The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Lalami, Laila. Conditional Citizens. New York: Pantheon Books, 2020.

Conditional Citizens in a nonfiction book by Laila Lalami. Lalami interrogates the idea that all U.S. citizens are equals. Lalami explores various causes and effects of injustice and inequality in the United States.

In the chapter, “Allegiance,” Lalami recalls becoming a U.S. citizen in the year 2000. A year later, after the 9/11 attacks, there was a surge of Islamophobia in the United States. Lalami is a Muslim woman who is originally from Morocco. She experienced Islamophobia firsthand. Lalami writes about the injustice of people insinuating that the citizenship and patriotism of certain groups—such as Muslims—are in question. She further recalls how the patriotism of anyone who did not support the ‘War on Terror’ was called into question.

In the chapter “Faith,” Lalami recalls how she has often been asked questions in public about Islamic extremist groups. Lalami has no connection to such groups, and yet many white Americans have assumed that all Muslims are in some way connected to extremism. Lalami points out how such assumptions are reflective of ignorance and stereotyping. Greater cultural awareness and sensitivity are necessary so that people do not assume that the worst members of a group are representative of the entire group.

In the chapter “Borders,” Lalami discusses the egregious current state of U.S. border policies. She illustrates specific ways in which border enforcement policies are applied in unjust and racist ways. Moreover, the harshness of U.S. border policies are unnecessary and destructive. Lalami also writes about the ways in which borders are merely extensions of societally harmful divisions.

In the chapter “Assimilation,” Lalami interrogates the idea that immigrants should ‘assimilate’ to the culture of the country to which they immigrate. Lalami highlights the ways in which this idea is extremely problematic, as it assumes that a narrow set of customs define American culture. Moreover, people who advocate for ‘assimilation’ demand that immigrants relinquish all cultural connections to their birth country. Lalami advocates for integration and multiculturalism rather than assimilation.

In the chapter “Tribe,” Lalami mostly focuses on racial divisions in the United States. White Americans enjoy many social and legal privileges, while nonwhite Americans suffer many forms of social and legal persecution. In the chapter “Caste,” Lalami explores economic inequality, which intersects in many ways with racial inequality. She highlights specific socioeconomic dynamics and governmental actions that have continued to concentrate power among a small group, mostly of wealthy white men.

In the chapter “Inheritance,” Lalami focuses on dynamics of gender inequality. She highlights the examples of Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford, two women who testified against Supreme Court nominations. The women testified as to the nominees’ past actions of sexual misconduct. In both cases, the women were scorned and dismissed, and the men were confirmed to the Supreme Court. Lalami also incorporates personal experience, such as when she was fired after standing up to a boss who was frequently committing sexual harassment.

In the chapter “Do Not Despair of This Country,” Lalami acknowledges that a reader might feel overwhelmed by the many issues facing the country. However, Lalami urges the reader not to feel despair, as despair only causes inaction. Lalami urges the reader to maintain hope and to actively pursue progress.