TEDxBeirut - Najat Rizk - The day I challenged the forbidden

Najat Rizk
Ceo / Partner at Firehorse

www.firehorse.me
Facebook: najat.rizk
Twitter: @najatrizk

Najat is at the forefront of socio-political programmes and documentary production across the Arab World. After serving as a Channel Manager for Orbit Satellite Channel, Al Thaniya television and as Head of Operations in Italy for LBC Network, she joined Firehorse Films in 1999. Firehorse was voted the second fastest growing company in Lebanon in 2010 and Najat won acclaim as the second most successful CEO in Lebanon by Harvard University.

With over 18 years of experience, Najat is a lead producer and manager of a wide range of programming activities on current affairs, documentaries and corporate films in the Arab World. Firehorse's tagline "Making Television Worth Watching", attests to her commitment to produce knowledge-based and innovative media that engages audiences everywhere.

Najat's name has left her personal mark on a number of globally acclaimed documentaries touching crucial topics such as women empowerment, religion, civilian-military relations, and political investigations in the region. These have included Al Mokayada al Kobra (The Great Trade-off --on the Hezbollah/Israeli political prisoners), Mojtamaat al Diniya (Religions of the World), Egyptian Genesis, From Herat to Baghdad and The Living Martyr:Hizbollah Unveiled.
Najat has been the spokesperson at a number of regional and international conferences, where she brings to her audience real case studies on media as a way to influence reality and create impact.


About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Lebanon
• Arabic
• TEDxBeirut
• Beirut
• Media
• Film
• Documentary

[morninglory4]

@morninglory4 I know it sounds extreme but it's just an example. So children who happen to be 'darker' skinned are given less opportunities than those who aren't and considered 'dense' ... that's certainly a nurtured trait and not due to nature. But the idea of the 'other' and superiority over the 'other' applies. The change needs to be global and linguistic! We have a bumpy road ahead!

[morninglory4]

@standardguru8 That's true too. However I think it's a human trait to think of the other Lebanese or otherwise. I am Iraqi who's parents lived in Syria and spent most of their lives in Lebanon and the U.A.E. I've had exposure to many nationalities and cultures both Arab and non-Arab and I see a pattern. I was in the Dominican Republic in April and found out that even amongst those who are darker skinned in the same country there is what they call "Shadism" Can you imagine?!

[standardguru8]

@morninglory4 Sadly, you're right and it's true that there are notions of "otherness" all over the Lebanese areas and society, but, I would at least let go of comments such as "I had to let go of all my wardrobe to go to Dahieh", how would a person from Dahyeh in the audience feel? pretty much like they're being insulted probably.

[morninglory4]

@standardguru8 I've been thinking about the idea of the 'other' for a very long time. It is also a normal way of speaking across the board And it's really hard to talk about 'others' without using the term. Every time I begin a conversation where 'us' and 'them' is concerned I have to explain that I don't mean the referral condescendingly. I also think it is a linguistic limitation... how else do you converse about these issues without using such terms even when you don't mean them in a bad way?

[Fadi705]

Najat we are proud of you you deserve all the best - Sylvana - Fady

[standardguru8]

like because she means well, and it's about time we think beyond constructed limitations here. dislike because of a still condescending attitude towards "the other" (and still promoting the "they" and "us" to begin with) and not just between the lines. sad because speaking like that is normal in Lebanon, in all communities.