Fatima Bhutto [The Outlier]

Born into one of Pakistan’s most influential political dynasties, Fatima Bhutto is the granddaughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the niece of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and daughter of Murtaza Bhutto, but she has emerged as a political powerhouse in her own right. An author, journalist and poet, Fatima Bhutto’s rise to prominence began with the publication of her first book, a collection of poems, titled Whispers of the Desert. Her book titled 8.50 a.m. 8th October 2005 records those affected by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. She is a tenacious supporter of democracy, critical of the birthright policies of her late aunt’s “Bhutto cult,” and her latest book, Songs of Blood and Sword: A Daughter’s Memoir, recounts the tumultuous history of the Bhutto family.

Describe your personality in 10 words or less.
Loyal.

If you were reincarnated, who or what would you like to come back as?
I’m not sure it works that way; I don’t think you get to choose.

Name your favorite …
Contemporary musician : This is entirely mood dependent. At this very moment I’m listening to Beirut.
Comfort food : Arabic food, all of it.
Wild animal : dolphin
Instrument : drums, only because I imagine I might be able to learn how to play them.
Founding Father : I’m afraid I don’t have one of those. Do you mean to suggest most people do?

What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishment?
My work ethic.

What are you pissed about right now?
Pakistan’s continuing flood crisis. The country has been inundated by rainwater for the second year running thanks to gross political mismanagement and corruption. In Sindh, 5 million people are still suffering the effects of the flood — some three months after the monsoons — and are homeless, without access to medical aidand food. (http://www.merlinusa.org provides medical relief to conflict zones around the world. If you’re interested please look it up and support its relief efforts in Pakistan)

What tunes would be on the five-song playlist to your life?
I couldn’t even give you the play list to last week. It changes constantly. But this week there would be a bit of Otis Redding, a little Dolly Parton, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Kanye West. And I’m also listening to a charming Pakistani punk band, The Kominas, this week, too.

What is your greatest fear?
That people have already become complacent about Pakistan. That Pakistan’s corruption doesn’t bother anyone anymore, regardless of its effects.

Who is the most interesting person you have ever met (and why)?
Professor Dennis Dalton. He taught me political theory in college and changed how I saw the world. His book on Mahatma Gandhi should be on every shelf.

Name three things you cannot live without.
Books. I can live without most other things.

You get one wish …
Justice.

Source: http://www.malibumag.com/site/article/fatima_bhutto_the_outlier/