What did you think of Kadi’s story? Why do you think the hotel was so insistent on prosecuting the guest who raped her, even though she herself didn’t want to pursue charges? What roles did race and nationality play in her experience? Were you surprised at her response once the case’s outcome was made public?
This was the most interesting part of the book, especially since it was based on a real event. I think the reporting of it was needed because the perpetrator had apparently tried this before (or that was my perception) plus I think it’s the right thing to do. Men who abuse women this way must be confronted. In Katailou’s case, her lack of English mastery and maybe poor translation hurt her with telling her story, though the police seemed to be to have preconceived ideas. And the media was terrible and all the people who created false stories with people believing theee baseless stories without checking the facts. My heart went out to her.
I totally agree. However, although her friends supported her in every way including legal help, ultimately she only wanted never to have to deal with the case in public again. She and her mother had a very different reaction to the court dropping the case than the others expected.
I agree with your opinion and want to add that a black woman accusing a white man of a crime will always be suspect unfortunately. It did not help that the man was a wealthy man of much renown. Think of the current cases of sexual abuse being played out in the US today. I was not surprised that she was relieved to be free of the need to testify, and I wonder what I would have done in her position.
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Kadi’s story was very engaging. It was not an easy section to read though. The hotel should act in the best interest of its employees, but I think there is also fear of an employee lawsuit that came into play. Her culture and the fact that she was an immigrant affected her reaction to the experience. I was a bit surprised at her response to the case’s outcome, but it was in keeping with her character, so it was completely believable to me.
This was the most absorbing and compelling part of the novel for me. Her journey from rural childhood in a nation emerging out of colonialism, where competition and prejudice based on tribes united only in the limited roles they allow women… to making her own way as a self-supporting single mother in the US, learning a new language and a challenging new culture…truly inspiring. And a stunning contrast to the other women.
It did not surprise me that the sexual assault case unfolded as it did (I was living in Brooklyn when the real case happened). From Kadi’s perspective —she was highly intelligent and perceptive, enough to pick up on how she was being treated—what mattered most was her ability to work and raise her daughter. She had already learned not to expect justice as a black woman, even in Africa. She only took part in the case because her employers in effect required it, by not asking her what she wanted, or taking her objections seriously. They were motivated, I think, because it was what they would have wanted for themselves, coming from a place of privilege, for political reasons in particular.
There was a fundamental disconnect between their view of dignity as coming from superior status and legal power, and Kadi’s as coming from her personal strength to survive and work and learn, and care for those she loved.
I think when the actual event occurred there was sympathy for doing the “right thing” so the hotel pursued this as an assault. And in the book, the lab confirmed findings on her clothing as she had described the attack. But then how she was treated by the legal system, with the prosecutor preparing her for what he knew would be a rigorous cross examination, it was impossible for Kadiatou not to feel attacked by those she was told were on her side. Left Kadi in a no win situation. Very moving part of the book.