's Top 40" disk jockey. Sports icons include Doug Flutie and Jeff George of the National Football League. Such business giants as J. M. Haggar (the clothing manufacturer) and Paul Orfalea (founder of Kinkos photocopy stores) are also among the many Arabs who have made their mark in America.
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• Dionysus
• Mysteries
• occult
• soul
• rebirth
• wisdom
• esoteric
• mythology
• Glen Kealey