Her book, Beating Heart, is a must read for anyone living in DC and/or passionate about the DC community. The novel, while fiction, addresses many social issues in DC, specifically in Anacostia. It is a story of gentrification, racism, social stratification, and affordable housing policy. Race is addressed as both personal and institutionalized, and central to the theme of the story. El-Eini demonstrates effectively how this ties in with class struggles and poverty, particularly in DC's southeast neighborhoods. The white protagonist, in turn, faces some racially-charged challenges when seeking acceptance in Anacostia's tight knit community. All characters, both black and white, must put aside prejudice and fear and work as a team to serve in Anacostia. The message is clear: there is work to be done in the nation's capital. Behind the politics and the tourists, there is a community riddled with crime, poverty, educational deficits, and racial injustices. In order to heal this city and bring wholeness and independence to its citizens, we must first come together against racism and fight for our community.--Megan
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