New novel explores whiteness, loss and a changing world

The makeup of who lives in the United States is changing. That means that the average American today is less likely to be someone who identifies as white.

Along with that, we are seeing a backlash to a culture that is now trying to give voice to more non-white people.

Militia groups — mostly comprised of white men — in Michigan and across the US do not want this progression and are using violence, or the threat of it, to change things. Their efforts to disrupt our democracy have included an attempt to kidnap Michigan’s governor, as well as overrunning state and federal government buildings.

Mohsin Hamid is a novelist who has written the new book, The Last White Man, which begs us to ask if world without whiteness would actually be a better world. Can it be less fear-inducing and more compassionate? Can it be more inclusive and more caring?

“I think partly what we’re feeling is, as the pace of change accelerates, as technology and our impact on the world around us accelerates things, things are changing more and more rapidly. And more and more people feel unsettled by this.” — Mohsin Hamid, author.

Listen: How to deal with loss and change in a rapidly changing world.

Guest

Mohsin Hamid is a novelist, writer and brand consultant. Most recently, he’s the author of the novel, The Last White Man. He says that in the United States and around the world, many dominant groups are feeling a sense of loss.

“I think that what we’re seeing is, around the world, a profound sense of loss by all kinds of groups,” says Hamid. “And it’s worth us asking why people are feeling this. And I think partly what we’re feeling is, as the pace of change accelerates, as technology and our impact on the world around us accelerates things, things are changing more and more rapidly. And more and more people feel unsettled by this.”

Photo courtesy of Hannah Lopez.