Myriam Fares: The Lebanese singer who faced flak for her 'racist' new single 'Goumi'

Here's why Myriam Fares is making headlines:

Let’s Talk About: Myriam Fares
You mean the Lebanese singer?

You know about her?
Yes. Sorry to disappoint you. She is “Queen of Stage” in the Arab media.

View this post on Instagram

To the lovely team who worked from the bottom of their heart to make this music video happen, I would like to thank you one by one : - my management and production company @myriammusicofficial I am so lucky to have you in my life, you are my biggest support and the best team anyone can ever ask for. - producer : @joyceabirached you are such a hardworking person. - DOP: @youssefnassar it's our first music video together and I'm sure it won't be the last . - production designer : @danhhaddad you are such a perfectionist and you gave us the best result we can ask for. -stylist : @natalieeldaccach your passion & dedication are the key to your success. -post production: @gaellesassine you are the best ever. And to the rest of team you did an amazing job thank you so much ❤

A post shared by Myriam Fares (@myriamfares) on Dec 14, 2018 at 11:22am PST

So you also know the latest?
Noo, not quite; a new single?

Well, yes after a gap of a few months. It is called Goumi and has an Arab-African theme. But there’s more than that. She painted herself black for her latest single. A large wig too.
Black to mean signify African? Really? That doesn’t sound quite apt.

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#Myriamees you guys are the best #GOUMI

A post shared by Myriam Fares (@myriamfares) on Dec 13, 2018 at 11:15am PST

Precisely. She’s got some flak for that and the routine has been called racist.
I will tell you why. You know about the blackface custom right? In the 19th century, American white actors would put grease on their faces to act as African caricatures. That was downright racist.

No, I didn’t know that. Guess not many in the Arab world would either. By the way Myriam’s got a fair amount of praise for the single too.
Must be die-hard fans.

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The past period was a very important stage in my life, I was afraid, I cried, I was falling apart. Your love and thoughts surrounded me with all the positivity in the world and I stood up again. I say: "Enjoy your life...every moment is a blessing" and always believe that even the worst times are as per God’s will for your own good and he will guide you to make it through. Here I am back and I'm more than happy to share with you my latest Hit & Music Video #Goumi made with so much love and passion. Hit the link in the bio and enjoy it ❤

A post shared by Myriam Fares (@myriamfares) on Dec 12, 2018 at 6:12am PST

Yes. She has plenty of them. And she is coming back from a period of illness. This was a sort of come back. She had posted a rather emotional message with her song video.
Just tells you how you can go wrong with all good intentions. She is one of the few Arab musicians who perform choreographed dance routines while they perform on stage.

You really know about the Arab scene it seems. So tell me what does Goumi mean?
The title of the single? Sorry, I am stumped.

It means ‘get up’.
Well, Goumi then. Get up. Am sure Myriam will be performing somewhere soon. Let’s go.