Call Me American

“I was born under a neem tree, probably in 1985.” 

In a story about contrasting cultures, Abdi explains that his culture does not celebrate birthdays—a stark contrast with the emphasis placed on such celebrations in Western cultures. The word “probably” reveals the extent of the differentiation between the cultures: Abdi cannot even pin his date of birth down to a single year. 

“I watch my tall dad disappear into the dark night.”

Abdi watches his father carefully. This act of observation is a motif. As a child, Abdi would watch his father at basketball practice. At the time, his father was revered and held aloft as a person of importance. As Abdi watches his father disappear into the night, however, the family’s fortunes have fallen. Nur Iftin is no longer revered. His tribal identity could spell death if he were caught. The act of observation alters the perception of Nur Iftin, who has transformed from a happy, successful, pillar of the community into a hunted, scared man who must leave to protect his family.

“You can tell only by their speech, so people learn how to fake accents.”

The sectarian fighting between the tribes is confusing for the young Abdi, who doesn’t know the historical and sociopolitical histories of the people of Somalia. The need to survive helps him to learn fast that the only way to differentiate between the different Somali tribes is by their accent.