Call Me American by DINO FERRARI

The Drought (2)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-10 23:29:53 UTC

The drought was an event that had occurred before Abdi had been born. The drought had taken the herd of Abdi's parents which had forced them to move to a big city. That city is where Abdi was born.

Abdi's Father Joins Basketball (20)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-10 23:39:31 UTC

Abdi's father was very tall and could jump very high which gave his half brother's friend the idea for him to join the basketball team. Abdi's father denied but eventually got him to try basketball. He was so good at it he ended up winning competitions and making tons of money.

When Abdi's Dad tried out for basketball Abdi said "So my dad tried out for basketball and was a natural. He towered over his teammates. He could jump higher and had strong hands from working with animals". (20)

First Contact With The War (27)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-10 23:42:52 UTC

One day fighters had come to loot the area around Abdi's house. The fighters fired bullets which hit several things such as windows, trees, and walls. The next day Abdi's family had packed up all important things getting ready to leave as the city was now too dangerous.

Abdi's Dad Leaves (39)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-10 23:47:51 UTC

Abdi's father was forced to leave as the militias were killing men with their families. They knew the father had to leave if they wanted a chance to be spared in the case where they were found. Abdi's father left after giving each of his family a kiss on the head.

Abdi's father said this before leaving "If we wait until morning, all the roads out of Baidoa will be blocked and there will be no escape. Siciid and I must leave straightaway. Don't worry, we're all going to be okay". (39)

Meeting up With Khadija Ahmed (50)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-11 00:12:50 UTC

While travelling around, Abdi's family had run into Khadija Ahmed's family. Khadija was the only neighbor they could recognize in the city, her husband had been killed and so had one of her sons. Khadija helped Adbi and his family by giving them food and rooms with walls of cardboard.

Rebel Organization Controls 12 Districts of Mogadishu (56)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-11 00:29:58 UTC

After the war had ended in a stalemate several militias of the Rebel Organization had taken control of 12 of the districts of Mogadishu. The violence continued even after the stalemate, more violence usually occurred in the night time. Kids from before the war had returned with their uncles who are in the militia.

Abdi said this about the Rebel Organization "The USC, controlled twelve of the sixteen districts of Mogadishu". (55-56)

Humanitarian Aid Arrives to Somalia (65)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-11 00:50:13 UTC

Humanitarian Aid came to Somalia in December 1992, the war lords in the area ended up hoarding everything for themselves. The United States led a military force put together by 28 countries to monitor food and supply distribution.

Abdi's Dad Returns (70)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-11 01:03:41 UTC

When Abdi's father had returned he was incredibly weak and malnourished. Abdi and everyone else didn't recognize him at first as it had been 3 years since he left. Adbi's mom began helping him bathe and Abdi cleaned his clothes. When he was well enough he went to the United Nations clinic.

Abdi said this as he saw several people come back to Mogadishu "the city of women and children now had men. One of them was our dad". (69)

Abdi Translates English (89)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-11 01:36:46 UTC

Abdi began learning the lines in the movies so well that they could read what was about to happen when they said a line. Abdi began getting let into the theater for free as he always attracted a huge crowd of people wanting to hear his translations.

Abdi said "My translating became more accurate; people knew this because events in the movie happened the way I predicted, based on the dialogue". (89)

Book Citation

ferradin000 — 2024-03-11 01:40:21 UTC

"Call Me American, The Extraordinary True Story Of A Young Somali Immigrant"

(Adapted For Young Adults Edition)

Written by Abdi Nor Iftin.

Published in June 2020, New York.

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Abdi Gets Arranged to Be A Madrassa Assistant (99)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-11 02:05:35 UTC

Shortly after Abdi's graduation, his mother decided to get Abdi to be Macalin Basbaas's assistant. Abdi didn't want to do that and said he needed a break from that stuff. Abdi's mother kept pressuring him to visit the madrassa regularly.

Abdi Gets Kicked Out (100)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 01:57:50 UTC

When the Tabliiq came to Abdi's house to take him so he could learn more about being a sheikh, he refused to go. After that his mother decided he was a lost cause and kicked him out of the house.

Abdi said "My parents kicked me out of the house". (100)

Rain Comes to Mogadishu (102)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:01:41 UTC

In 1998, rain began pouring down in Somalia which meant that plants and other insects would start showing up in Mogadishu. Mosquitoes were also flying around and biting Abdi so he decided to go back to his parent's house.

Abdi says "Starting in 1998, Somalia had some good rainy seasons that soaked Mogadishu". (102)

Hassan Leaves (110)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:09:22 UTC

Hassan decided to leave Somalia to get a job and send money back to his family. He got his mothers blessing and then left in a car.

The ICU Makes Their Intentions Clear (128)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:22:22 UTC

The ICU took control of most of Mogadishu and took on a goal of keeping the place mainly for Islams. They made it clear that they wanted to make Islam the only religion. They also made it clear they wanted to wipe out the Americans.

The ICU said "God make us meet American troops, make us wipe them out. Give us the upper hand. We are your soldiers". (128)

US Ethiopian Army Advances Towards Mogadishu (137)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:28:46 UTC

In July 2006 The Ethiopian army which was supported by the US had advanced towards Mogadishu. Their goal was to drive out Islamists which caused a war.

Abdi described the sight by saying "By July 2006, the United States-supported Ethiopian army was slowly advancing toward Mogadishu to drive out the Islamists". (137)

Abdi Meets A Journalist (140)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:34:09 UTC

Abdi met a famous journalist who goes by the name "Paul Salopek, who came to record the events happening in Mogadishu. They talked for a bit and the guy gave him 50 bucks to get a phone and to give the rest to his family. The guy told Abdi to give him a call.

Abdi Purchases A Phone (145)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:46:08 UTC

Abdi had returned to Mogadishu after an attack drove him and his family out. Shortly after he found a phone store where he purchased a 35 dollar phone. This gave him access to popular music and let him get in contact with the journalist who's name is Paul.

Abdi described how his phone looked and how much it cost by saying "Next to the Fathi restaurant was a phone store called Al-Imra Electronic. I went in and asked for a cheap phone with a memory chip. For thirty-five dollars, it came with a SIM card service that could let me send emails". (145)

Abdi Gets An Opportunity To Tell His Story (150)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:52:43 UTC

Abdi got a call from an American woman whose name is "Cori Princell" who gave him the opportunity to tell his story in the war. He decided to take it after being encouraged by Hassan. He recorded his story on his phone.

Abdi Leaves To Kampala, Uganda by Plane (156)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 02:58:38 UTC

Abdi got a team that was made specifically to get him out of Mogadishu. The team came up with a plan to get him a plane ticket to fly to Kampala where he would get a 1 day visa. He said goodbye to his mom and got on his plane.

Abdi Uses A Shower For The First Time (161)

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 03:03:49 UTC

Abdi got to his fancy hotel room and he felt like he needed to get clean before sleeping. He tried using the shower but he had no clue how to use it. The receptionist taught him how to use it and eventually got done.

Humanitarian Aid Information Post

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 03:26:06 UTC

Paul Salopek's Issue About The War Posted on "The Atlantic"

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 03:29:54 UTC

Wiki on The Ethiopian Troops Arriving To Somalia, Causing War

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 03:32:00 UTC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Somalia_(2006%E2%80%932009)

Abdi Tells His Story

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 03:36:43 UTC

This shows Abdi telling his story about his refugee journey.

Islamic Court Union Information

ferradin000 — 2024-03-18 03:41:20 UTC

This gives a ton of information about the Islamic Courts Union and what they did.