No New Land: A Novel is a fiction written by G.M. Vassanji in 1991. He is an Asian who studied in Tanzania and Toronto before becoming a reputable scientist and writer. This book presents a story of Lalani Nurdin, an Asian whose parents migrated to Tanzania, Africa during the colonial period. After staying in Dar es Salaam, he decided to relocate to Toronto, Canada. Here, he believed that he would get an opportunity to improve his life. To him, it was only Toronto that would guarantee him a better life. However, he failed to understand that he was migrating to Toronto at ‘a time when it was deeply rooted in racism’ (Vassanji, 2003). As an Asian, Lalani would not find anything better to do. In fact, he was discriminated since he belonged to the minority group. Surprisingly, things became more difficult than he could imagine. After battling a turbulent marriage and failing to get a job, he was falsely accused of sexually molesting a young white girl.
I would like to express my appreciation to Vassanji for writing such an insightful fiction. I am particularly delighted by the way he captures racism which posed a very great challenge to the minority groups in Toronto especially during the 1970s and 1980s. Although it is not a good culture, it sensitizes the readers on the dangers. Just like Lalani, a lot of people have been discriminated upon merely because of their complexion. However, this is a vice which should not be condoned at all. ‘It only oppresses and divides the society a part’ (Arthur, 2003). After all, everyone is equal and should not be discriminated upon regardless of their background. We should be proud of our diversities and shun racism.
Works Cited
Arthur, Eric. Toronto: NO Mean City. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2003. Print.
Vassanji, M.G. The In-Between World of Vikram Lall. Toronto: Doubleday Publishers, 2003. Print.
