59 pages • 1 hour read
The Lines We Cross
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Themes
The Impact of Xenophobia and Racism on Individuals and Communities
In telling the stories of two Australian families, Abdel-Fattah’s novel examines the impact of xenophobia and racism on individuals and communities. Mina and her family members are asylum seekers who fled from the Taliban’s reign of terror in Afghanistan, while the Blaineys are white, upper-middle-class, Australian nationals. The persecution of Mina’s family’s restaurant by Blainey’s organization highlights the role of privilege in the marginalization and abuse of vulnerable populations by those who benefit and derive power from secure social status and citizenship. As Mina points out, refugees are not a credible danger to Australian society but rather a convenient scapegoat: “Oh, because women, children, and men fleeing persecution are such a threat, hey?” (35). The novel’s Muslim immigrants are an especially easy target for Aussie Values due to the intersection of xenophobia, racism, and Islamophobia. Contrary to the democratic values they claim to represent, the group proves more invested in performative outrage as Michael observes: “[T]they’re all bidding furiously, except it’s not to buy a house but to stake a claim as the most worried citizen [...] Li jumps in, worried about border protection and too many Asians buying real estate” (214). In addition to illustrating Aussie Values’ paranoia and disingenuousness, this excerpt captures the irony of internalized racism by highlighting an Asian immigrant’s xenophobia against other Asian immigrants.
Abdel-Fattah emphasizes the tangible threat that racism and xenophobia pose by depicting the anti-immigrant group’s rapid growth. At the start of the novel, Aussie Values has about 50 members, and they are outnumbered by counter protestors: “The numbers on our side of the protest are growing but they’re still small compared to the other mob” (2). By the end of the story, the group’s numbers have more than doubled, and it seems feasible that Alan Blainey will win the state election and apply his discriminatory views to public policy, painting a grim picture of how quickly bigotry can spread when disinformation and hate speech are normalized. Aussie Values’ racism and xenophobia wreak physical and psychological damage on individuals and communities evidenced by the distress and sleeplessness Mina’s stepfather experiences after the restaurant is accused of funding terrorism in a televised news story, and the frequent vandalism of Kabul Kitchen. In the gravest example of bigotry’s impact, Aussie Values members report three immigrants working at Kabul Kitchen resulting in their detainment and potential deportation—a danger Mina’s stepfather understands all too well, saying: “I can’t live with myself if they’re sent back” (356). Ultimately, all three immigrants are released and able to remain in Australia, but the fight for justice continues. The novel reckons with the harm to immigrant lives as a direct result of discrimination, emphasizing the need to take a stand against racism and xenophobia.
The Struggle of Finding and Following One’s Personal Convictions
Over the course of the novel, Michael’s character growth remains rooted in his struggle to find and follow his personal convictions. At the beginning of the story, Michael fully subscribes to his parents’ racist and xenophobic views out of a combination of complacency and trust. He “[wears his] politics like hand-me-down clothes: Some bits feel like they don’t fit properly, but [he expects he’ll] grow into them, trusting that because they’re from [his] parents they’ve come from a good source” (36). Meeting Mina forces Michael to examine what his parents have taught him, and diligently undertake the work of educating himself. However, a number of factors make it difficult for him to establish his own beliefs. The most significant obstacle Michael faces is his fear of disappointing his parents who, as founders of Aussie Values, have made their political views central to their identity. As Michael observes: “I feel stuck, as if the only choice in front of me is keeping silent or breaking their hearts” (283). Taking a stand against racism and xenophobia also means standing up to his bigoted best friend, Terrence. Michael is troubled by Terrence’s racist and discriminatory behavior from the outset, but he doesn’t confront him until near the end of the story because, in his own words, he is “too lazy to do anything” (334). Throughout Michael’s arc, the most significant challenge in his struggle to find and follow his own convictions remains his reluctance to change his relationships with his family and friends.
The author portrays Michael’s struggle in a sympathetic light without excusing his actions or allowing him to remain static in his complacency. For years, Michael felt pressure to live up to his father’s expectations and become an architect, so asserting his passion for graphic design represents an important step on his journey. He tells his parents: “It’s my life. I’m sorry, but I don’t want what you and Dad want for me” (132). His firmness about his future career helps him begin to feel confident in his identity and secure in his views as distinct from those of his parents. Near the end of the novel, Michael’s beliefs lead him to cut ties with Terrence, publicly denounce Aussie Values on TV, and engage his parents in debate about their racist and xenophobic views. During this tense debate, Michael shares the struggle he went through to reach his convictions: “You guys just think I woke up one day and decided to rebel against you out of some teenage protest [....] I want you to know that’s not what happened. I’ve tried really hard to see your point of view” (370). In the end, Michael resolves to fight against racism and xenophobia even though this means forever altering his relationship with his parents. The arc Abdel-Fattah creates for Michael moves him from complacency to active resistance against racism and xenophobia, demonstrating the possibility for growth and change if one is willing to face the struggle of finding and following their personal convictions.
The Importance of Love and Connection
In addition to examining issues of racism and immigration, the novel emphasizes the importance of love and connection as both of the main characters are transformed by the bond they share. Mina sets Michael on a journey of self-discovery in which he grapples with his parents’ bigotry, discovers his own principles, and grows in courage and compassion. He often reflects on the tremendous changes she catalyzes in his life: “How do I explain to [Terrence] that I went along with everything my parents said because it never occurred to me that they could be wrong? I never dared to think I could question them until I met Mina” (334). Likewise, Mina is mindful of the ways that Michael has changed her. The young woman has experienced the effects of humanity’s cruelty and indifference firsthand, and she’s necessarily well-versed in the fight against discrimination. Over the course of the story, Michael works to prove that she doesn’t have to fight this battle alone, bringing a new sense of connection into her life after all she has endured and providing evidence that people with bigoted views can change. The novel’s ending offers hope that the couple’s love will endure the challenges ahead—particularly going public with their friends and families about their relationship. Mina questions, “‘Are we worth all of this? The fight ahead?’ His reply is instant. ‘Yes, Mina. Absolutely’” (373). Both young people recognize how important their relationship is and are prepared to fight for it. Mina and Michael’s relationship is a testament to the transformative power of love and connection.
Abdel-Fattah also uses Paula and Jane’s character arcs to develop the theme. Paula and Mina’s friendship is a significant relationships for both young women. Paula eases the fear and homesickness Mina feels after moving to a new neighborhood and starting 11th grade in a new school, while Mina offers the lonely and ostracized Paula comfort and courage. With Paula’s help, Mina finds “a new corner in the world that [she] can also call home” (263). Paula further reinforces the theme with her character arc’s happy ending, in which her relatives take concrete action to prioritize their connection with her. She excitedly explains to Mina: “Dad’s applied for long service leave! And Mum spoke to Nancy and guess what? Nancy’s going to cancel her Europe trip at the end of the year and come here instead!” (379). Paula’s role in the story celebrates the importance of connections with friends and family, while Jane’s main motivation throughout the narrative is to find love. Her failed relationship with Terrence allows her to see the importance of her connections with friends and family and to place greater value on herself. After Jane tells Terrence about her cousin’s crush in an attempt to hold his attention, Mina urges her, “If you need to betray friends and family to keep a guy, you need to dump him. He’s the wrong guy” (328). Jane’s arc shows the importance of prioritizing healthy connections and pruning toxic ones. Abdel-Fattah celebrates the many forms that love takes and offers her audience a clear lesson about nurturing the connections that help them to be their best selves.
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By Randa Abdel-Fattah
