DAGR Kafeneion: Mobility, Revisited
By Christina Calbos
In a world that feels like it is (literally) on fire, in what ways are we complicit in its deterioration? What responsibility do we have to make it better? How can we maintain hope, and build a better future? These are the questions I continued to ponder long after reading the national bestselling novel Mobility, and attending DAGR's most recent Kafeneion: Mobility, A Talk with the Author.
Author Lydia Kiesling is not only an acclaimed novelist and culture writer, but also a mother, community activist - and just like Mobility’s main character - a foreign service kid. In fact, our very own DAGR chair (and former diplomat) Brady Kiesling was the proud father in attendance, kicking-off our session by introducing award-winning poet Alicia E. Stallings. Alicia led attendees in conversation with Lydia about the inspiration behind Mobility, how much of her writing was inspired by her own lived experience, and her process in writing a novel during a global pandemic- while raising two kids no less.
Growing up as an embassy kid myself, I couldn’t help but relate to Mobility’s main character. Bunny goes through the trials and tribulations of girlhood against the backdrop of post-soviet Baku and early-aughts Athens - somewhat oblivious to the history being made around her. Bunny grows up to work in the oil industry and, despite her liberal leanings, seems to be unaware of her complicity in creating a world increasingly paying the price of climate change. What does it say about us (and our future) that we may relate to Bunny so well? Should Bunny's propensity to "compromise" on values be a cautionary tale, considering the somewhat dystopian, yet realistic, final section of the book?
Lydia thinks so. In fact, connections were made to the current humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and the things we tell ourselves to make sense of, or even turn away from, what is happening in the world. Lydia spoke of ways in which we can be active in who is representing us and how our U.S taxpayer money is being spent. We touched on the power of using our voices (and our vote) to hold our leaders accountable - particularly in such desperate times (and notably, an election year). Lydia has not only been vocal on Gaza but has also advocated for mothers and access to universal childcare.
Overall, the Kafenion not only provided a discussion outlet with exceptionally talented writers Lydia and Alicia, but also allowed for reflection on big global issues and our role within them. I left the Kafenion activated and hungry for more of Lydia’s prescient writing and keen observations. Don’t miss out on reading some of her articles, her debut novel The Golden State, or Mobility here.
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