Chapter 55
I hadn’t talked to Anwar in over two weeks. I had started to think our correspondence had petered out when I saw his name in my inbox. I was happy to talk to someone not involved in the drama of my life.
He was telling me about his civil engineering program. I didn’t even know what civil engineering was.
from: [email protected]
It’s like all the stuff everyone forgets—bridges, sewers, canals.
It’s boring to most people but it’s important.
It’s what keeps a city running, which excites me.
And now we’re talking more about sustainable building and creating resilient communities, which is really big.
My dream is to be part of the rebuilding efforts in Gaza but we rebuild it and then what?
Now they are saying they wanted to displace Gazans completely and turn it into a vacation destination, it’s sick.
Also what happened to that student at Columbia, Mahmoud Khalil? So scary. I watched the video. I have friends who are applying to graduate school in the States, now they don’t know if they should go.
I didn’t want to sound alarmist but I told him the truth, which was that they were probably right to be afraid to come here.
He asked what I was studying. I was embarrassed to say creative writing, so I lied and said economics. But then he started asking specifics, and I gave in and confessed that I was a writer.
from: [email protected]
to: catherineelise202@
Why lie? I don’t understand
from: catherineelise202@
I’m embarrassed!!!!
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to: catherineelise202@
hahaa am I missing something? Is it a cultural difference? I don’t see why this is bad, you writing books. Are books not respected in America or something?
I explained that America’s relationship with books was complicated. He started talking about English and having to learn it in school, how difficult it was.
from: [email protected]
to: catherineelise202@
You’re lucky that you were born knowing the language everyone else has to learn. English is strange.
Of course there’s Google Translate now.
from: catherineelise202@
Yeah but I only know English because I was brought here on a boat against my will haha.
from: [email protected]
to: catherineelise202@
You were brought there on a boat against your will?? Are you okay? Who did that to you???
I tried to explain slavery as succinctly as possible.
from: [email protected]
to: catherineelise202@
Ah yes, I have heard about that.