A Perspective from a Progressive Chaldean Girl

By Mena Hannakachl

Redefining what it means to be a “progressive Chaldean” is long overdue. I respect the reasons why Chaldeans lean toward the right, especially considering the history of fighting to preserve the culture’s identity, religion, and language. I understand the challenges of keeping our traditions, beliefs, and behaviors alive amidst other communities. However, I believe there is room for progression in our community– space to accept people who don’t fit the mold.

I am one of them. I am not a traditional Chaldean girl. I am a progressive Chaldean girl. I am a Chaldean girl who had a different background and upbringing. I was born in Iraq, but I lived in the United Arab Emirates before immigrating to the States at the age of thirteen.

This experience gives me a unique perspective. I didn’t grow up within a typical Chaldean space. Being an openly progressive Chaldean is not an act of rebellion or rejection of my culture; rather, it is an act of courage, inspiration, and pride to find fellow progressive Chaldeans who aren’t afraid to take up space. I argue for the acceptance of progressiveness within the Chaldean community. My aim is to shed light on the importance of cultivating an inclusive and diverse space for fellow progressive Chaldeans.

Recently, I shared my progressive voice through a memoir essay titled, “What Chaldean Girls Are.” In it, I explore my experiences as an immigrant Chaldean woman, challenging communal expectations and delving into profound themes such as cultural identity, ideological perspectives, and communal desperation.

Upon its release, my piece resonated with many Chaldeans and people from different backgrounds as it touches on many universal themes. My hope through the memoir is to start a dialogue on what it means to be a progressive Chaldean in our community. By sharing my experiences, I hope to foster a diversity of perspectives that extend beyond traditional viewpoints.

While my ideals are often seen as a shift away from my culture, my push for diversity and inclusion in the community is not an attempt of assimilation or so called “whitewashing.” It is a call for the community to consider a different progressive perspective. Upon finding my voice as a progressive Chaldean girl, I have a few thoughts on who we are.

To be a progressive Chaldean girl is to embrace one’s cultural roots but not be constrained or defined by cultural expectations. It’s not a defiance to challenge the status quo, but rather a necessary act to foster change. 

To be a progressive Chaldean girl is to be an agent of change, a force for inclusivity and acceptance, breaking down the barriers of prejudice that have held us back for far too long as a community—all in the name of “being Chaldean.”

I want to make it clear that being a progressive Chaldean girl does not mean abandoning our cultural identity. It means enriching our culture with new perspectives, fostering dialogue between generations, and forging a space that is both respectful of the culture but open to the possibility of change.

I think there is room to foster acceptance and build a community where our differences are celebrated. I believe we can create a community where we are defined not by expectations but by the authenticity that we bring to the world.