I Am Arab: Lebanese Artist Remie Akl and Her Bold Calls For Change
While a significant number of rebel female troops have existed for a long time, women’s insurgency started taking a different form in recent years, especially with the introduction of the internet’s enthralling interactive social media platforms giving women the leverage of sharing their counter thoughts with everyone, freely.
Remie Akl, new blood that has been introduced last year to the music scene, sure has taken the concept of ‘rebel’ to a whole new level. And by rebel, we mean here the broader meaning, from fighting against patriarchal mindsets and stereotypical portrayals of women to revolting against a whole national government. Not only has the young lady been resisting misconceptions and calling for change, but she has also been manifesting the regression of women’s rights in the Middle East through her artistic videos that speak volumes on proactivity, sharing her rebellious thoughts and calls for action with the world.
A rebel’s blood is clearly running through her veins, as she decided to kick off her artistic career last year with her first song tackling Arab women’s struggles living in a patriarchal society, with bold and glaring statements cast in a positive light. The song is simply a manifestation of the patriarchal mentality Arab women have been suffering from. How girls have been spoon-fed the concept of “dress to impress” as well as acknowledge the fact they should suppress their free wills and dreams because they are not equal to the other gender. Despite it all, she loves being Arab, but she’d never accepted a man imposing the same conceptions that have been present gaudily down her throat because, unlike the status quo, she reserves the right to choose her significant other.
Since she’s a Lebanese citizen living in Beirut, she has been fiercely and bravely opposing the corrupt political system, long before the explosion. She started the fight a whole year ago. Under the hashtag of #IWantaNewMemory #Rage, you’ll find a series of daring video portrayals of all the political unrest, capturing a movement that mirrored its counterparts, that will eventually propel you to consider following her lead.
After the explosion, the young artist waged an even bigger war, pointing out that Lebanon’s government and their negligence is the subject of her wrath, pushing people to join protests and going as far as saying that being neutral in situations of injustice would make of you a member of the oppressor’s team, highlighting the corruption and economic woes Lebanon has been suffering through glimpses in her Instagram videos.
Continuing down the path of women’s empowerment, the artist has been resisting the stereotypical ‘female’ look, with her unconventional bangs, edgy style and extreme poses, adamant to break the social chains women are tied down by in her quest to change the stereotypical damsel in distress figure, embedding a more powerful energy instead.
The powerful and brave choice she embraces makes her live in the limelight as one of the most daring, bold, renowned artists. Indeed, she is a talent to be reckoned with, one who is never tired of venturing into new territory, breaking the rules, and gradually paving the way for a better tomorrow.
