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| Author Laila Lalami |
Citizenship is conditional for people who live outside the privileged race, religion, gender, and class. As a naturalized citizen, Lalami offers her exploration and learning about the power dynamics in a country that tells conflicting stories about its values and convictions. In “Conditional Citizens,” Laila Lalami describes her experiences and reflections as a naturalized American citizen from Morocco. She deftly and thoroughly ponders the confluences of gender, religion, and race biases in the experiences of newcomers to the United States. Lalami balances personal observations with historical truths on deeply embedded inequalities in American society.
A renowned novelist, Lalami possesses an exceptional gift for storytelling that shines through in this collection of essays. Beyond casual prejudice lobbed by border patrol agents, safety is undermined by systemic oppression through legislation that targets women, people of color, Arabs, and Muslims. Her powerful testimony, deeply personal and sympathetic, takes the reader across the cultures of Morocco and the United States, drawing similarities and contrasts.
In the opening chapter, “Allegiance,” Lalami vividly and compellingly contrasts the feelings of hope and belonging during her naturalization ceremony with the stark reality of blatant discrimination. Through the chapter titled “Borders,” Lalami discusses how border policies and walls weaponize ideas of othering and dehumanization. Belonging is elusive even among those who strive hard to assimilate and integrate into their adopted home. In “Inheritance,” Lalami ponders the intersection of gender and safety in the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Brent Kavanaugh. Christine Blasey Ford bravely spoke out about the trauma she experienced. Ford’s experience shows that even as they enjoy racial privilege, white women in America are conditional citizens whose stories are not to be believed or taken seriously.
Lalami’s writings reflect a critical time period with deleterious effects on the lives of everyday Americans, mirroring xenophobic fervor. Yet, she also reminds us that citizenship has always been conditional for most because white supremacist sentiments and policies have always alienated groups of people in America. The essays are not just poignant, but also timely and relevant as anti-immigrant hysteria continues to pervade national discourse.
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| More About Laila Lalami |