Naye Idriss imparts her wisdom to prioritize mental health, Morrison, and Marx.

Name, School, Major, Hometown:  Naye Idriss, Columbia College, Double Major in Comparative Literature and Society, and Anthropology. From Beirut, Lebanon

Claim to fame: I court controversy 

Where are you going?

Absolutely no idea! Lebanon is in shambles..but so is nyc. Hopefully grad school in a couple years.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2024?

Unlearn the core (except Fanon, Morrison, and Marx) 

“DiScOUrSe” is only weaponised when the conversation is too uncomfortable/unsettling 

 Have fun don’t take yourself and your work toooo seriously, but make your mental health and happiness a priority always!!

“Back in my day…” 

We used to wear pants to class, and sometimes, as a treat, we could hug our friends

Favorite Columbia controversy?

People thinking israeli settler colonialism and apartheid is controversial…truly mindblowing! Columbia thinking it’s controversial that TAs should be treated like actual workers; There’s so much…this admin oof…xoxo  

What was your favorite class at Columbia?

Enclosures: Architecture of Captivity and Containment with Saidiya Hartman and Mabel Wilson; Language, Culture, and Power with Elizabeth Povinelli; Settler Colonialism in North America with Audra Simpson; Palestinian and Israeli Politics and Society with Joseph Massad; Anthropology of War with Nadia Abu El-Haj. 

Whom would you like to thank?

My teachers, my friends, my SJP fam and my ADP loved ones 

One thing to do before graduating:

As far as I’m concerned, as long as I don’t walk across a stage I have not graduated

Any regrets?

Gen Chem 1 and 2. Also, not going to Gen Chem 1 and 2

Image via Naye