Oakville Reads discussion
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The Illegal
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Question #2: A timely read
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Feb 03, 2016 10:20AM
The Illegal is a timely read. Have current world events influenced your reading experience and/or reaction to this novel?
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Mod
That being said, Hill is skilled at locating and fleshing out subjects that are universally relevant. In some ways, those stories will always feel timely.
To quote Emily, I think I was also "turned off" by a fictionalized country. I did seem to get over that... but because it was a fictional country, I did not relate it to current world events all that much. I like to consider myself as a very accepting person, whether it be race, religion, sexuality, etc. Even though this is a work of fiction, the prejudice against Keita was very sad to me because people still face different levels of this in 2016.
On a happy note, Donald Trump will not get elected so we won't have to listen to his racist comments anymore!
Mod
I hope you're right about Donald Trump not getting elected, Dana!
I agree that we see the types of discrimination and marginalization in our world that we see in Hill's fictional world. Africtown may be fictional but I'm sure places just like it really exist.
I agree that the book is timely, but in my mind for another reason., I did not immediately link this to Syrian refugees. I drew a strong parallel with the plight of Canada's indigenous people. as I read the book Many live in squalor without plumbing, without access to fresh water, with a poor education system, etc. They are bullied and brutalized and there is a chasm between many of them and many of us. Most recently, there is a legitimate "rising up" to demand an equal voice. I am interested in what other people thought when they read this book.
Mod
I'm so glad that you drew the parallel with Canada's indigenous people, Susan. I didn't think of it when I was reading the book, but it's so true. And of course the plight of many missing and murdered aboriginal women has been ignored for too long, like the plight of Veronica who was deported to Zantoroland and murdered. We pride ourselves on being such a fair and generous country but have communities living in squalor as you suggested. I hope we have turned a corner in creating a good relationship with indigenous people, as there seems to be a growing will to do so among Canadians.
As I read, I thought more about communities in Africa that have formed using shipping containers for housing. I have only seen them depicted in film or documentary. It's so hard to imagine living in those conditions.
I see how the analogy with indigenous peoples could be made here. For me, The Illegal points to all people who are marginalized in their own countries or elsewhere. AfricTown reminded me very much of the setting for Slumdog Millionaire. Recently, I heard Wab Kinew speak very powerfully about truth, reconciliation and forgiveness among the indigineous peoples of Canada, the government and all of us who are Canadian citizens...am hoping with Trudeau in power that the indigenous peoples here will achieve everything they wish and hope for! It is difficult to accept our own responsibility in what has happened to such a peaceful and wise people, but our own accountability is crucial to moving forward. If you have not already read the TRC (Truth & Reconciliation Commission) report on this matter, the library has hard copies, but the summary (over 500 pages) is also available in the public domain at http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitu...
I agree with all of you, drawing analogies with indigenous people and other marginilized groups. I am reading The Inconvenient Indian which was finalist for Canada Reads last year and it is quite a comprehensive review of what these groups have gone through. As Allison, I really hope this government do something significative in the right direction. So yes I find the book very timely and parallel with the situations that we are currently facing as it has been mentioned in the comments, the Syrian Refugees, people risking their lives and dying in boats trying to leave their countries, the indigenous people here in Canada and in the US, the latin immigrants in the US, and we can continue on and on. The subject of marginalization, persecution and violation of rights of a group of people of particular origin, race, religion is a problem as old and persistent as human kind and probably every country has a history of alienation and discrimination.
I used to live in California and this type of issues were brought up often, should illegal immigrants be issued driver's license? Should schools require identification of the parents?,
Someone mentioned Trump and that is a clear example of how people can get stirred up by someone by just blaming all the problems they have on specific groups of people as he is doing with the Latin, Muslims and in general with immigrants. How come so many people fall for that is beyond comprehension.
Rocio wrote: "I agree with all of you, drawing analogies with indigenous people and other marginilized groups. I am reading The Inconvenient Indian which was finalist for Canada Reads last year and it is quite a..."Rocio - I really enjoyed The Inconvenient Indian and learned a lot that I was never taught in history class. I have passed the book along to several people. Hope you like it to.
Rocio and Susan, we are slated to do an indigenous read for June, and while we've picked Wab Kinew's new memoir, The reason you walk, your comments make me realize that we will have to include a discussion on aboriginal works in general. I am already looking forward to that discussion ... I will have to get my hands on the Inconvenient Indian, a book that has been on my to-read list for some time ... I am about to tackle Birdie, which is currently on the Canada Reads list for 2016. I wonder if anyone here has read that one yet?
I definitely drew a parallel with the Syrian refugees arriving by boat on the Greek coast but also many other boat people in different time periods, and the Mexican workers living illegally in the US. For me, however, Africville is a more vivid reminder of the Townships in South Africa as they existed under apartheid. Labour pools for the neighbouring white cities, they had little infrastructure, very substandard services and few, if any, amenities.
Ruth wrote: "I definitely drew a parallel with the Syrian refugees arriving by boat on the Greek coast but also many other boat people in different time periods, and the Mexican workers living illegally in the ..."I agree, Ruth, about your comparison to South African townships during apartheid. That's an excellent analogy.
Mod
Lawrence Hill did cite the Townships in South Africa as his inspiration for Africville in a recent CBC radio interview with Shelagh Rogers. He said they are such a contrast with Cape Town, which is one of the richest communities anywhere.
Susan wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I definitely drew a parallel with the Syrian refugees arriving by boat on the Greek coast but also many other boat people in different time periods, and the Mexican workers living ille..."Very interesting, Susan...do you have a link to the CBC interview by any chance?
Mod
Yes, here's the link:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thenextchapte...
Enjoy!
