In crossing oceans for our 40-day honeymoon trip through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, my wife and I had put ourselves back in the closet for a constellation of reasons. Public displays of affection were frowned upon in these countries, so we were careful not to kiss or cuddle in restaurants the way we would’ve back home in Boston.
Read MoreTo access world literature beyond what was translated and censored in the Islamic Republic, I had to improve my English and enter the world of banned books which were smuggled in alongside alcohol, Western film, and music. Limited and expensive, but accessible through the right contacts. Reading books from across the world was a turning point in my life.
Read MoreFour years ago, I moved to Brazil from my home in Chicago. And when people asked me what my calling as a Black American journalist in Brazil was, I said: To save Afro-Brazilians. I wanted to help Black Brazilians confront racism, rise out of poverty, and achieve their full potential in life. Two years passed before the first person challenged my aspirations.
Read MoreWhether it’s called the farmers’ market, the wet market, or the central market, it’s one of the first destinations on my itinerary, no matter where I land in the world. The reasons can be practical—simply buying some fresh fruit to eat—but they can also extend far beyond that as a means of entry into a culture.
Read MoreBy designing clothing and accessories that tell the story of their personal experiences, minority and immigrant designers are not only using design to stay connected to their roots, but to also share their cultural pride with others. I’m a fashion anthropologist, and I’m working to highlight these designers’ efforts.
Read MoreAngie Cruz, award-winning author of Dominicana, Soledad, and Let it Rain, discusses the most-anticipated books of winter/spring 2021.
Read MoreLisa Niver, now a prolific travel writer, blogger and television commentator, writes about reinventing herself after divorce and the books that helped her succeed.
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