Della Cassia

“Otherness”, as in different cultures, languages, traditions, and backgrounds often creates misunderstanding for those unfamiliar with it. How many times have you heard that Arab mothers are overbearing or too strict? That women are only expected to stay home and raise families? Or that everyone in the Middle East talks, acts, prays, and behaves the same way? Increasingly, first and second-generation Arab content creators are using humor and parody to challenge those assumptions.

The ma'amoul cookie can be filled with dates, walnuts or pistachios and served with traditional Lebanese coffee. The first time I saw the “Easter Bunny” was at a mall in Southfield, Michigan, in 1989—I was 17. The first time I heard of an Easter Basket? When I had to figure out how to make one for my daughter. That’s because growing up in Lebanon, my Easter revolved around three things: Faith, ma’amoul (also spelled mamoul or maamoul), and big chocolate eggs.

They told me not to blink, but I was too overwhelmed learning how to become a mother. They told me to savor every minute, but I was too distracted guiding your first steps and teaching you to count to 10. They told me motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, but I was determined to Pinterest every meal and birthday party. They told me I’d miss your preschool years, but I was eager for you to mature and become independent.