As I was reading Zeitoun, I kept on imagining a dystopic futuristic place. The kind of thing that would happened in a sci-fi movie or novel. There is no electricity, water shortage and limited modes of transportation. No human life was surrounding Zeitoun for a while. I got the end of the world vibes and Zeitoun being the last man in the world who had to look for any live remnants of the wreckage. Zeitoun is left to fend for himself and the people around him. I was wondering if you guys felt the same way with this depiction of New Orleans? In class, we discussed how Zeitoun’s experience could be a representative of people of New Orleans. I was wondering why the author decided to pick a minority family such as the Zeitouns. An immigrant and Muslim family with very diverse cultural backgrounds. The story would lose a significant part of it. I know the fact that the story is not about a stereotypical white family leaving in New Orleans has kept me reading and enticed. There is a whole different feel to the family and the author makes us fall in love with characters in book. Have you felt the same about the book?

Happy reading.

Gloria Anzaldua states, ”Until I am free to write bilingually and switch codes without having always to translate, while I still have to speak English or Spanish when I would rather speak Spanglish, and as long as I have to accommodate the English speakers rather than having them accommodate me, my tongue will be illegitimate.” This statement stood out to me because I usually find myself having to switch my between my languages. I was born and raised in Kenya but my family is ethnically Somali, I have had to justify me being Somali when I did not speak the language. It was until I learnt to read and write in Somali that my family members viewed me as a full Somali. Coming to America I had to switch up my language to accommodate people around me, not only my language but my accents to make sure people get what I am saying. I dislike how I am told to speak standard English in front of people to act more civilized and be presentable. Gloria also states that you have to learn the language to be present in the culture. Because language is such a major part of the culture, learning the language should be the first investment.