2007 POINT SCHOLARS

Ali Abbas

DePaul University

Philosophy

Ali was born in Carol Stream, Illinois after his parents fled their invaded home country of Lebanon. He spent many years back in his homeland and carries on the tradition of resistance his parents invoked against the invasion and occupation by applying their teachings of empathy, compassion, and social justice to contemporary issues concerning the marginalized. After coming out at the end of his senior year in high school, Ali faced much objection by his parents, but equally as much alienation from the LGBTQ community. His past volunteer work focused on raising awareness of LGBTQ issues on a global scale as well as opposing hateful social policies within gay communities. Currently a philosophy major and published writer in several Chicago newspapers, Ali aims to use his writing to create discourse on LGBTQ resistance to normative as well as advocate for greater acceptance within the LGBTQ community.

In Ali's own words: “Once we can understand the arbitrary destruction of oppression, we can band together making the world an easier place to be a woman, a Muslim, an Arab, LGBTQ, a person of color, and an individual. The work is twofold- the world must become more accepting of LGBTQ individuals and people of color while the LGBTQ community must become more accepting of racial and gender diversity. No longer can the white masculine male phantom dominate and seduce our ideals and goals. The time has come to look back to the original but unspoken goal of pride, justice and liberation for people of all colors, preferences, ages, beliefs, and sex. Only then can the hungry be fed, the shivering warm, and the oppressed liberated.”