Iraq has encountered consistent upheaval for the past half-century. Most Americans know parts of that story from the news. What most Americans, like myself, don’t know is what that story looks like on the ground, in individual lives. They don’t appreciate how US policy has affected common life, mainly because they haven’t come into contact with an Iraqi. Instead, prejudice, bigotry, and/or cultural bias tends to fill that void.
To address that problem, Hassan has written this memoir of her life. She is an accomplished writer in Arabic with academic credentials and many awards. As is obvious from her life story, a lack of cultural stability has negatively impacted her life. When combined with cultural misogyny, Hassan’s entrapment in an oppressed situation becomes clear.
Most Americans, myself included, do not appreciate how the Iraqi wars, preceded by the Iran-Iraq war, have decimated the cultural fabric of Iraq. Historically, the Second Iraq War was followed by a nihilistic and destructive era in the country. Hassan’s account makes clear why this was so, instead of the renaissance of freedom that George W. Bush promised. Iraqi culture had already been oppressed by 25 prior years of military fighting and death. As documented here, Hassan’s never-ending quest to lead a decent life is laudable and poised to inspire any compassionate reader.
It took about 100 pages to adjust to the style of Hutchins’ translation, from what I assume was originally in Arabic. However, I soon was enveloped into the narrative, and worries about style seemed to fade away, replaced by worries about Hassan’s well-being. This is a story of a human determined to overcome despite the worst that humanity has to offer. I found much to contemplate.
The world has entered an era where refugees are becoming more common. Too many international crises leave individuals homeless and having to flee for their lives. How quickly we forget that white Europe encountered the same in 1945, less than a century ago! Hassan’s narrative shows exactly what some refugees have had to overcome. The lucky ones that are accepted into stable countries still have to encounter prejudice – just for being in a different religion, having a darker skin color, or being raised in a different part of the world. Overcoming this bigotry is something comfortable Americans (like me) can do something about. Hassan’s elegant telling of a horrific story is a way that I can appreciate these new neighbors and sometimes new Americans.
War and Me: A Memoir
By Faleeha Hassan
Translated by William Hutchins
Copyright (c) 2022
Amazon Crossing
ASIN B09Q84Q3W8
Page Count: 351
Genre: Autobiography/Memoir
www.amazon.com