Said’s cultural criticism is inseparable from his Palestinian identity and its risks

Evidence

For Edward Said is not only a cultural critic, he is also a Palestinian. Much that is splendid in his work is connected with the fact that he has tried to do honour to that origin; and he has done so against all odds, to the full extent of his capacity, by stepping outside the boundaries of his academic discipline and original intellectual formation, under no compulsion of profession or fame, in no pursuit of personal gain - in fact, at frightening risk to himself. — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory, 631

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s research question about whether essentialist identity can be held strategically or ironically - Ahmad flags Said’s Palestinian origin as the ground of his critical work rather than a performative construct. — connects to: Said’s Palestinian partisanship earned him assassination threats and real physical risk — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory: Nations, Classes, Literatures, 279

Broader Connections

• Said’s Palestinian partisanship earned him assassination threats and real physical risk #exemplifies (0.90) — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory, 279