Aftermath

Usman Khan was convicted of terrorism-related offenses at age 20 and was released eight years later. He went to London to attend an event marking the fifth anniversary of a prison education program he participated in. There, he killed two people: Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt. Preti Taneja, who taught fiction writing in prison for three years, writes about the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. She interrogates the language of terror, trauma, and grief, and contends with the systemic nature of atrocity. Aftermath is a profound attempt to regain trust after violence and to recapture a politics of hope through a determined dream of abolition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 07 April 2022
Publisher: And Other Stories

Usman Khan, a young man at the age of 20, faced charges related to terrorism and was sentenced to a high-security prison. After serving eight years in confinement, he was granted a one-day leave to attend an event commemorating the fifth anniversary of a prison education program he had participated in. On November 29, 2019, Usman gathered at Fishmongers Hall, where he reconnected with some familiar faces. He then proceeded to the bathroom to retrieve a fake bomb vest and two knives, which he taped to his wrists.

On that fateful day, Usman carried out a devastating attack, killing two individuals: Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt. Preti Taneja, a fiction writing instructor in prison, had been teaching Usman for three years. Merritt oversaw her program, and Usman was one of her students. In her powerful and deeply personal essay, Taneja explores the aftermath of this tragic event. She reflects on the language of terror, trauma, and grief, as well as the fictions we believe and the voices we exclude.

Taneja contends with the pain of unspeakable loss set against the backdrop of public tragedy. She draws on history, memory, and the poetic traditions of her predecessors to reckon with the systemic nature of atrocity. Aftermath blurs the boundaries between genres and forms, offering a profound exploration of the aftermath of violence and a determined dream of abolition. Through her writing, Taneja seeks to regain trust after trauma and to recapture a politics of hope through a steadfast commitment to the abolition of violence.

Usman Khan's story is a haunting reminder of the devastating consequences of terrorism. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for dialogue, understanding, and compassion in the face of adversity. Taneja's essay is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of literature to heal and transform. As we navigate the complexities of our world, let us remember the lessons learned from Usman Khan and Preti Taneja and work towards a future where peace and justice prevail.

Weight: 204g
Dimension: 292 x 197 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913505462