The writer and broadcaster Elamin Abdelmahmoud discusses his memoir Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces (McClelland & Stewart, 2022), with Joseph Planta.

Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces by Elamin Abdelmahmoud (McClelland & Stewart, 2022). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Son of Elsewhere

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Elamin Abdelmahmoud joins me now. The writer and broadcaster has just published Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces. It is one of the more remarkable books of the year. It is filled with the wit and charm that’s made Mr. Abdelmahmoud one of the more popular personalities in the media today. It also has the sort of thoughtfulness that we need when we consider the lot of people who come to this country who want and try to fit in, and who want to find a place to belong. Elamin narrates not just his story but the story of the country of his birth, Sudan, which he left at the age of 12 to come to Canada. He looks critically at what’s happened in his country, the effect of colonialism not just on the land and the people, but somebody like him who carries within himself that legacy. It affects how he sees himself in Canada, especially when for the first time he realises he’s Black, because that’s what people see of him. This follows a discussion of internalised racism, his own and others, as well as the stuff about growing up, and how challenging that is for everybody. He finds connection through fandom of professional wrestling, and he’s able to discover some skill at writing. His parents are throughout the book and are incredible characters themselves. We get a sense of Elamin’s tastes in culture which are varied and fascinating. He’s able to reflect on those popular interests a gleaned perspective on race, politics, history, culture, and everything else in between. It’s such a rich book, and an important read. Elamin Abdelmahmoud is a culture writer for BuzzFeed News, and host of CBC Radio’s pop culture program Pop Chat. He is a contributor on The National’s At Issue panel. His Twitter handle is @elamin88. This new book is published by McClelland & Stewart. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Elamin Abdelmahmoud; Mr. Abdelmahmoud, good morning.

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