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Madafeh: Our guest: Jenan A. Matari, Palestinian Storyteller, Influencer.

  • Palestine Museum US 1764 Litchfield Turnpike, Suite 200 Woodbridge, CT, 06525 United States (map)

Please click here to register to attend this event.

The program begins at 12:00 PM US EDT; 18:00 Europe; 19:00 Palestine; 17:00 UK.

Jenan A. Matari is a Palestinian storyteller focused on amplifying Indigenous storytelling, particularly from Palestinian and other marginalized communities. Through her work, she highlights the struggles of Indigenous peoples globally, weaving narratives of resistance, resilience, and liberation into her advocacy for gender-based violence prevention and climate justice.

Jenan’s storytelling centers on preserving cultural heritage and empowering Indigenous voices to lead the fight for their rights and autonomy.

The Genocide in Gaza has profoundly altered the landscape of media coverage, challenging the credibility of mainstream outlets. Many observers have noted a growing perception that these platforms often fail to present an accurate or complete picture of the situation, frequently aligning with prevailing narratives that omit critical perspectives. As a result, there has been a notable shift towards alternative sources of information, particularly those emerging from individuals who document their experiences and observations directly from the ground.

In this context, social media has become a vital tool for grassroots reporting. Individuals like Jenan A. Matari have stepped into the role of citizen journalists, leveraging platforms such as Instagram to share direct reports of raw, unfiltered accounts of daily life amid carnage and horrifying conditions that defy description. With 346,000 followers, Jenan represents the new wave of influencers and storytellers who are not only capturing the realities of life in Gaza but also fostering a more nuanced understanding of the Palestinian experience.

Join us for a conversation with Jenan A. Matari as we explore the crucial role social media influencers play in shaping narratives around Gaza and Palestine. We will discuss how these new voices contribute to the broader discourse, offering insights and perspectives that are often deliberately overlooked by traditional media. Through their storytelling, they provide a counter-narrative, promoting awareness and understanding in a landscape marked by misinformation and erasure of anything Palestine.