Charles
Introduction I met Charles working at the Portland Public Library. I was a relatively new employee, but had quickly discovered that a favorite part of my job was meeting the increasingly diverse array of patrons who frequented the space. One of the first stops many new Mainers make upon arriving in Portland is the library. As Charles later highlighted in our interview, many newcomers, be they from another state or another country utilize the resources at the library to help establish themselves here. Furthermore, having spent time in east Africa I am often able to speak to new patrons from Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo about places, events, and politics. This helps to establish bonds and people are generally happy when I express interest in their place of origin. Conversations about Burundi, and it being January, lamentations over the cold and snow moved Charles and I towards friendship. Though he is less depend...