What did you learn from the film about Nadia Murad and the representation of her identity? How would she like to be represented?

While Nadia Murad is labeled as both a refugee and an activist, she explains, “I wish people knew me as an excellent seamstress, as an excellent athlete, as an excellent student, as an excellent makeup artist, as an excellent farmer. I don’t want people to know me as a victim of ISIS terrorism.” Yet this is not the image of her we see projected to the world. Why does the identity she describes in that quote remain in the background?

In what ways does how others views us impact how we view ourselves? Do you feel impacted by how your classmates, peers, friends or society see you? How might you feel if the way they see you is not how you view yourself?

Do you think Murad feels she is in control of her identity? Why or why not?

Murad Ismael explains that Nadia Murad has received threats from ISIS militants who are upset that she is speaking out against them. Why do you think she continues to raise her voice despite these dangers?

Murad reflects on her identity and explains, “They say I’m an activist, but inside no matter what the world gives me, I still see myself as that worthless person, that person who was enslaved for no reason. I’ll see myself as a person of worth on the day when terrorists are brought to justice.” How does Murad’s understanding of who she is differ from how the world seems to see her? What would need to change to make her feel differently? What does her self-perception suggest to you in terms of her ongoing trauma as a survivor?