Laila Lalami

Columnist

LailaLalami

Laila Lalami is the author of Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America. She is a professor of creative writing at the University of California, Riverside.

Copyright © 2023 Chantal Montellier

Chantal Montellier’s Prescient Dystopias Chantal Montellier’s Prescient Dystopias

A new volume collects the pioneering French comic artist's work.

Sep 18, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Laila Lalami

Demonstrators at a rally

The America We Want to Be The America We Want to Be

We shouldn’t let Trump’s war on immigrants deplete our capacity for compassion.

Feb 17, 2020 / Between the Lines / Laila Lalami

Funeral of Qassem Soleimani in Iran

Thanks to Republicans, Iran Is Another Iraq Waiting to Happen Thanks to Republicans, Iran Is Another Iraq Waiting to Happen

Trump’s actions show how little the political class has learned about war.

Jan 17, 2020 / Between the Lines / Laila Lalami

Robert E Lee Monument

‘Bothsidesism’ Is Poisoning America ‘Bothsidesism’ Is Poisoning America

Zealous coverage of political point scoring doesn’t help anyone outside Washington.

Dec 17, 2019 / Between the Lines / Laila Lalami

What It Feels Like to Be Watched

What It Feels Like to Be Watched What It Feels Like to Be Watched

From the streets to our smartphones, surveillance has taken on frightening proportions.

Oct 28, 2019 / Between the Lines / Laila Lalami

Congressional Races Are Our Best Shot at Gun Control

Congressional Races Are Our Best Shot at Gun Control Congressional Races Are Our Best Shot at Gun Control

Even in California, it’s too easy to turn a gun purchased legally into an assault weapon.

Sep 12, 2019 / Between the Lines / Laila Lalami

Ilhan Omar Rally On The Hill

Trump Has Brought Back ‘Conditional Citizenship’ Trump Has Brought Back ‘Conditional Citizenship’

What does citizenship mean if only white people belong in Donald Trump’s America?

Aug 2, 2019 / Between the Lines / Laila Lalami

John Lanchester’s Eerily Resonant Novel About Borders and Rising Sea Levels

John Lanchester’s Eerily Resonant Novel About Borders and Rising Sea Levels John Lanchester’s Eerily Resonant Novel About Borders and Rising Sea Levels

His speculative new novel, The Wall, imagines a dystopian future but offers us a warning about our present. 

May 20, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Laila Lalami

Brian Kemp and Renee Unterman signs away women’s reproductive rights

Abortion Bans Have No Respect for Life, Fairness, or Equality Abortion Bans Have No Respect for Life, Fairness, or Equality

Why a spate of restrictive new bills will hurt poor and minority women the most.

May 17, 2019 / Laila Lalami

Protesting Susan Collins

Why Focusing All Our Energies on the Presidency Is a Big Mistake Why Focusing All Our Energies on the Presidency Is a Big Mistake

Expecting transformative change from the top is a recipe for disappointment. We should stop expecting saviors.

Apr 15, 2019 / Between the Lines / Laila Lalami

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