Racism and Marginalization of Minorities in Khan’s We Take Our Cities with Us: A Memoir

Abstract

This research paper underscores Sorayya Khan’s personal experiences of historical events in her memoir We Take Our Cities with Us: A Memoir (2022) showcasing the marginalization of Muslim minorities in the post-9/11 West, the subjugation of Hindus and Christians in Pakistan following the 1947 Partition, and brutalities against Bengalis during the 1971 Liberation War also known as 1971 Debacle. Muslims faced discrimination in Western countries because of their religion (Islamophobia) and appearance (brown color). Similarly, Hindu and Christian minority communities also suffered in Pakistan. Taking cue from Sidonie Smith’s theoretic perspectives that experiences are integral part of autobiographies and racism as the key element of personal narratives exploring historical crises, Khan’s memoir is critically analyzed featuring not only social but also political and religious structures of life. The memoir is also critically read with the help of Critical Race Theory that explores systematic racism and serves as a vantage point to raise voice against racial indoctrinations. Khan’s memoir depicts the exploitation of Muslim, Hindu, Bengali and Christian minority communities at the hands of their respective powerful majority communities. Her memoir’s narration of her lived experiences, during watershed historical events, adds to the body of resistance discourses against racism and marginalization of minorities.