Tell me about yourself, and what you do:My name is Rabia Chaudry, I am an author, attorney, and advocate. I’ve spent most of my career doing civil rights and federal immigration law. For the last several years, I’ve been working in wrongful convictions, and wrote a NY Times best selling book called Adnan’s story which was later turned into an HBO series called The Case Against Adnan Syed. I also started a podcast called Undisclosed, which explores the holes within Adnan’s Case, along with issues with the legal system.
Why did you choose to work in this field?:
Was there a particular incident that ended up confirming your choice in career?: I certainly think the success of the podcast “Serial” certainly did confirm my choice the approach the legal system through the media, which a lot of lawyers do not do. A lot of lawyers like the keep the legal system close, but I really believe that the media can help make a difference, because the legal system is very broken. So, these successes and other podcasts helping to exonerate several people in the last few years show that this is making the change.
How do you think that this career has affected your connection to the idea of being “Asian”, and what does that mean to you?:I have chosen to have a career that is very public, and there is no way for me to avoid the fact that I am a practicing, observant Muslim who wears a hijab. There was a time where I would have avoided doing a lot of public work because of there reasons. Then I realized, those are things that I cannot change in myself. So then I had to decide whether those are things that were going to hold me back from what I’m good at, and enjoy to do, or I can just continue onwards. When I took the plunge, which was frightening to me, it was a test to see how society would see me, as someone talking about these important issues. Most people did not pay attention to the way I looked. This was really confirming to me, and raised my confidence in regards to my identity.
Who is someone who has inspired you through your journey?:I have gotten inspiration from a lot of activists in criminal justice like Bryan Stevenson. Certainly I have found inspiration from activists like Malala and others who were in the face of adversity and fought for what they believed in, and kept going. When you decide to be an activist, you are always fighting odds, and against the odds. You don’t know if you’ll make a change, or if the change will be made in your lifetime. I find inspiration from activists who own their identity, and own their beliefs through their identity, and don’t allow themselves to be bullied by critics.
What is some advice you can offer to young girls who are hoping to be where you are right now?:I would tell people to never compete against anyone else. That’s not he real competition. Compete against yourself. Always try to be the better version of yourself. Always do something you enjoy, and if you can’t, keep going, because you develop skills of resilience. In the hardest times, they will help you to build character. Your journey is your journey, and your success will not look like anyone else’s success. Do not measure success by fame, measure it by satisfaction.
