NER staff reader Meera Vijayann talks with contributor Tabish Khair about exploring language gaps, the ethics of writing the past, and the evolving dynamics of generational privilege in his essay “Birbuhoti” from NER 45.2.
Sam Simas
Simple Instructions
Harold is hacking the onion with a bread knife, again. I pass him the santoku and say, “Use this.” He sighs. He sighs because I have promised to allow him to make his own mistakes. After all, I have no claim on the proper way of dicing an onion. I am no chef. To be honest, I have never pursued an interest far enough to define myself by it . . .