Friday, March 18, 2022

Haley Scholars (Group 5) Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's "Zimmer Land"

[Haley Reading Groups Spring 2022]

By now, we're seeing that Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is a really inventive, far out thinker who takes tidbits from current events and our contemporary society and stretches those ideas to some really dreadful conclusions in a near or distant future. 

Along those lines, Adjei-Brenyah's "Zimmer Land" showcases an amusement park where patrons role play in environments where they ultimately shoot (with fake bullets) people who they view as threats. The protagonist of the story is a black man. He is the most popular target of park visitors who are interested in acting out situations where they kill an alleged threatening or confrontational black man. 

 Adjei-Brenyah's work isn't classified as horror fiction, but the implications of some of the stories are scary. 

Here are two questions: 

1.) After reading the story, what's one good question that you would be inclined to ask Adjei-Brenyah about his approach to storytelling in "Zimmer Land" or about how his mind as a creative artist works in general? (Respond with just one sentence)

2.) Why are you interested in that question, or what good or useful response do you think your question would prompt? (Respond with just one sentence)

51 comments:

Josephine Kanyi said...

1) After reading Zimmerland, I'd be inclined to ask the author what current institutions he thinks are present that enable people to freely speak/ act out on their racism.
2) I'm interested in asking this because I'd hope that he could draw a parallel to some of the therapies that are currently offered where people get to speak on their most private and dangerous thoughts with no repercussions.

Starteese.S said...

After reading Zimmerland, one good question that I am inclined to ask Adjei-Brenyah is how long did it take you to come up with such an creative concept to write about. I'm intrigued to ask this question because I think reading Zimmerland it had some really good thought out parts to it, for example having individuals go back forth during complex situations.

Starteese.S said...

After reading Zimmerland, one good question that I am inclined to ask Adjei-Brenyah is how long did it take you to come up with such an creative concept to write about. I'm intrigued to ask this question because I think reading Zimmerland it had some really good thought out parts to it, for example having individuals go back forth during complex situations.
Starteese S.

A’nya Wilkes said...

1) I would ask about where he draws inspiration from for these futuristic, but grounded short stories.

2) I'm interested in the question I asked because his stories are truly unique but they always have this sort of grounded element where he is trying to push a message across. I think it's interesting how he blends futuristic elements with themes than can still apply today.

Calviana S. said...

First the question would be what inclined you to write this novel and did you sometimes become hesitant with publishing this book in regards to the genre. I’m interested in this question because it’s one that ran through my mind many times as I was reading this novel.

Calviana Shepherd

Anjel Vela said...

After reading the story Zimmerland, I would like to ask what the symbolism or hidden meanings of his stories are. I would ask this because many of these stories go beyond the simple plot on the paper, they can be applied to real life issues in society.

Jordan W. said...

1.) After reading the story, one good question that I would ask Adjei-Brenyah about his approach to storytelling in "Zimmer Land" is what inspires him or what makes him think about these stories?

2.) I would say that I am interested in this question because I believe that this author is very outside the box and or if he seen anything that inspired him to write about something like this.

Gabriel Scott said...

I would ask them why they decided to use first person as a way of storytelling. I'm interested in this question because I believe I'll get a more profound answer than just a yes or no

Shaniyah Robinson said...

1) I would ask him how did he come up with the Zimmerland mission statement.

2) I'm interested in that question because his stories make readers feel comfortable and they can sometimes be relatable and I like how the first sentence in his mission statement is to make a safe space for adults to explore problem-solving, justice, and judgment.
-Shaniyah Robinson

Ayanna Townsend said...

One question that I would love to ask Adjei-Brenyah is why he chooses to approach telling stories about racial injustice the way that he does with all of his short stories. Personally, I would ask the author this question because he genuinely does a magnificent job providing the readers with real life scenarios, therefore making me curious to know what inspired him do tell his stories that way.

-Townsend

Honesty Simmons said...

After reading the story, one good question that I would ask the author would be about his approach. Why did he decide to tell the story in first person? What insipred him to make such novels? Overall, the imagery in the story was really good and helped with the story telling.

Aerin T. said...

1.) After reading this story, I would want to ask the author where his inspiration comes from.

2.) I would ask this because I feel like it could lead to a great discussion about how bizarre our justice system is and can be.

Britney Wallace said...

After reading “Zimmer land” one question I would ask is, why would he make the owner of the company a white male? I am interested in this question because the scenarios that were being played never had any real “justice” taking place, even though the whole goal was to teach people about how to respond to racial conflicts.

Britney Wallace

Heaven Watkins said...

1) After reading the story one question I would ask the author is why he made all the short stories in the book about this certain topic and how did he come up with these creative stories?
2) I want to ask the author this because I want to know if this is how he feel about our justice system and what made him tell it in first person.

Madison Wilkins said...

1) The one question I would ask the author is what inspiration drived him to create these stories?
2) I would ask this question because I am interested in what leads people to make successful, creative, and meaningful stories.

Kehajana Tallie said...

1) A question I would ask is where did the author get the idea to write this story and what was his thought process behind it?

2) I want to ask the author this because I want to know how he came up with the story and the details. I think it will make an interesting conversation.

Kailiah Williams said...

After reading Zimmerland, I’m curious to know what systems, institutions, or places are enabling and encouraging people to act on their racist views? I would like to ask this question because I feel like there is a boundary that differentiates “hateful speech” from freedom of speech.

Kailiah W. said...

After reading Zimmerland, I’m curious to know what systems, institutions, or places are enabling and encouraging people to act on their racist views? I would like to ask this question because I feel like there is a boundary that differentiates “hateful speech” from freedom of speech.

Atayah Smith said...

1) After reading “Zimmer Land” I feel inclined to ask Adjei-Brenyah how he is able to turn traumatic racial experiences into creative short stories, without feeling that strong, overpowering anger (that once fueled our drive fight back).
2) I believe my question would prompt people to use their own creative outlets to channel their emotions towards discrimination, and create something dark, bold, blinding, and beautiful…something that screams “I am proud to be Black”.

Madisen Wilkins said...

After reading Zimmerland, a question I feel inclined to ask Adjei-Brenyah is what is the story truly trying to represent in our world, and how does this storyline represent it. I am interested in this question because the story does take more known concepts to a more extreme degree, and I would want to understand what concepts is Adjei-Brenyah trying to highlight with this story.
Madisen Wilkins

Gabrielle S. said...

After reading Zimmerland, the one good question that I want to ask Adjei-Brenyah is how did you have the courage to step out of the basic narrative. I want to ask this because I think reading it enlightened me.

Damen Ward said...

1.) Something I would like to ask Adej-Brenyah about his approach to telling this story, is what impact does he hope for it to have on readers?
2.) I think it will give us a sense of realization about certain aspects of our society and hopefully make an impact on the issue's occurrence.

Xavier Stacker said...

My question for the author after reading this story is, why are all the stories told in first person.

The reason why I am asking is that I am curious as to why they made that artistic decision since some could be in 3rd, however it is always first.

Leea S. said...

1. I would ask the author what made him want to write this story and what his inspiration?
2.I would ask this question because the imagery throughout the story helped me understand it a little bit.

Sandy Stokes said...

i would ask what made them write the story. i would like to ask this question just to see their inspiration

Anonymous said...

1. I would ask what the author was thinking when they made this story.

2. I am concerned to think that this story is a representation of a hopeless black man getting paid to be endlessly abused for no good reason. - Arterrious Thorpe

Anonymous said...

After reading Zimmerland, a question I'd generate for the author would be, "What kinds of experiences of your own inspired you to write such a story?". This question interests me because the topics are too loud to not have been created with much personality behind it.
- Jaisha Sims

Preston Wingo said...

1.) A good question worth considering is what trials or tribulations happened in his life that struck him so deeply he used it as inspiration in his story.
2.) I'm interested in this because everyone has a story and behind this one it was very symbolic in nature and it alluded to a couple other things that we’re related to the narrative as well.

DeAndre W. said...

1. One question I would ask Adjei-Brenyah is why do you feel like short stories worked better than longer stories.
2. I’m interested in this because it would give a more in depth look of how the author thinks

Deaunzze T said...

1. A question I would like to ask the author is why he chose this particular approach to telling these stories.
2. They pull people in from the and there is a unique way of writing. I want to know why he chose this. What were his thoughts when he decided to write these stories?

Jayla walker said...

1. I would ask about how they get inspiration to write such intriguing work in the first place.
2. I am interested in this because I want to know of where the inspiration. comes from reflects the writing

Zaria Wiley said...

Zaria Wiley

1. Who is your target audience for these stories and what is your goal for the reader?

2. I would ask the author this question because I don't necessarily understand who would be the best audience to read this and what the purpose is.

I think Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is very talented and extremely creative, however a lot of his stories highlight black pain and trauma, which is very triggering to read. That leads me to question who his intended audience is, and what the intended purpose of these stories is.

Devin Willis said...

One question I would ask is how does he come up with his short stories of his? 2. I’m interested in that question because the stories are good and I would want to know the background from them.

Erin Myers said...

Anonymous Damien W said...
1. A question that I would be willing to ask is, why would you shoot an innocent black man in the first place. More importantly with fake bullets which is a threat regardless. Also another question Ill ask is are they shooting him because their afraid of his presence or his body language.
2. I was interested in asking this question because it was very important and it needs an explanation.

March 23, 2022 at 5:03 PM

(Originally posted to https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=595859379914711075&postID=8610327050229053495&page=1&token=1648472970375)

Erin Myers said...

Sarai WB said...
One of the many questions I would ask is what the inspiration was and were there any moments where you thought certain scenes were too much or too overpowering for your readers?
It's just so much goes on in the world and not everybody agrees with other decisions or opinions, and we live in such a chaotic world.

-Sarai WB

March 25, 2022 at 7:56 PM

(Originally posted to https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=595859379914711075&postID=8610327050229053495&page=1&token=1648472970375)

Erin Myers said...

Anozha S.:

1.) After reading Zimmer land I would ask the author if the way that he tells stories is the way that he truly views the world

2.)I want to ask this because I want to understand other people's experience being a black person considering that fact that we don't all have the same perspective or experience being black people.

Anonymous said...

1.) After reading "Zimmer Land " one question I would raise is how did the idea come about.

2.) My question would be useful because it's an intense idea and, I know others would be questionable on the same question as well.





-SARAH ROLLINS <3.

Erin Myers said...

Me-Na S.:

1). After reading Zimmer land I would be inclined to ask the author how did he come up with this creative way to connect and tell stories? Is this his way of sensoring real world events?
2).I would ask this because everyone has their own creative twist to tell stories. I would like to know the inspiration behind the story of Zimmer land.

Erin Myers said...

Nikiyah T.:

1.) what made you name the story Zimmer land and why did you choose to use short stories as a way to get the racial injustice idea headlined?
2.) I'm interested in that question because racial injustice is a big topic in the African American community and Zimmer land is an interesting name.

Erin Myers said...

Brandon W.:

1) After reading Zimmerland I would like to ask where he gets his inspiration from, to write such realistic but futuristic POV that most people can put themselves into.

2) I ask this because I am curious as to how Adjei-Brenyah can come up with such unique ideas that present race relations in such a way that all people can understand.

Anonymous said...

1.) One question I would ask the author is what pushed him to make these short stories and did he think that he would have this many people reading his stories.

2.) I am interested on what pushed him to make this short story because many of the scenarios of racism he used some of us can very well relate to and was wondering if any of these had happened to him. In which is the reason he is writing about it to express how he felt from the situation.

-DeMarco Smith

Sealaya Washington said...

1.) What is the message you are trying to give your readers and what is the real-world significance?


2.) I think the answer to my question would help readers that do not see that his "stories" have a very realistic element that some people may not be aware of.


- S. Washington

Erin Myers said...

Sydney W.:

1. What inspires the author to approach creating his stories differently than other authors?
2. I am interested in this question because I have read different books in my years and this author has a very different approach to the way that he tells his stories.

Unknown said...

1> I would ask Zimmerland where he comes with the ideas on how to write such a shocking yet clever short stories.
2> I want to ask this because his type of writing style seems to be one that has deeper concept in which only the author can answer.
Jonah W

Caleb W. said...

1. The question that I would ask the author is how much time does he spend each day brain storming each idea for his stories?
2. I am interested in this because he comes up with a lot of concepts that most of us wouldn't think about.

Gabriel Scott said...

I would ask them how they came up with the story idea. I'm interested in asking because he paints this world in the way that people have decided to make a profit out of people's "death" and it's an interesting look at something.
-Gabriel Scott

Gabriel Scott said...

I would ask them how they came up with the story idea. I'm interested in asking because he paints this world in the way that people have decided to make a profit out of people's "death" and it's an interesting look at something.-Gabriel Scott

Niobe Young said...

1.) I would ask Adjei-Brenyah if he writes his stories based off of dreams and nightmares that he has combined with dystopian films he's watched over his lifetime.

2.) I'm interested in this question because I have a complex type of brain just like him, I have similar ideas that have gone through my head and I love conspiracy theories so I can relate to him on that level and usually what I think about is based off of realistic dreams I've had.

Kiara Umana said...

1) I would love to ask Adjei-Brenyah how he generates the ideas for his stories to write; as in, if he comes up with them through a person's real feelings/thoughts?

2)I'm interested in asking this question because the stories are very intriguing and unique. I tend to dive deep into the stories and find them almost relatable as well.

Janelle W said...

1.) One questin I would ask the author was how long did it take you to come up with these and what made him want to writw stories like that

2.) I am instrested in asking him because I want to know was he inspired by somene else or if he is just that creative to make up stories thats so unique and different.

Erin Myers said...

Ty'Ria R.:

After reading Zimmerland I would ask him what made him choose this story. I would want to know how he came up with this idea and what current problems influenced thos decsion.