Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America

Us. Sometimes it takes the talent of a gifted writer to describe experiences of living that illuminate both those who have similar experience as well as those who think the world just isn’t that way. In her book titled, Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America, Laila Lalami describes her experience in the United States in the context of being a citizen and also receiving messages that she doesn’t belong here. If you continue to think in terms of a melting pot, you’re likely to revise that view after reading this book. Lalami holds us all to task at the reality of who we mean whenever we say, “we.” What does it mean today to be “one of us?” How welcoming are we to fellow citizens who don’t look or sound like “us?” What are the things we do every day to welcome others or to send them the message that they do not belong? Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Conditional Citizens from amazon.com.