St Albans essay in Meanjin
My latest essay St Albans in Meanjin about being a teacher at a government high school, being working class and from a migrant family caught between cultures, about racism and prejudice and assimilation, but mostly a love letter to my suburb. It’s behind a paywall and available to subscribers. @ meanjinquarterly_
https://meanjin.com.au/essays/st-albans/
https://meanjin.com.au/essays/st-albans/
Extract of St Albans Essay published in Meanjin
FAQ about my piece St Albans
Was the protagonist in this short story, based on your personal experiences?
This is a memoir piece and every anecdote included is 100% true.
What were your intentions when writing the story, and who was your target audience?
For readers who come for a Non-English speaking background to feel seen, and for those who are from an Anglo Celtic background to understand the difficulties in navigating culture and space.
What were some of the problems you faced through your migration journey?
Realising that my ethnic background and culture are a strength to share, rather than something I felt embarrassed about.
Was Sabiha based on anyone?
Sabiha, the protagonist of my young adult novel Sabiha's Dilemma, which was originally published as The Good Daughter, is based on me. Sabiha and I are both of Bosnian background, grew up in St Albans and have a mother who suffers from Bi Polar. This was my debut novel and I wrote my autobiographical story as a fictional version, and then re-wrote it as my memoir.