Race, Ethnicity, Identity, or Culture - Alexis Ghaleb

    While studying abroad in Morocco, I’ve had the chance to learn about different communities that make up the cultural fabric of this country. One group that stands out to me is the Berber population, also known as the Amazigh. The Berbers are the Indigenous people of North Africa, with roots in Morocco that go back thousands of years. Despite their deep connection to this land, they’ve often been marginalized, especially when it comes to cultural visibility, political representation, and access to resources. According to The Journal of North African Studies, the Berber identity has historically been “denied or suppressed by Arab-centric national policies” in Morocco, leading to a lack of support for their language and traditions (Silverstein, 2010).

    What drew me to learning more about the Berbers is how present yet underrepresented they are. During our Tuesday Tour, I noticed Berber culture woven into Moroccan art, architecture, and language, but it’s often not explicitly acknowledged. Then our guide said that they were marginalized and not represented fully in Morocco, so I started to wonder how often do Berber farmers, business owners, or local leaders get the chance to represent themselves in bigger conversations? From a leadership perspective, I believe that creating inclusive spaces starts with recognizing whose stories have been overlooked. That means providing translation services for Tamazight (the Berber language) at public events, promoting Berber-led organizations in agriculture and education, and encouraging representation in policy-making decisions. But it also starts small, with questions, curiosity, and an openness to hear people’s lived experiences. I want to challenge myself and others in this program to listen more deeply and be intentional about learning from Berber individuals—not just about their culture, but about how they see the future of their communities.

    In the end, inclusion isn’t just about adding people into existing spaces. It’s about reshaping the space itself, making sure it reflects the diversity of the people in it. Learning about the Berbers has reminded me that real leadership means listening first, then lifting others up in ways that make them feel seen, respected, and valued.

Silverstein, Paul A. “The Amazigh Movement and the Moroccan State.” The Journal of     North African Studies, vol. 15, no. 2, 2010, pp. 223–234. Taylor & Francis Online,     https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?    article=1009&context=sociologyandanthropology-facultypubs.