The stories of Uwem Akpan's Say You're One of Them reflect the principle of solidarity prominent in Catholic social teaching since Vatican II. In relation to Akpan's Jesuit vocation following the Second Vatican Council, this principle is seen to be a key to the religious imagery and underlying theology of the narratives. Anselm Min's theology of solidarity illuminates the social justice concerns that Akpan explores in various African countries. Repeatedly, whether when portraying the Rwandan genocide, slums, human trafficking, or interreligious conflict, Akpan invites his readers to reflect on the circumstances portrayed in relation to Christian and familial solidarity.
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