CELEBRATING CROSS-CULTURAL IDENTITY
@CULTURSMAG
WWW.CULTURSMAG.COM
THE JINGLE
DRESS
PROJECT
— WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW IT
FINDING
HAPPINESS Through Yoga Science
2020 TIME
CAPSULE A Year to Remember
Gift Giving for the
CULTURALLY FLUID
Get to Know, the Jingle Dress Project — page 16
Photography: Eugene Tapahe, Tapahe Photography Models (L to R): JoAnni Begay Erin Tapahe Dion Tapahe Sunni Begay
We are a global, multicultural philanthropic brand that uses media, lifestyle products and experiences to foster human connection in cross-cultural populations. For those in-between culture, race, ethnicity, nation or location, we empower communication at the intersection of social justice and cultural fluidity.
CONTENTS
LOOKBOOK 2020
4
FEATURES ON OUR COVER
16 The Jingle Dress Project
THE MUST LIST 16
50 The Gift of Happiness 24 2020 Time Capsule 50 Gift Giving for the Culturally Fluid
Must Know: Art Heals
24 Must Buy: E-kits
Time Capsule
26 Must Read: Niksen book 32 Must Buy: Canada's Fountain of Purity 36 Must See: Making Royal Dreams Come Through 38 Must Listen: Ghanaian Musician 40 Must Know: Lion King on Clubhouse 42 Must Know: Black Pearl Marketplace
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
IN EVERY 34 ISSUE Give back to the earth
2020 Lookbook | www.CultursMag.com
5 Contributors 8
Publisher’s Letter
12
Culturally Fluid Definitions
44 Transnational Third Culture Kid Filmmakers 50 Yoga Science for Yoga Mastery
CONTRIBUTORS ANDREA BAZOIN (pronounced “Bah-Zwah”) is a higher education professional turned entrepreneur. She is the founder of everHuman, LLC (www.everhuman.io), a company that provides tech support alongside coaching, project assistance and workshops delivered with both expertise and empathy. Her family ties span the globe and include Chile, Argentina, Australia and France. She currently lives in Fort Collins, Colo., with her French husband and culturally fluid son.
Third Culture Kid Expert MYRA DUMAPIAS is the Chief Executive Officer of TCKidNOW, which has been featured on the BBC, ABC News, The Telegraph, the U.S. Department of Defense and Education Week, and helped thousands discover their TCK identity and find a sense of belonging long before there mention of the term on social media. TCKidNow provides trauma-informed educational outreach about the lifetime impact of a transnational upbringing. While acknowledging the role healing plays in helping TCKs recognize and develop their skills, TCKidNOW fosters connections that not only help TCKs find a sense of belonging and give back to the world they grew up in. Dumapias holds a Bachelor’s in English and World Literature and a Master’s in Social Work.
Adult Third Culture Kid, NGOC (BI) NGUYEN was born in Moscow, Russia, raised in Hanoi, Vietnam and educated in an International French school for twelve years before moving to Conn., U.S.A. for boarding school. She is the author of “Weird Culture Kids,” a memoir about identity and growing up TCK. She currently lives in France.
EUGENE TAPAHE, Diné (Navajo), is the owner, photographer and graphic designer at Tapahe Photography and Tapahe Inventive Design. His experience ranges from Managing Editor, Art Director, Senior Animator/Designer, and Photographer for publications such as The Navajo Times, and ESPN The Magazine, Communication Arts Magazine, and Photoshop User Magazine. He draws creative inspiration from his Navajo culture and credits his traditional upbringing for his continued success. His photography and work in his professional career have taken him to the NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series and other major world events.
DIANA VEGA is a Third Culture Adult. Born in Mexico and passioned about design, they studied architecture and started a small a business after college. Interested in entrepreneurship, Vega moved to Colo., to earn an MBA at Colorado State University. Now repatriated to Mexico, they are a graphic designer and illustrator for Culturs magazine. Two-Minute Yoga-Activist, SHANTHI YOGINI, leads the movement “Don’t DO YogaH, LIVE YogaH!” to ensure that ancient YogaH (Yoga) is not portrayed as a fitness exercise. As a Yoga-Master, she teaches YogaH as a way-of-life through eight steps to mind-mastery. Her two-Minute practices intend to bring instant transformation. A former software engineer, Yogini comes from a lineage of Yoga Masters. Her students learn YogaH in its authentic, pristine and purest form, in-person and online. She trains Yoga teachers as leaders, NOT as Yoga instructors. The two-time international best-selling author and speaker offers eye-opening presentations of YogaH as a solution for ALL life problems. A free download of BOOK ONE of her series “Happiness: The Key to Success — Twelve Meditation Steps to Uncover Your Joy, Healing and Success” is available at YogaforHappiness.com.
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2020 Lookbook
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PRAISE FOR THE
FALL ISSUE CELEBRA TING CROS
S-CULTU RAL IDE
NTITY @CULTU RSMAG WW W.CUL TURSMA G.COM
"@cultursmag I love how you knew EXACTLY what I meant. I feel seen." — @marilyngardner5
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V I E T NA M DEST INAT ION: M ER IDA, YUCATA N
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"Love this."
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2020 Fall 2020
$10.95 CAN
"I'm so grateful to have a platform to give voice to people and subjects that matter to people like me —an ACCK and TCA. I've always been in-between, boxed in, and misunderstood." — Antoinette L. T.
Connect with Culturs on social:
"Feeling you! Often thinking about what a special home you've created with your magazine."
@CultursMag
@CultursGuruTCK
— Rebecca V.
"Congratulations on Culturs. I've tried to find it at B&N but is was already sold out. Guess I will need to get a subscription! The magazine looks great!." — Mark C.
"Excited to grab a copy! Impressed with the depth, insteresting breadth and just overall flashy coolness of Culturs." — Thomas M.
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Lookbook 2020
www.CultursMag.com Volume III, Issue X
GURU PUBLISHER & FOUNDER
"Love the depth of conversation being taken on first hand by Culturs. I find it disturbing how this is systematic cancer spread upon all of us with a drop of melanin. Looking forward to reading this issue to connect on so many levels, cry, rejoice and heal together.
Doni Aldine
EDITORIAL WEB EDITOR Michelle Ancell SENIOR EDITOR Tammy Matthews
"Wonderful articles in Culturs, the only magazine in the world designed specifically for Third Culture Kids, including Military B.R.A.T.s." — Donna M.
"It’s funny and unironic that my first magazine feature for “The Moon in You” is in the #1 Global Multicultural Magazine —Culturs." — @wandering.moons
COLUMNISTS Andrea Bazoin Myra Dumapais
MUSIC EDITOR Tommy McMillion
Standing ovation." — @coppersignatures
CONTRIBUTORS Ngoc (Bi) Nguyen Eugene Tapahe Shanthi Yogini
CREATIVE ART DIRECTION Doni Aldine COPY EDITOR Andrea Bazoin GRAPHIC DESIGN Diana Vega
PHOTOGRAPHERS Bach Bao Khuê Xavier Hadley Mikel Healey Lenn M. Photography Eugene Tapahe
WEB DESIGN McMillion Multimedia
SUPPORTERS ADVISORY BOARD Brooke Martellaro Gregory Moore Donna Musil Linda Thomas Brooks Antionette Williams Chumba Limo
SPECIAL THANKS: Colorado State University Journalism and Media Communication
Connect with Culturs on social: @CultursMag @CultursGuruTCK
"You guys are all doing such a magnificent job. Truly, thank you!." — Peter L.
Clubhouse: @CultursMag XOTV.me: @CultursMag SUBSCRIPTIONS: www.subscribe.Cultursmag.com. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Contact advertise@culturs.org. MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact press@culturs.org. CULTURSTM magazine, Volume 2, Issue 3. Copyright Culturs Global Multicultural Philanthropic Lifestyle Network. All rights reserved. Published quarterly; Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, by Simply Alive, LLC, 1800 Wazee Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80525. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Culturs magazine, 1800 Wazee Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80525. Reproduction in whole or part without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Simply Alive LLC does not assume responsibility for the advertisements, nor any representation made therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the products themselves. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts, photographs, and other material submitted. Culturs makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editorial content, however, does not make any claim as to the accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information. PRINTED IN THE USA
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
Eugene Tapahe
This year I’m especially enthralled with the jingle dress project and the work of photographer Eugene Tapahe. I hope he inspires you as he has me.
Sunni Begay
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
I’m thrilled to release our first interactive, digital production as a 2020 Lookbook that gives an overview of some of the best crosscultural finds we came across this year. It includes amazing products, productions and initiatives by cross-cultured individuals, including awe-inspiring initiatives by Black and Indigenous artists and others in our community.
history. Its stellar productions of “The Watchmen” and “Lovecraft Country,” contained both visuals and storytelling that left audiences wanting more. Looks like this reign of groundbreaking initiatives will continue with Warner Media’s announcement that its entire 2021 slate will be released globally on the same day the productions are available on HBO Max. The excitement begins Dec. 25, 2020. Culturs Autumn print issue cover featuring Patty Jenkins, a Military B.R.A.T. and director of “Wonder Woman 1984,” will release worldwide in theaters on Christmas Day in the United States and simultaneously on HBO Max at no extra cost the same day that Wonder Woman 1984 premieres in theaters. WarnerMedia plans to follow suit for all 17 productions in the 2021 slate. HBOMax availability is for the first month of the film’s release. In an early December announcement, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar says, “The entire anticipated 17-film 2021 Warner Bros. motion picture slate is going to be released throughout the coming year in theaters and on HBO Max the same day. That’s a Warner Bros. motion picture just about once every three weeks.”
Eugene Tapahe
A
long those lines, HBO Max has been killing it this year with its stellar productions celebrating oft-overlooked African-American
Dion Tapahe
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
The slate includes: ► “The Little Things” ► “Judas and the Black Messiah”
► “Tom & Jerry” (which looks unexpectedly dark in the video teaser) ► “Godzilla vs. Kong” ► “Mortal Kombat” ► “Those Who Wish Me Dead”
► “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” ► “In The Heights” ► “Space Jam: A New Legacy” ► “The Suicide Squad” ► “Reminiscence” ► “Malignant” ► “Dune” ► “The Many Saints of Newark” ► “King Richard” ► “Cry Macho”
Eugene Tapahe
► “Matrix 4”
Eugene Tapahe
Erin Tapahe
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
“We see an opportunity to do something firmly focused on the fans, which is to provide choice. Whether that choice is to enjoy a great new movie out at the cinema, to open up HBO Max, or to do both,” Kilar continued. “And on the subject of HBO Max, there are so many amazing HBO original series and Max originals I’m excited about. The Tiger Woods HBO documentary arriving in January is incredible. And this little thing called Zack Snyder’s
Justice League coming in a few months as well.” Superhero epics are an important part of the globally mobile, in-between, cross-cultural experience as they provide a place to feel “seen,” expanding on that whole concept of straddling different worlds. Straddling that in-between space also is something at which Tiger Woods is adept, so I also am excited to see what this documentary brings. And I look forward to seeing this new take on cinema — AT HOME — in the new year. May 2021 positively eclipse this year in every way possible!
All the best,
Doni (Dah-knee) Publisher and Founder ulturs — the Global C Multicultural Magazine Culturs.org Cultursmag.com
Jo Anni Begay
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Culturally Fluid Definitions n the 21st century, assessing someone’s background from outward appearance isn’t enough as hidden, rather than visual, diversity means people increasingly bring more to the table than meets the eye.
Whether through nationality, travel, race or ethnicity, many straddle culture in myriad ways. From Cultural Fluidity, to Third Culture Kid, Expat, Third Culture Adult, Cross-Cultural Kid and more, the language to describe our in-between community is of
Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK) A term coined by author Ruth Van Reken in 2002, is a person who is living, has lived, or meaningfully interacted with two or more cultural environments for a significant period of time during the first 18 years of life. This includes minoritized individuals living within majority culture.
Adult Cross-Cultural Kid (ACCK)
utmost importance. Knowing the vocabulary creates understanding and deepens our sense of belonging and connections to others with similar experiences. Here’s a quick overview so you can follow along any of our articles with ease:
Third Culture Kids (TCKs) Coined by Sociologist Ruth Useem in the 1950s as a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The first culture is considered an individual’s passport culture, while the second culture consists of the culture(s) in which the individual has lived. The third culture is a result of the person’s life experience; this is the culture to which they most belong. The third culture often is where individuals feel community with others of similar experience.
An adult who grew up as a Cross-Cultural Kid.
Domestic TCK Cultural Fluidity/Cultural Mobility A term coined by Culturs founder Donnyale Ambrosine to characterize hidden diversity created by people who don’t or didn’t grow up in a homo genous cultural environment. Culturally Fluid individuals may straddle nationalities, ethnicities, race or culture. The fluidity created allows understanding between or among their foundational areas of meaningful experience. It also may hinder sense of belonging to any one area.
Missionary Kids Children of missionaries who travel to missions domestically or abroad. 12
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Children who moved to various regions within the same country while growing up, often having to re-learn ways of being, especially as regional differences in dress, speech and action are heightened in formative years when it is important to be accepted.
Third Culture Adult (TCA) Coined in 2002 by Psychotherapist Paulette Bethel to signify individuals who travel extensively and are immersed in, or live in global locations after the age of 18 (after identity has been solidified).
Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK) An adult who grew up as a TCK.
Refugees Internationally nomadic group not characterized by a parent’s occupation. Displaced from their homeland forcibly or by choice, often having fled for varied reasons — violence, politics, religion, environment, etc. Refugees typically do not return to their origin country.
Immigrants People who, for varied reasons, immigrate to a country different than their homeland to stay permanently. Many return to their home countries to visit, though some do not.
Expatriate (Expat) As defined by Merriam Webster — to leave one’s native country to live elsewhere; which also sometimes means to renounce allegiance to one’s native country.
Military B.R.A.T. Children of military who move with parents to different places within or outside of their home country. They often experience other cultures within the confines of a military installation or compound that possesses traits of the home country.
Non-Military Foreign Service Children traveling with their parents to various countries in non-military government roles, diplomatic corps, civil service, foreign service, etc.
Diplomat Kids Children whose parents are members of the home country’s political framework while living on foreign soil.
Traveler Those who travel expecting differences among intra-international or international culture, however, not immersed in these cultures for extended periods of time, or long enough to integrate local cultural norms as their own.
International Business Kids Children whose parents work with multi-national corporations takes them to far-away lands, often in professional fields surrounding oil, construction and pharmaceuticals.
Borderlanders Described by author Ruth Van Reken in the book “Third Culture Kids,” a borderlander is a citizen of one country that lives close to another. Often the norms, customs and traits of each country’s culture seeps into the other, creating a cultural experience separate from either original culture, while allowing inhabitants keen knowledge and insight into their own culture as well as the other.
Multiracial People whose family consists of two or more races to which the individual identifies. With race often come cultural norms, slang language and attitudes that can greatly differ. Many multiracial children, though not all, have the unique opportunity to learn norms of all the cultures they comprise.
Multiethnic; Multicultural People whose family consists of two or more cultures to which the individual identifies. Even when belonging to the same race, differences in culture may exist between ethnicities, tribes and other cultural contexts.
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Fall 2020
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African American
Princesses AFFIRMATIONS
I can achieve greatness
I
I pass through obstacles
always
find
ways
with ease
to be
innovative
52 affirmations to repeat each week of the year. Brainchild of stylist LaChanda Gatson, her dream was to create positive images of black girls. Coupled with her penchant for positive affirmation, these gorgeous, one-of-a-kind cards were born.
PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR THE GIRL IN YOU! As seen:
Scan here or visit Princess.Cultursmag.com Get yours today! $24.95
From shows to watch and songs to hear, to artistry, shopping and things to explore, know and do, here's a specially curated list of things we recommend as MUST experience items for the culturally fluid.
THEMUSTLIST
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MUST l KNOW
ART HEALS: THE JINGLE DRESS PROJECT By Eugene Tapahe
Photography: Eugene Tapahe, Tapahe Photography Models (L to R): JoAnni Begay Dion Tapahe Erin Tapahe Sunni Begay
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MUST l KNOW
B
efore the COVID-19 pandemic started, this was supposed to be my year to make an impact in the art world. I had a successful art show at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ and was excited because this year I was accepted into more art shows than ever before. A few months went by, one by one, art shows cancelled because of COVID-19. The self-distancing and quarantine made my partialhearing loss and depression even worse. I didn’t know what to do. I felt broken. Then I had a dream. I was sitting in a grass field at Yellowstone National Park watching the bison graze on the horizon as the sun set. And then, slowly in the distance, I heard the healing sound of jingles. One by one, beautiful jingle dress dancers appeared. It was as if they were dancing with the bison to the rhythm of a silent drum.
“MMIW: Strength in Unity,” Grand Tetons National Park, Wyo., U.S.A., native land of the Shoshone, Bannock, Gros Ventre and Nez Perce people.
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“Sisters of One,� Yosemite National Park, Calif., U. S. A., in a traditional shelter of the Miwok people. Yosemite is native land of the Miwok and Bishop Paiute people.
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MUST l KNOW
Our dream is to take this healing power to the land, to travel and capture a series of images to document the spiritual places where our ancestors once walked. Our goal is to unite and give hope to the world through art, dance and culture to help us heal together. We will travel the land and capture a series of powerful images to document spiritual places where our ancestors once walked. — Eugene Tapahe
“Still Strength, Warrior Women.” Redwoods National and State Parks, Calif., U.S.A., native land of the Yurok, Tolowa, Karok, Chilula and Wiyot people.
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MUST l KNOW It was beautiful and peaceful. When I awoke I felt it in my heart, this was more than a dream. I couldn’t deny it. I wanted to deny it because it seemed impossible to obtain, especially during this uncertain time of the COVID-19 pandemic and the turmoil of the racial and political differences in the world.
“Whispers of Healing,” Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Ariz., U.S.A., native land of the Navajo people.
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As I retold the dream to my family they could feel it too. We knew this had to happen. We started the project with little money and lots of faith and hope it would work. It had to.
MUST l KNOW “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project” was born. My dream was to take the healing power of the Ojibwe jingle dress to the land, to travel, to dance and capture a series of images to document the spiritual places our ancestors once walked. And to unite and give hope to the world through art, dance and culture to help us heal together.
On the first photo shoot, Dion, Erin, JoAnni, Sunni and I learned how to work together. They weren’t models. I wasn’t a portrait photographer. It was awkward, frustrating and new. But, from the moment they started to jingle dance on the land, it all changed. I felt, what I felt in my dream: beauty and peace.
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MUST l KNOW
Tapahoe designed the red scarf the jingle dress dancers wear with their regalia in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), the color red symbolizes the loss of sacred lifeblood through violence. Red also represents the heart, the non-discriminate part of people which enables us to love everyone. The scarf has a silhouette of a jingle dress dancer, with text, words of Native American issues and slogans typed around the silhouette: “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,” “Not Your Mascot,” “Protect the Sacred” and “Standing for Unity.”
Grand Tetons National Park, Wyo., U.S.A., native land of the Shoshone, Bannock, Gros Ventre and Nez Perce people.
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MUST l KNOW
I cried. I could feel myself healing from the uncertainties of the world — time slowed down. As I listened to the jingles, I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I was doing what I was supposed to do and no matter how difficult this project would be, it needed to be done. Four months later, the project is bigger than I imagined. The support, the love and the encouragement from all over the world has been inspirational. It has motivated Dion, Erin, JoAnni, Sunni and me through our trials and difficulties while traveling on our photo shoots. It has been beautiful, emotional, empowering and most importantly, healing. It has changed our lives for the better. I don’t know where this project will go from here, but I know it will be beautiful –– because my family will always be a part of it. As my daughter so eloquently said, “Daddy, you’re not in this to make
money or get rich, you’re in it to change the world.” I have, my world is so much happier and fulfilling because of this project –– keep dreaming because dreams do come true. To support the Jingle Dress project, visit tapahe.com
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Time capsule
E-kits
F
or better or worse, 2020 has been a year to remember. If you’re needing a special gift this season, our very own Technology Columnist, Andrea Bazoin created a Time
Capsule E-Kit — instant download so you recall all the ups and downs of a history making year.
CREATE YOUR 2020 TIME CAPSULE FOR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES Use it for yourself, or share it as a gift for someone you love. It’s the perfect way to honor what we’ve all been through in 2020. The kit includes: • Full instructions • An About Me 2020 snapshot worksheet • 2020-themed journal + interview prompts • A list of creative artifact ideas to include in your time capsule This 2020 Time Capsule E-Kit is an instant download. $10 at www.EverHuman.io
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2020 Lookbook
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MUST l READ
NIKSEN BOOK The dutch art of doing nothing
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T
he Dutch people are some of the happiest in the world. Why? Perhaps because they are masters of niksen, or the art of doing nothing. We all use varied forms of self-soothing to cope with the unresolved grief that comes with being cross-cultural. Research now shows that microagressions lessen the life expectancy for people of color and Third Culture Kids are well known for extreme busyness as a form of coping. Alas, overachivement may not be all it’s cracked up to be. Enter Niksen. Niksen is not a form of meditation, nor is it a state of laziness or boredom. It’s not scrolling through social media or wondering what you’re going to
cook for dinner. Rather, to niksen is to make a conscious choice to sit back, let go, and do nothing at all. Backed with advice from the world’s leading experts on happiness and productivity, this book examines the underlying science behind niksen and how doing less can often yield so much more. Perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed, burnt out, or exhausted, NIKSEN does not tell you to work harder. Instead, it shows you how to take a break from all the busyness while giving you sincere, heartfelt permission to do nothing. “My book is about niksen, the Dutch art of doing nothing. But is doing nothing really typically Dutch?,” says author Olga Mecking. “Many Dutch people told me that they were too busy to really do nothing. But during my research, I found that while niksen is a Dutch word, the desire to do nothing is truly universal. From Swahili to Italian, almost every language on Earth had something positive to say about doing nothing, resting, relaxing and chilling out.” Mecking emphasizes that many feel guilty when not working and that the tension
between the desire to do nothing and cultural influences that make it difficult, is what connects us. This book shows how to do nothing in the most important areas of your life: AT HOME: Find a comfy nook and sit. No technology or other distractions. AT WORK: Stare at your computer. Take in the view from your office. Close your eyes. IN PUBLIC: Forget waiting for the bus, enjoy some relaxing niksen time. Mecking herself is a Third Culture Adult and mum to Third Culture Kids who blend multiple cultures and languages. Originally from Poland, she currently lives in Germany. The Niksen book will appear in 15 languages and will be published worldwide. $19.99 Available Jan. 2021, olgamecking.com to join the preorder list
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MUST l READ
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N
goc (Bi) Nguyen was born in Moscow, Russia, raised in Hanoi, Vietnam and educated in an International French school for twelve years before moving to Conn., U.S.A. for boarding school. She is the author of “Weird Culture Kids,” a memoir about identity and growing up TCK. She currently lives in France. Constantly asked “where are you from?,” she began an identity quest to find the answer. The result is a new book titled “Weird Culture Kids.” In true TCK fashion, she’s created her own term, rather than use the one made almost universal by decades of research. However, the memoir shares heartfelt stories of Third Culture Kids (TCK) and aims to demonstrate that beyond rootlessness, Third Culture individuals indeed belong to a tribe. Nguyen’s observations along interviews with other TCKs provide raw, insightful, poignant observations of the in-betweenness, grief, and experiences many of our readers share. Here are some of her findings along the quest: Thanks to the publishing journey of “Weird Culture Kids,“ I have had the chance to speak to more than a hundred weirdos about their experiences growing
up between different places and cultures. And although each conversation is very unique and fascinating in its own right, I can’t help but also notice the many commonalities between all of them. Three different “characters” always appear in the stories of heartbreaks and laughters that my interviewees shared with me: They all speak to me about their varying degrees of nostalgia when reminiscing about their younger days. Many carry their nostalgia around, like a badge of honor, as if to remind themselves (and others around them) that their past was very well-lived and accessible to them at all times through their memories. Quite quickly, once the reminiscing process is done, pain comes along and plummets the ambiance. Different types of pain: The pain of leaving a city, a country or a continent. The pain of leaving people and things behind. Most importantly, the pain of leaving crumbles of themselves behind. Then, at a later stage, comes the pain of letting go and of becoming something different — first forcefully, then almost naturally— in order to adapt to their new environment. I’ve come to understand they rarely talk about this kind of pain because of the systematic sense of guilt they feel.
And just like that, guilt seamlessly enters our conversation. Without exception, all the interviewees feel guilty for voicing any type of sorrow regarding their weird culture life. Simply because it is of the privileged kind. Almost like a prerogative that only the luckiest kids get to experience, while the average ones get to skip. Sometimes, the presence of guilt is so strong that we just stop the interview all together. I believe that’s where the danger lies. That’s how, as a community, we’ve created a vicious circle of not speaking up because their pain looks a lot like an imagined one. One that is not deserving of sympathy in a world filled with more real and more urgent types of pain. So they minimize their sorrows and try to be normal — or at least, less culturally weird. As a result, nostalgia gets all the attention, While pain and guilt remain neglected. Listening to these stories made me feel a lot of compassion towards the issues and problems that they encountered through life. I realized that their problems weren’t too different from mine. I automatically felt a lot of compassion towards myself and my own journey, as well.
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NEVER COMPARE PAIN Just as happiness is a personal and subjective matter, so is pain. It just is. The pain of losing a country is no smaller or bigger than the pain of losing a whole continent. There’s never enough time. Because,
how much time is enough time to love someone? To say goodbye? To take advantage of the present moment? To forget a lover? To understand a culture? To let go of a previous self? There’s a much bigger need to talk about sadness than about happiness because as a community we have bottled up the former in favor of the latter. That’s why it’s insanely easy to celebrate happiness but incredibly hard to embrace sadness. Find people with whom you can talk about your sadness and hang onto them. “The brightest flame casts the darkest shadow.”
Happiest hellos cause the most painful goodbyes. That’s the natural state of things. If you’re constantly gaining newness, you’re continuously losing familiarity. Quick Insights You know what’s the best part, though? Despite the nostalgia, the pain and the guilt, there have never been any regrets. Everyone unanimously agreed that it was all worth it. And that’s the best conclusion I could ever ask for. Find “Weird Culture Kids” at Amazon.com, $19.99
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CANADA’S FOUNTAIN OF PURITY
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ountain of Purity is a Canadian organic skin care company with a mission is to enhance the health and beauty world with skin care products made of only organic and natural ingredients to promote a pure and balanced lifestyle and well-being. A key focus of the company is to exude positivity by promising to deliver extraordinary service and the healthiest ingredients for effective skin care products that minimize harmful toxins and substances often found in commercial products. The company is committed to protecting the future of our planet through the spread of positivity, green practices and a natural lifestyle.
Catering to acne-prone and oily skin, the company’s Turmeric Moisturizing Facial Oil is made from only three ingredients: Turmeric oil, golden jojoba oil,and fractionated coconut oil. A combination of the three provides a perfect consistency to moisturize skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and enhance skin complexion for all skin types providing a natural glow. Optimize its benefits by using 4-5 drops nightly. A formula for all skin types is Chia Seed Moisturizing Oil formula is made from four natural ingredients: Chia seed oil, Sweet almond oil, Macadamia oil and Lavender oil. This natural blend is said to restore vital moisture and assist in reducing UV damage due to chia seed oil’s anti-inflammatory properties. For dry or acne-prone skin, there is Turmeric Moisturizing Oil infused with Avocado. Made from
turmeric oil, extra virgin avocado oil,and fractionated coconut oil. Perfect for combatting dry, irritated or flakey skin with avocado’s fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E. $18.99 to 25, FountainofPurity.com
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GIFT BACK TO
THE EARTH FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AT HOME
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he environment is changing, the world is getting warmer and as inhabitants of the earth, we have a responsibility to do what we can to protect the planet.
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IN THE ROOF
Previously, we have examined Five Ways to Improve the Environment Every Day where simple changes to the way you live your life can help impact climate change. Alone, one person cannot make a difference, but collectively, we can. Collectively, we can reduce carbon emissions and improve the world for the generation that follows us. This starts at home; from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep. We already have a head start in 2020, with Nature reporting carbon emissions decreased by 17% because of people spending more time at home during the recent pandemic. With people at home for prolonged periods of time, there are many small hacks and changes you could make around your house that could further help the fight against carbon emissions.
IN THE KITCHEN There are plenty of small hacks you can use around the kitchen which save energy without impacting your day-to-day life. For instance, the energy saving pointers by HomeServe Living includes boiling water in the kettle when preparing food such as pasta, rather than heating it from cold on the stove. A kettle uses far less energy to heat the water; so regularly using the kettle to boil water for cooking reduces your energy usage over the course of a year. Be aware of how much water you put in the kettle too – only boil what you need, when you need it.
IN THE BATHROOM
If you have some time on your hands during the pandemic, why not check out your roof insulation to make sure it is of an acceptable standard. A third of all heat lost by the home is through inadequate insulation in the roof, so get the ladders down and have a look at what insulation you have up there. It works both ways too – it can keep the house warmer in winter, but in the warm summer months an insulated roof helps prevent the home from warming up too much under the hot sun.
IN THE LIVING AREA Phantom power costs US homeowners hundreds of dollars each year without them even knowing it. Phantom power is where you leave an appliance plugged in, draining power, with no discernable outcome. This includes charging a cell phone overnight because it reaches 100% charge and continues to drain power while you are asleep. It also includes laptops and televisions left plugged in and on standby. It is estimated that you could cut your energy bills by 10% simply by unplugging and switching items off at the wall.
THROUGH THE DOORS Drafts are a real menace to energy bills, and you might not even notice them as being a problem. If you have a draft, however meagre it might seem, it means heat you are paying for is escaping your home. This might be under ill-fitting doors, or through windows which need replacing. Whilst wholesale renovations may be challenging in the winter, you can alleviate the problem by using draft excluders under doors, or thick curtains over windows which help keep the cold out, and the heat in.
The biggest change you can make in the bathroom is around your cleaning habits. Take Care of Texas suggests that a shower uses a third of the water a bath uses, meaning it is a far more efficient method of cleaning. Not only are you using less water, but less energy is used to heat it. You can go further too, installing an eco-shower head will also help stem your water usage. Also, when cleaning your teeth or washing your face in the basin, always make sure you turn the faucet off during the cleaning. These are small hacks which go a long way to saving water and energy, www.CultursMag.com
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MUST l SEE
Photography: @lenn_m._photography HMUA: @iamashliedoxey Jumper: @ofuure Earrings: @chanelofficial Shoes: @stuartweitzman
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MUST l SEE
MAKING ROYAL DREAMS COME TRUE
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airstylist LaChanda Gatson wanted to inspire black girls around the world to see “themselves as regal princesses,” she says. “The idea was developed early on in childhood from the consistent lack of representation of black children in mostly all forms of media where children play a significant part,” Gatson explains in a statement to “People” magazine. She loved watching and reading fairytales as a kid, but would often find herself reimagining the characters with her skin color. Gatson also reimagined these characters with different cultural attributes, to make them more relatable to herself. “These princesses were reimagined from a collection of fictional princesses and global fairytales — ones I grew to love throughout my years,” Gatson continues. “I reimagined them as black urban royalty.” Gatson teamed with Culturs Magazine to develop the African American Princess Affirmation Cards, and she’s continued making new, cartoonified versions of her visions. Find more designs and products inspired by her royal collection, including face masks and wall calendars, at lachandagatson.com/shop
Good Morning America
The Kelly Clarkson Show
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MUST l LISTEN
GHANAIAN MUSICIAN PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS WITH NEW SINGLE “RED LIGHT”
Xavier Hadley
“ Mawule
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MUST l LISTEN
Red Light Cover
“R
ed Light” is a warm pop song with an electronic flare that is complimented by an honest lyrical melody. It weaves a tale of self-consciousness and self preservation. “I’m tryna save you from me cause I’m not in a good place, to give you all of me,” sings Mawule in his heartfelt lyrics. “Red Light,” is a song that reminds us all to be honest with ourselves when we need time for reflection, self restoration and healing before sharing life with someone else. It is a proclamation of self awareness and self love.
Written by Mawule and mixed and mastered by Glenn Sawyer and Rich Veltrop of The Spot Studio, it is uniquely produced backwards by Codakolor as a personal challenge, making this his most technical piece to date.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS: Mawule: meaning “Only God Knows” in the Ewe language, was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. A Third Culture Kid, he moved to the U.S. as a pre-teen. Music has always been an integral part of Mawule’s life, but success as a music artist has never been the only goal in mind for him. His lifelong fascination with human relationships Mawule’s music reflects passion for human connection. He is inspired by the truth within lived life experiences and publishes music cloaked in deep lyrics and catchy rhythms that serves as a source of both comfort and empowerment for others.
Codakalor: His exposure to electronic music started when his aunt took him to a rave when he was only five. Throughout his childhood, he’d hum electronic music tracks sparsely played on the radio and at friends’ houses. He learned how to play the piano, violin, upright bass and drums. When he turned 12, his parents bought an iMac for the family computer, bundled with GarageBand. At 14, he sold his PS2 and games on Craigslist so he could get his first DJ mixer (which he still has to this day). Since then, he’s produced, published, and played music live under the names Bluepulse, Buzzy and now Codakolor. The single “Red Light” will be released on Jan 8.Pre-Save the song by visiting https://distrokid.com/ hyperfollow/mawuleandcodakolar/ red-light-2
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MUST l KNOW
LION KING ON CLUBHOUSE
Noelle Chesnut Whitmore
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MUST l KNOW
Mir Harris
Chris “Boogie” Glover
Kam DeLa
C
lubhouse, the most promising new social app that currently still is invite only, and exclusively available to iphone users, continues to awe its quickly growing audience. An audio app with chatrooms but no messaging capabilities other than connecting through Twitter or Instagram, it boasted a production of Lion King: The Musical on Clubhouse is a free virtual live concert event that took place Dec. 26, 2020, exclusively on Clubhouse. This event was created by marketing executive and event producer Noelle Chesnut Whitmore after being in a room with Bomani X & Myles Grier where she recognized Chris “Boogie” Glover, another user on Clubhouse, had a distinct voice and would be perfect to play Mufasa. Myles then started performing Simba’s lines and the idea took flight from there. It scaled to a full cast and crew of over forty actors, narrators, imagery (PTR), musicians and a choir. The event was an audio-only event that took place virtually with people of color across four different countries. Noelle Chesnut Whitmore is the director and executive producer. Bomani X, whose picture is the current icon for the Clubhouse app, is the musical director. Award-winning actor Myles Grier voiced Simba and Mir Harris Nala. Other featured entertainers included actress and producer Gina Belafonte, Dr. Victor, Minh Do and many others. The event had over 10K listeners between two showtimes.
Bomani X
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MUST l KNOW
s
ince 2017, Black Pearl Marketplace has championed the health and well-being of a resilient community in New Orleans, La., U.S.A. The Green Journey Series has embraced its mission to disseminate conscious information of sustainable living, despite present day obstacles, by bringing together and providing a platform, for purposeful artists, and vendors market goods, services and products.
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MUST l KNOW
BLACK PEARL MARKETPLACE COOPERATIVE FOR BLACK CREATIVES
Founder and visionary, Madera E. Rogers-Henry started The Green Journey Series and is proud to announce its newest project: “Black Pearl MarketPlace.” Black Pearl MarketPlace is a business cooperative that supports Black American, African and Caribbean creatives. The cooperative currently serves ten businesses and has an open call that anyone who is interested can apply online. “It’s been an amazing journey being in New Orleans which as the northern most Caribbean and African city spotlights some amazing businesses,” Rogers-Henry says. Local vendors and international members such as Agile International (which sells sustainable fashion purses created by women in Mali, West Africa.). We cater to a wide array of businesses, Rogers adds, “It’s important that we provide a different experience for local
NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION artists to national businesses needing our support and insight to streamline their businesses during these COVID-19 days.” As Black Pearl MarketPlace continues to serve our members as a business cooperative, we feature services through products as our radio show, an online store, business tool trainings and more!. The aim of this cooperative model is to share costs and reduce the high costs of doing business. Whether, it’s promotional or advertising cost, and even sharing members who provide gig services, it allows these small to medium size businesses room to grow during this Coronavirus era.
The Green Journey Series is the educational program of Literacy Project International Aka “Whose Magazine?,” A Youth Publication highlighting culture and education. The Literacy Project International is led by local youth, parents, volunteers, and teachers. Serving over seven thousand youth, the project successfully engages underserved students through print journalism, (including research, editing, publication layout, printing and photography) as well as documentary journalism. The New Orleans pilot program began with Lower ninth-ward, Light Christian Academy and in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, ADINKRA (home school) and Mary D. Coghill School. For more information, or to support, visit blackpearlmarketplace.com
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TRANSNATIONAL THIRD CULTURE KID FILMMAKERS
Mikel Healey
By Myra Dumapias
FROM CENTRAL AMERICA TO EGYPT AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN WITH
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One of the reasons why I highlight transnational filmmakers is because I believe the growing attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), if the efforts are genuine, will eventually find itself pushing the borders of identity into more transnational and simultaneously fused and fluid concepts of identity. Identity cannot be based on linear concepts of nationality, ethnicity, race, and culture for too long. The corporate, higher education and human service sectors in the US have incorporated DEI as a value. As more people begin to understand the struggles of dual identity people of mixed race or of immigrant backgrounds experience that is hopefully included in all DEI work, it paves the way for understanding the often underestimated complexities of growing up a third culture kid (TCK).
G
enuine efforts for representation must include fluidity of identity because it was rigidity and strict adherence to exclusively distinguish one race from another that sparked inequality, discrimination and prejudice in the first place. Additionally, the growing populations of displaced persons begs more representation of in-between experiences, or as I call it, the “culturally displaced or transient.” The number of refugees has increased 70 percent since 2011, according to World Economic Forum. This does not detract from current efforts to advocate for more representation of nation-based identities, eg. for Asian or Asian-American cast members. The other aspect I want to highlight is how transnational film as a genre is where the film-making process that goes beyond borders finds space, from a global context of its production, the cast and crew, the director, distribution and intended audience, to a critique of the impact of globalization on populations or a post-colonial narrative voice of the film’s content. It was a pleasure for me to interview Elizabeth Liang, filmmaker, actress and writer, about Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey, a full-length feature film of her one-woman show about growing up as a dual citizen of mixed heritage in Central America, North Africa, the Middle East and Connecticut, U.S.A. The film shines a light on the transnational and inbetween experience of being a Third Culture Kid (TCK). Alien Citizen is based on her live show, which www.CultursMag.com
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was transnational in its reach: she toured it in the U.S.A., Panama, Iceland, Spain, South Africa and Singapore. Her autobiographical film not only describes the struggles of growing up as a TCK but also the intersectionality of her TCK identity with other experiences, including being mixed-race, acquiring language and its connection to identity and the impact of growing up as a girl in different countries on her body image. I had the privilege of watching Liang’s live performance at a Family in Global Transitions conference when I was a scholar and a speaker in 2014. It was shortly after my mom passed away and when I celebrated her life, it was inevitable that I celebrated our globally nomadic life as a family. If you’ve ever watched Liang’s show, especially the end, you’ll not only know why I found it comforting to watch while I was grieving our family’s loss, but a must-see for all TCKs. Your career has evolved over the years, including scenes in “The West Wing,” “Bob ❤ Abishola,” “Brooklyn Nine Nine” and other TV shows. Watching “Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey” as a full-length feature film, I picked up much more than the first time I watched it live. Tell us more? I did most of my TV work well before I created “Alien Citizen,” so it’s been nice to get back into the world of sound stages and sets this year. The film was released in 2017. We used the same script that the live touring production had, but since no one (myself included) can bear to watch a static video of a stage play, we shot it at multiple angles, with and without an audience and chose the best takes while adding special effects and more sound design. My director and editor agreed that this was necessary to make the film “pop” and be more dynamic than an archival video could be, and they were right. The reason people are able to enjoy the film is because of Daniel Lawrence’s fantastic editing and the added effects director Sofie Calderon asked for.
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What type of freedoms did the solo show format allow that a traditional film format does not allow? They’re entirely different animals. A traditional film would have included a cast of actors playing all the different roles, including at least three actresses playing me at different ages, We would have shot on location in different countries. There would have been no personal narration — it would have had dialogue only — or maybe just minimal voiceover. I would have had to find an experienced film producer and millionaire funders and it would have taken years to put it all together. Making a concert film was much easier. It took two days to shoot instead of the usual three months for a studio feature or six weeks for an independent film. I only had to fundraise several thousand dollars instead of millions and hire a tiny crew instead of tons of people. My director only had to direct me instead of an entire ensemble. So there was freedom in not having to be accountable to a much bigger team, which was great. Do you prefer acting on stage or for TV and movies better? Love them all but stage is the actor’s medium, TV is the writer’s medium and film is the director’s medium in terms of how much control each position has. Film and TV pay better, though.
TRANSNATIONAL THIRD CULTURE KID FILMMAKERS
It’s interesting that you started your act with three questions: “Who are you?” “Where are you from?” and “What are you?”, which came back up throughout your act very strategically. I encourage people who’ve watched it already to perhaps watch again if they didn’t catch how you repeated each of these questions throughout your act, but briefly, what else about these three questions would you like your audience to know? The first question is the one that truly matters, and the one we all need to answer for ourselves with clarity and self acceptance and an allowance for evolution. The other two questions often share the same meaning and they tend to be used to include or exclude people. So as long as you know who you are — what and who you love, what you will fight for, what you will not tolerate, what fills you and what drains you, what sparks you, what you are willing to sacrifice (as well as what kind of person you want to be), you’ll be able to handle the other two questions with more equanimity and less anxiety. I loved how you punctuated your performance with the “covering your mouth” gesture. It contributed to the movement of your act, serving as a sort of announcement to what you were about to state. It’s brilliant, actually that you used that gesture, representing silence to introduce important statements that it seemed you really wanted your audience to pay attention to. Can you tell us how you came to include that in your act? Does it symbolize anything else? It symbolizes how I silenced myself in order to not make waves and to be accepted. It’s what many TCKs do: we learn to adapt and be polite and protect our relationships with our guardians by silencing ourselves, which can be very unhealthy if we never speak up. If we don’t express ourselves, the unspoken truth will fester and become destructive within us as we continue to suppress it. That’s why the climax of
the film depicts me publicly screaming something deeply true that I had always felt but had never expressed until that point. On that note, what would you like to say to TCKs out there who maybe don’t feel like they were affected too negatively about a transient childhood? Was there a time where you were so convinced that if you felt something wrong, you truly believed you were just making too big a deal about it? Yes, throughout my childhood and into adulthood I frequently felt that I shouldn’t allow painful experience to affect me so much or even at all. It took years—and I’m still working on this—to trust my own instinctive reactions and feelings. That is probably more common than we know or discuss. There was one incident you described when you did speak out in your youth in Morocco right outside the American Cultural Center and described the traumatic consequences of that. Can you tell us more about that scene in your act? All the stories are true, and that was one of the most frightening experiences of my life. I had never verbally reacted to sexual harassment from boys and men — I had just ducked my head and soldiered on. This time, when I was 13 in Casablanca, I blurted out a vulgar curse in response to two young men who were harassing me. It felt like the thousandth time I had been harassed — everywhere I went in the world, men and boys harassed and insulted me— and I couldn’t take it anymore. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I regretted them, even though I had every right to stand up for myself. In this world, the onus is always put on the woman or girl to react or not react when men and boys harass us. If we stand up for ourselves, things often go from bad to worse. And of course we’re blamed if we don’t stand www.CultursMag.com
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up for ourselves. We’re damned either way, whereas the harassers’ actually unacceptable behavior is fully accepted all over the world. I have wary hope for the #metoo and #timesup movements…I hope they grow stronger. There’s more to the scene in Alien Citizen but I won’t spoil it for people who haven’t viewed it yet. In my opinion, the scene says a lot about misogyny, sexism, and the dehumanizing of people. One of the most powerful scenes in your act was the labeling scene and the impact of chauvinistic words on you and how it affected your body image… The symbolism in this scene was intense on so many levels, by the way!... Can you tell us about your journey on that? We don’t often hear how being a TCK can affect a girl or woman’s sense of body image, but you confronted that in your act. I was having trouble performing the scene well because it was such an unpleasant memory of a repeated event — I would just become very dull and monotone in rehearsals when we worked on it. So Sofie [my director] had this idea of using a visual effect to show the impact of those insults on me and my body image. As for my journey with that life experience, I’m like countless women and girls who have felt permanently branded and scarred by words and behavior that came at us out of nowhere. We were just walking to school or running a quick errand for our parents or going to a friend’s home, and we constantly had to face bullies whose number one objective was to dehumanize us for our gender. It affected my posture, how I dressed, how I perceived my body. I wanted to be slimmer and more visibly fit
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but I also didn’t want any extra attention that that might bring — I knew I would be more popular with boys but I was afraid I would also be a target for predators and misogynists. So: lots of unhealthy yo-yo dieting and binging. I’m in awe of girls and women who had similar experiences but managed to have a healthy relationship with their bodies anyway, or at least a healthier one than I had with my own. Women and girls are resilient but we shouldn’t have to be so often. Another powerful scene was the parallel you drew between your experience being labeled and the experience of another character you played. Is there anything you would like to say about that scene? There’s a scene in which I describe what it’s like to be harassed in Egypt and then I wonder if my family’s cook, Amina, experienced the same even though she wore the hijab and galabeya. I didn’t know and to this day I still don’t…although I suspect she, too, was harassed regardless of outfit. You mention “anger” in one of the scenes and attributed it to not having the words and not being able to talk about it. It’s a common experience among TCKs, that if we are not able to process grief, that some of us have anger that’s pent up. If you could go back in time, what would your current self say to your younger self? Write and act and sing and dance and draw as much as possible about your anger and grief! Also: I love you, I see you, I am listening, and your feelings are 100 percent valid. You can trust your own perspective and express it in art with all of your truth. It’s your right.
TRANSNATIONAL THIRD CULTURE KID FILMMAKERS
Hamed, one of the characters you play, represents what I believe is a population not spoken about enough — those who did not necessarily move around themselves, but in essence grew up cross-culturally themselves and in many ways, very much like TCKs. Their surroundings were constantly changing. They weren’t the ones leaving but as the ones being left behind, they had to say goodbye frequently as each person they got close to would leave. If he was a friend in real life, did you ever get to talk to him later on about the TCK identity? Hamed is based on a real friend with a different name. We’re rarely in touch now and we never discussed TCK identity, but I did send him the Alien Citizen DVD. I don’t know how he felt about it, though. I told him that Hamed is many people’s favorite character in the show and film, which is true! I too liked his character. It gave depth to the precious value of friendship in our journey of growing up moving so much. I want to express my gratitude that you created this voice representing so many of our stories to be heard. Are there are any last things you want to share? I want to thank you again, Myra, for being a great supporter of my work and a champion of TCKs. I also want to thank everyone who saw and touted the stage production of “Alien Citizen,” and to everyone who has seen and supported the film. Finally, I want to urge everyone reading this to express themselves creatively whenever they can! Expressing one’s intercultural experiences is an effective way to develop a stronger sense of identity per TCK scholars Ruth Van Reken and Liliana Meneses. That’s certainly been true for me and many other Adult TCKs and CCKs. I hope everyone will do it. To receive updates about Liang’s up-and-coming performances or other updates, subscribe to her monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/gwuhsz www.CultursMag.com
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THE GIFT OF HAPPINESS WHERE IS YOUR HAPPINESS REALLY? By Shanthi Yogini
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O
ften, we tend to think that factors such as the oppression that our ancestors suffered, lack of clarity of our origin, our childhood trauma, our current living environment and a myriad of such situations as determining factors of our happiness.
have a new “present” every moment. Living your present in such a way that it can create a future that you want is called “Life Mastery.” Taking charge of your life means taking charge of your happiness, because everything we do in life is to feel happy. We learned the art of being happy using the R.E.S.T. Method. R.E.S.T. is an acronym that stands for: ecognize ducate eek rain
R E S T
Let us now dive a little deeper into “R.”
RECOGNIZE THE NATURE OF YOUR HAPPINESS: Happiness is not a new goal for you to achieve. You don’t have to achieve happiness. It is not a new thing that you have to become. You don’t have to become happy. We may be using these terms commonly, but it is not so in the actual sense. Happiness is your true essence and your natural state. It is at the very core of your being. “Really? If happiness is at my very core, why don’t I experience it all the time,” you may ask. There are two reasons for this:
REASON #1 WHY YOU DON’T EXPERIENCE HAPPINESS ALL THE TIME:
BUT ARE THEY REALLY? This article is a continuation of two previous articles published in the Winter 2019 and Summer 2020 issues. Let us do a brief recap of them first. Life Mastery is the ability to master or take charge of one’s life. It may appear that mostly our life is not in our control. But “Living” happens in the present. You
Happiness is your real nature. But it has been kept hidden because of the dust and dents in your mind such as: any past hurts, anxiety, stress, worry, fear, restlessness, greed, lust, confusion and so many similar thoughts. These negative thoughts make you feel unhappy. This is just like a dirty mirror that covers your real beauty. All you need first is the realization that if you clear and calm your mind and get rid of any negative thoughts, you can have your inner happiness again, the way you had experienced it years back. www.CultursMag.com
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What you need next is to know the actual clearing and calming process. Once the mind is made to calm down using the right techniques, you can experience the happiness within you that was kept covered and hidden. You are simply uncovering the happiness that has been always within you; not what falsely appears to be coming from outside. So where is your happiness really? Is it coming from outside or was it there all along with you? You see, you don’t have to do anything new to experience true happiness. The moment you calm the mind, you are able to uncover your inner happiness and your search for happiness ends. The important point to realize here is this: You don’t have to wait for the entire mind to be cleared to see results. Clearing even a small portion of negative emotions from your mind immediately reduces some unhappiness you experience. So, you don’t have to despair if you are unable to clear your mind right away. Every little effort towards the goal gives you results and hope to continue the process. Your happiness increases proportionally to the clearing of your mind of negative emotions. The #1 secret of happiness is to realize that it is at the very core of your being and that it is your natural state.
REASON #2 WHY YOU DON’T EXPERIENCE HAPPINESS ALL THE TIME: You don’t experience happiness all the time, because you are searching for happiness in the wrong place. “What? Am I not doing the right things that will give me happiness?” you may ask. Right now, most people are searching for happiness outside themselves. You may be thinking that the reason why you are not happy is because others are not behaving the way you want and events outside are not happening the way you want. You may be thinking that if only the other person behaved differently, or events happened differently, then everything would be fine with your life. In life, we have no control over what is happening 52
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externally. We cannot ever change how people behave with us or how they treat us. We are bound to encounter stressful or upsetting situations. That is not the real problem because happiness does not really exist there, though it appears to be so. The real problem is that feelings and emotions within you are not happening the way you want. You want to be happy and peaceful with loving relationships — it may not be happening. You don’t want to be angry, yet it may be happening. Anytime you feel a semblance of happiness or peace, it feels as though it is coming from the outside through events, things, situations or people. So you keep looking on the outside for happiness. You hold the outside to be responsible for both your happiness and unhappiness.
DOES THE OUTSIDE REALLY GIVE YOU HAPPINESS? If happiness does come from outside, then engaging in activities with the desire for happiness should yield results, right? But the reality is just the opposite. Despite doing every activity to feel happy, it still seems to be elusive. Even if you feel happy as a result of an activity, it is not permanent. It seems to last for some time and then it is gone. This is the proof that happiness does not and cannot come from the outside.
SO, GOING FORWARD, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO LOOK FOR YOUR HAPPINESS? This topic is analyzed in detail in #1 international bestseller “The Secret of Happiness.” Visit Cultursmag.com/ The-Secret to be the first to know when copies are available.
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