I have ordered a couple of Canadian books, the latest is Agent of Change, written by a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) agent of colour, who spent years working for them. Huda Mukbil is an amazing woman, who fought to change the Canadian spy agency. The culture of this spy agency arose from a white male dominated, RCMP-retiree group. It was based in police and military attitudes. It's is a darn good read.
Mukbil was the first Black Arab-Canadian Muslim woman to work for the agency. The men were afraid of her. These men blocked her from any significant jobs with seniority. She hit the glass ceiling, blocked by men jealous of her expertise and competence. She was an asset, highly vetted (herself and her family and friends, as CSIS does), who worked hard to sussed out terrorists.
She speaks four languages, and understood her culture. She gave lectures to CSIS colleagues, adding to their knowledge and understanding of 'the other.' After beginning to wear her hijab, she faced further bigotry. When managers began to come down on her, they forbade her to go to mosque.
She was seconded to MI-5 in England, through a request by the Five-Eyes Agency (Canada, US, Australia, New Zealand, UK) as they recognized her knowledge, expertise in Counter Intelligence, languages, cultural knoweldge, and skills. You can read some of her story here: Veil of Secrecy: The Muslim Canadian spy who took down London extremists.
I have read a number of books by women who faced that glass ceiling, i.e., THE RED WALL: A Woman in the RCMP. Also, Donovan, Kelly; Police Line – Do Not Cross.
These whistle blowers pave the way for future members. It opens the eyes of we white people who fear that which we do not understand. I taught in multicultural schools. It isn't difficult to learn and understand others. Should you choose to.
📚My Book Review page. I do love reading! Publishers used to send me books to review. Those days are gone.
This is the weather for reading indoors! The garbage is out. When I arose, I checked the temperature and it was -17 ℃. I went back, hoping by 7 a.m. it'd be a tad warmer. NOPE! It had gone down a degree.
10 comments:
She sounds like an interesting person, with keen insight. It gets discouraging to realize that women must continue the battle for equal treatment. Here's to the strong, younger ones who have taken up the challenge.
Light snow here, but not nearly as could as your area. Stay warm!
I was kind of surprised it had dropped after I came downstairs too. I hope the sunshine brings it up some.
Publishers are more likely to send out ARCs as ebooks. They can then make them disappear from your device after the review period. I have also done reviews, but not so many anymore.
Good sounding book, and such an interesting life! Secrets is a word I planned to write a blog about, but can't remember why or what! Keep warm! We've got a rainy cold day today!
Winter is perfect for getting through the stack of books I've set aside. I think I should get all the cookies made first, so I have something to snack on ;)
This is bitterly cold. Great day for some book reading. Stay warm and if you can, blow a bit of the cold temps to Texas...
I can completely believe that happening in the work place.
I still get angry when hearing stories like these. So unfair. -Kate
Delighted with the book recommend; it is perfect for my daughter who hit the same culture at NATO. Thanks a pile.
Both of these sound extremely good and fascinating reads. Thanks for the recommendation. And I love the newest display!
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