A review by sashahc
Inara: Light of Utopia by Yaffa As

emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing slow-paced

5.0

In a time where pinkwashing is used against Palestine as a pretext for genocide, it feels especially important to include the speculative voices of LGBTQ+ Palestinians.  “Inara: Light of Utopia,” edited by Mx Yaffa AS, is a collection of stories, poems, and art by queer Palestinians from around the world collectively imagining free Falasteen, a utopia that comes after occupied Palestine and the fall of capitalist regimes throughout the world.   It is rich with love for the land and imagines deep inclusivity and mutual aid. It is full of flavors and sights and the warmth of family and community.  It made me wish for a free Falasteen, as well.  I want to see that future.

Yaffa: “I think that’s absolutely necessary in any resistance movement is to find modalities that are fully accessible for everyone. Like, not every, not everyone could create a giant mural. I love that people can do that not everyone can can make music, I love that some people can do that. Not everyone can write novels. I love that people can do that. Poetry, though, for the most part, whether it’s poetry, as in like written or even like in storytelling and verbal exchanges. Poetry is almost accessible by everybody.”

Yaffa (They/She) is an acclaimed disabled, autistic, trans, queer, Muslim, and indigenous Palestinian. They are the executive Director of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) & author of Blood Orange. In a Free Falasteen, Yaffa is a death worker and spirit healer.