Abdi Nor Iftin, "Call Me American"
Abdi Nor Iftin discusses his memoir, "Call Me American", at Politics and Prose on 6/26/18.
No two immigration experiences are the same, and Iftin’s amazing story of chance, courage, and resilience began years before he came to the U.S. Growing up in Mogadishu, he was five in 1991 when Somalia plunged into civil war. He escaped the hunger and militia attacks temporarily by watching American movies and listening to American pop music. But as he learned English, reinvented himself as "Abdi American,” and reported for NPR, he drew the enmity of the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab and was forced to take refuge in Kenya. Then, after a harrowing sequence of events that nearly stranded him in Nairobi, Iftin was granted a visa to enter this country. He now lives in Maine and works as an interpreter for newly-arrived Somalis.
Abdi Nor Iftin currently lives in Portland, Maine, where he works as an interpreter for Somalis who have immigrated to the state. Abdi was accepted to the University of Southern Maine, where he will be studying political science.
www.politics-prose.com/book/9...
This event is supported by the Young African Professionals (YAP) Network. YAP is a network of more than 10,000 young African professionals in the D.C. Metro area, which provides a forum for professionals interested in Africa to engage with contemporary leaders in business, technology, philanthropy and social entrepreneurship; to network and discover opportunities among Africans; support Arts and culture from the African Diaspora; and promote entrepreneurial activities among members. More information about YAP can be found on their website at yapdc.org
Founded by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade in 1984, Politics and Prose Bookstore is Washington, D.C.'s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub, a gathering place for people interested in reading and discussing books. Politics and Prose offers superior service, unusual book choices, and a haven for book lovers in the store and online. Visit them on the web at www.politics-prose.com/
Produced by Tom Warren
Пікірлер: 74
I came to your talk in Minneapolis. You are really a good human being. You gave me hope and strength. Thank you Abdi.
Give him a credit this amazing guy I’m from Somalia and I been here since 2005 and I can’t even speak English the way he can. Very amazing and telling the story to white ppl is not bulahit it’s real Nd even if it’s fake you better accept this guy effort at least .man o man Somalis are crzy ..... how many ppl don’t even try to change the young generation iny wax ku cunan mooyaanee. So this guy is real changer Nd he change me tooo
Abdi, this is so inspiring. I read your book.
34:46 he was asked academic question and he goes off to explain vaguely physical monuments. I like the fact that you’re a good storyteller, but please study what you’re talking about very well. And don’t underestimate our culture. We have rich culture and we’re very smart people. Don’t focus on negatives.
Love his story and his book.
By listening his story, he is a strong man. But hey my people Somalis it's okay to share your story. He went through a lot.
Keep up Abdi. We love you.
This is the best book i read.
Good job man.
Iam somali and proud to be Alxamdulillah
Great talk.
Inspiring.
Horey u sii soco wax fiican Ayaad qabatay!!
Inspiring
Mashaallah wllo huro uso good job
Abdi, i would love to meet you and shake hands. You are the best.
Yes abdi.
I watched the whole thing and I haven't heard one negative word so why are a lot of Somali people triggered walahi we're most dramatic people ever if you don't you country called war torn country stop killing each other ooh he's hawiye or he's darood and this and that . And if you're not greatfull for American you can leave just saying i'm proud to be proud somali American
@DhurwaaFam
5 жыл бұрын
lucky h you have no clue! This guy is lying about his roommates and making fake stories and stereotypes to fit his narrative. Read the book pages 290’s before you splash us with your naive emotion based conclusions.
@najmoaadan5217
5 жыл бұрын
lucky h, Read his book or do some research and you will understand the reason we are against him. It is true we are dramatic people and we overreact, but this case is different. This man wrote a book and he is talking about his experience and there is nothing wrong about that, but some chapters of the book he is accusing his roommates. He said “ his roommates with their names didn’t went collage and they cannot speak English” not true, his roommates has a master degree. He said the imaan “ Use to force him to pray” not true because imaam himself said I don’t even know him. And there is more.
@ahmedm7221
5 жыл бұрын
lucky h kkkkkkkkkk yeah call him America
@Suusuumo
5 жыл бұрын
Worse none; of those Somalis who are saying negative things about him have read the book. I just finished the book. His story is a story of courage and survival and every Somali should be proud of him.
Wwwww ciyaalka xafada inftin horay usoco
Good job my brother Abdi nor iftin
@shankaroont4959
5 жыл бұрын
farhia hassan 🤮
Why would they call you American? African Americans have been here over thousands of years and they still call us African American.
@shankaroont4959
5 жыл бұрын
Wise Man 😂😂😂so true
Keep going and write the books
@shankaroont4959
5 жыл бұрын
Fatuma Ali 🤮🤢🤮
You are very intellectual young man Congrats brother and tell your truth 💙🇸🇴💙♥️🇺🇸
why couldn't you be great in your own country and change it and make it better? Change happens from inside.
though he tried very hard but there is a lot of bla bala in his speech not all what he talked about is true
alot of it is propaganda but at the same he makes great points
Somalia is fairly safe except the capital - Mogadishu. We need to make our country safe and build a bridge between USA and peaceful Somalia in the future. Don’t pessimistic. Study hard brother. You have great potential.
Congrats to abdi if we are Somalia we are proud of him ✌👍
@shankaroont4959
5 жыл бұрын
subscribe Please 🤢🤮
Soomaali adoo kale uma baahna way kaa maarantaa,, waan ku faraxsanay inaa wali soomali tahay oo aadan aadan badalmi karin, sakiin laq
Self hatred man very sad. He mis calculates what been American really mean , he have been in America for a couple of years and all the sudden he isn’t Somali. Someone please tell him if you don’t respect who you are no one will. Don’t get me wrong though this young man trying to say the opportunity American gives to me , the title should be the opportunity American gives to me As us gives the same opportunity many millions of people all around the world ,
Pointlessly speaking.
Abowe portland Miyad jogata
congratulation
Ninkan dulisanaa war ama ha xumado ama ha fiicnaado wadankada waa lama huraan dylinimada jooji
Mida kale birthday somalida ee 1/1 waxa uu umaleeya somalida inay baxisay he needs to do more research before he open his ugly mouth. Birthday waxaa baxiyay immigration ka marka qof walbaa somali ah la waydiyay goortay dhashen ma naqaano Ayay dhahi jireen so migration picked up that day he needs to respect it because it’s so special to us
Your negative comments are evidence of the underlying psychological issues you are suffering. At least, 99% of Somalis suffer from some form of post traumatic stress disorder and it gets more complicated when coupled with paranoia and other psychological disorder . Please seek help and please read Abdi's book. It would help you understand what is wrong with your life.
Somalinimada ku faan. Minasota anagaa iska leh. Waa gobol soomaliya ka tirsan.
Somali is peaceful country.
On path to get somewhere by stepping on people who got you there. Walking all over your country and people and lying.
@africanprinceful4755
5 жыл бұрын
Shugri Dualle What about all of those somali women i.e, Ayan Hirsi Ali who have destroyed our name. All of the FGM advocates, feminist and Arawalo supporters, which btw was a fictitious character were the reasons why our country has such a bad reputation. Their books and their extreme feminist ideas turned our country into the barbaric image westerners have. He’s just reinforcing the same things your Somali women have been saying. The only difference, it’s a guy. He should go further and talk about the double standardness of Somali women and why Somalia will always be considered the hopeless reality it is. This is a topic the world has to discuss. Women played a huge role in the demise of Somalia and should be held just as accountable. They’re not the victims but the criminals and the catalyst to a 30 year catastrophe. Until then, he’s got my support as a fellow Somali guy.
Hahahaha habar dir waxuu kabartay 1991 ayuu sheegay runta malaiskinacaa
Somali karbaaash somalidu run necebaaa horta khaldkooda hadaa lasheego maxay dadka ucaayaan
waa hubaa in aad foolxumo la soo fadhid miiska iga tag wax ku qaatee waxa iga su.aal ah ruuxani ma somaliba mise waa kenyati dagan wajeer iyo baladxaawo
@moonsun8500
5 жыл бұрын
wiilka iska daaaaa , lolololo
Buufis America markuu kugu dhaco wa sidaan oo kale wadankaaga Hooyo ayad Liidaysaa
@umusumayawabari4016
5 жыл бұрын
somali inan nahay dad xun cid walba way ogtahay o qabyalad badan
@hamdagarbo5839
5 жыл бұрын
Altamoda Hussein Listen carefully please! He didn't put down his country but he shares what he went through during and after the civil war. So sorry for you guys for thinking like this.
DOQON SOMALIYA WUXU KA DHIGEY BAABA AAN WAXBO AHAYN , MAXAA NACAS BUUXA.
He made up all this story . He is f...ing liar .
@aamrakamran7275
5 жыл бұрын
No he didn't.
The book is full of lies!!
This guy is unprofessional and he is disgraceful to our value and culture.