The definition of a diatribe is as follows: (this is from mixed sources throughout the Interweb – Merriam-Webster/Free Dictionary.com/Wiktionary.. by the way)
It’s an ironic or satirical criticism or an aggressive expression – an abusive, bitter of forceful attack and bitter denunciation – it can be a speech or a piece of writing. A text.
'The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe' by Yassin Alsalman aka The Narcycist
Yassin Alsalman is an Iraqi Canadian academic form Montreal, Quebec. “Diatribes” is the result of his Masters Thesis where he looked at the immigrant identity informed by his connection to the geographic region referred to commonly as the Middle East. He however would rather not use “The Middle East” but something which characterises the region by its Arabic population, culture and communities.
In addition to his academic career, Alsalman is also recognised as a hip hop artist who goes under the moniker: The Narcycist. A name which he chose to express himself and his view of society. He believes that ultimately, we are living in a world where the individual will tend to put themselves first over others. Altruistic living, where maybe we can’t or don’t help our peers or others as much as we could or should. His work as The Narcycist, falls under the umbrella genre: Arabic Hip Hop or rap. Indeed, he does use his work as a vehicle to explore Arabic identity and how the media and broader society treats his ethnic group.
Here’s the audio for an interview I did with Yassin during his residency at the Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) in Parramatta:
Yassin Alsalman aka The Narcycist (Courtesy of ICE)
Textually Transmitted Stories 
Posted on May 26, 2011
0