SPIN

“I’m a writer and a translator.

“I’m from Bangladesh.

“I’m a mother.

“I grew up in Jahangirnagar University, a college campus in Bangladesh ….  It seems I’ve spent almost all my life on some college campus or another. True facts: soaring acacia, jackfruit, mango and shaal trees, and lakes and ponds. I love Jahangirnagar about as much as I love the craziness of my rickshaw-car-truck-bus-three wheeler-traffic-mess Dhaka, where I’m still afraid to cross the streets.

“All three phases of my life have defined and transformed who I am as a writer in such distinct ways; I’m grateful to all three places. I dreamt of being a writer in Jahangirnagar, I began my serious explorations into writing and translating in Dhaka, I figured out my way in Iowa City. Except the figuring out part is still ongoing. As if the figuring out part is ever over.”

REFLECT: What does Nadiya mean when she talks about “figuring out her way”?

Bangladesh is in Southern Asia. It shares a border with India and Burma. The land is mostly flat plains where rivers flow from the Himalaya mountains. Its climate is tropical, and the country often experiences floods and cyclones. 

British colonization of Bangladesh began in the late 1700s. It lasted until 1947 when the provinces of East Pakistan and West Pakistan were established on either side of India. In 1971, the country gained its independence. In 1975, a military coup ended civilian rule, and the military remained in power for 15 years. Today, politics are still uneasy, and Islamic extremism has led to violence against people who do not conform.

Bangladesh is now home to more than 165 million people. It is one of the most densely-populated countries. There is much poverty, but there have also been improvements in health and education. For example, the literacy rate is now about 75%.

Due to the British presence for so long, English became common, beginning with missionaries and businesses. Even today, while not an official language of the country, English is a required subject in education. However, scholars debate if the role of English is that of a second language or a foreign language. 

REFLECT: What is the difference between English as a second language and English as a foreign language?

1. Michael says he is surprised that the university campus is so beautiful. Why does he say that?
   
   

2. Why does Mrs. Ahmed become angry? And why is she ashamed of her anger?
   
   

3. In the end, the author writes, "If you could get the right spin, you could just about reach the other side." What do you think the author wants to communicate with this picture?
   
   

4. This story was published in a collection of short stories titled Dissent. What does that word mean? How does this story fit that theme?

1. Watch this short video of the author speaking at the San Francisco Public Library. Before she reads from a different book, the author talks about themes of insider/outsider and who belongs/who doesn’t belong. How are those themes part of this story?
   
   

2. Visit the author’s Twitter feed and read some of her recent posts. Imagine you are the character of Mrs. Ahmed. How would Mrs. Ahmed describe the author of this story and the Twitter posts?
   
   

3. Visit the author’s website and this wiki index to her work. How do you think her writing has been influenced by her Bangladeshi culture?
   
   

4. Use a dictionary to explore the various meanings of the word “spin”. Which ones apply to this story? Why?