Freedom to Write Lecture

Egyptian novelist, psychiatrist, and activist Nawal El Saadawi delivered the fourth annual PEN World Voices Arthur Miller Freedom to Write Lecture. Topics included a subtle lack of freedom to write in the United States, the domination of language such as “Third World,” "Middle East" and “neocolonial,” science and religion, and identity. Following her lecture she talked with Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah about her life and work. For more than 50 years, Dr. Saadawi has written books that focus on identity, sexuality, and the legal status of women and has continued her work despite the fact that these activities cost her her position as Egypt’s director of public health and led to imprisonment, threats to her life, and exile. She is the author of over 40 books and founder and president of The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association. They were on seated on stage in the Great Hall of Cooper Union. This event at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2009, was cosponsored by Cooper Union. close