SUMMER 2020 - TIME FOR CHANGE Subscriber edition

CELEBRATING CROSS-CULTURAL IDENTITY

@CULTURSMAG

WWW.CULTURSMAG.COM

DEFINING

BLACKNESS

AROUND THE GLOBE

TIME FOR

CHANGE PANDEMIC:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

PRACTICAL WAYS

THRIVING

WHITE FRAGILITY

A DIFFERENCE

SURVIVING AND

ROBIN DIANGELO ON

YOU CAN MAKE

FEEL CONFIDE

CROSS-CULTURAL OR INT GET LIFESTYLE CONTENT

ENT IN YOUR

TERSECTIONAL IDENTITY THAT CELEBRATES YOU WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO FIT SOME ELSE’S MOLD.

Because our editors have lived it too. That’s why our award-winning magazine has attracted a community of more than one million cross-cultural and intersectional people like you.

Here’s how you can too: Visit Cultursmag.com today and grab a copy of our Top 10 reasons cross-cultural identity is the voice of the future.

So you can stop trying to fit someone else’s mold, and instead, be confident in your identity.

CONTENTS

SUMMER 2020

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FEATURES ON OUR COVER

66 What Blackness Looks Like

Around the globe, definitions of Blackness may differ, and some don’t even consider it a thing.

These individuals want to share their thoughts.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

24 Pandemic: Surviving and Thriving

From Shanghai to Toronto; Tokyo to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, we share cross-cultural perspectives on the COVID-19 experience. Practical Ways You Can Make a Difference:

56 Of Tradition, Food and Culture

A Swedish international adoptee explains how food cements culture in her family

62 White Fragility:

Exclusive Interview with Robin DiAngelo It’s the term that runs chills down many a spine around the globe today. DiAngelo explains why she’s making her mark worldwide, and why her New York Times Bestseller contains lessons from which we all can learn.

88 Truth, Justice and the American Way

A TCK lawyer, a forensic scientist and a filmmaker produce a documentary on the U.S. justice system through a case study of one man’s fight for freedom.

112 History Pre-written Transgenerational transfer of trauma, system racism and unresolved grief. Dr. Paulette Bethel discusses how trauma can plague families throughout the generations.

PRACTICAL WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

120 10 things in 10 days

A primer on being a good ally to people of color.

122 Anti-racism Resources We start it here and finish online, but with this overflowing list, there are at least one or two things that will help you commit.

THE MUST LIST 88 Must See:

Truth, Justice and the American Way

90 Must Do:

The Sundance Experience

94 Must Know: African American

Princesses 103 Must Read: Period Love

IN EVERY ISSUE 6

Contributors

104 Must Read: Who Am I?

10

Culturally Fluid Definitions

105 Must Have: Hawaiian Prayer

12

Publisher’s Letter

14

Executive Strategist

19

Cultural Connections

106 Technology 116 Yoga Science for Yoga Mastery

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CONTRIBUTORS YAZZ ATTIMORE is founder of Crowned Curls, a Women of Color (WOC) collective where creatives, entrepreneurs and every WOC in between can come together to cultivate and nourish community through intentional gatherings, events, online publications and the overall support of one another. We aim to create a worldwide community among women that engages in love, creativity, healing and celebration of sisterhood.

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.

XIAOYA CHENG Shanghai-based Adult Third Culture Kid, Koya Cheng is very passionate about what she covers in media because she believes her personal multi-cultural experiences help her to understand the global culture and provide a more comprehensive understanding of global culture to readers. The impact of global multiculturalism is relevant to readers and also associated with Cheng’s personal life as a TCK. She aims to put more eyes on TCKs’ development as it may appeal to readers since the TCK population is increasing rapidly and has a significant impact on society. She holds a B.A. in journalism from Colorado State University and an M.F.A. in Film from Kings College, London.

TODD CORNELL is a U.S.-born Chinese cultural scholar, linguist and business consultant who spent his formative years in China. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies and is the principal of Cultur668, a consulting service for U.S. companies doing business in China.

MICHELE DAVENPORT is an executive strategist who designs and facilitates programs in coaching, communication and leadership effectiveness for individuals and organizations committed to optimizing potential and growth. As principal and founder of Mosaic Coaching Solutions, Davenport inspires clients to engage more deeply and intentionally in every aspect of their lives. Her method includes a three-phased process designed to heighten self-awareness, develop strategies, implement accountability and achieve sustainable change.

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 traumainformed 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.

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CONTRIBUTORS Born and raised in Canada, VALERIA FUGATE is the daughter of Chilean political refugees who fled the 1973 coup. Fugate comes from a long line of Spanish and Italian immigrants. Social and political issues played a substantial role in her life and upbringing. She speaks Spanish and French, and has traveled and worked internationally, which she loves. Currently, Fugate is a student in the College of Multimedia, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Her focus is broadcast journalism and international media with a minor in political science. This rising journalist hopes her work will help bring attention to such issues as immigration, women’s rights, social justice, and the cultural and political conflicts that affect North Americans as well as the world.

CLAUDIA KOERBLER is an international development specialist. She hosts a YouTube Channel and Facebook Page called “Global Storytelling for Global Development.” Its goal is to use storytelling as a tool to create and foster social impact globally. The TEDx speaker and Forbes expert contributor talks about measures to eradicate extreme poverty and how to drive social impact forward. She is an Austrian-born global citizen who speaks five languages including German, English and Spanish.

PAULETTE MARTINEZ BETHEL, PhD, CMC is an Adult Cross Cultural Kid (CCK) who began her love affair with multiculturalism and travel at an early age during the era of integration while growing up in the melting pot city of New Orleans. Read more about Dr. Bethel in her bio on page 84.

SUMMER NETTLES Emmy-award-winning videographer, certified conflict resolution facilitator and adjunct professor of communications Summer Nettles decided to leave television news after defeating Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2014. Since then, Nettles has worked with local and state government agencies on everything from documentary films highlighting the disparities present in Denver’s communities of color to developing strategic communications plans for social media outreach. Today, Nettles is CEO of her own company, Greater Purpose Media, LLC., and she is the first person ever invited to serve as an Artist in Residence for AMP’d Media’s Women of Color podcast incubator program. Look for her new podcast, “Say That Sis” a podcast focusing politics from the woman of color’s perspective, in July 2020.

ANTOINETTE TOSCANO is a Cross-Culture Kid and Third Culture Adult with family roots in India and Jamaica. Toscano is a U.S. Army veteran and former IT corporate executive who now works as a full-time ghostwriter, journalist, author, motivational speaker and blogger. She also enjoys volunteering with fellow veterans, hiking, biking, bow hunting and whitewater kayaking.

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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PRAISE FOR THE

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Summer 2020

www.CultursMag.com Volume II, Issue IX

"You are amazing, and what you're doing to support the appreciation and strength of honoring the layers of identities gives the world one heartbeat. Gratitude, love, and support."

— R. Bernstein, Aurora, U.S.A. "I just subscribed to your magazine.

When I looked at your Advisory board, I got tears in my eyes. As a mixed person, I saw a home. Thank you."

— R. Villarreal, Alaska, U.S.A.

GURU PUBLISHER & FOUNDER Doni (Dah-knee)

EDITORIAL WEB EDITOR Michelle Ancell SENIOR EDITOR Tammy Matthews MUSIC EDITOR Tommy McMillion CONTRIBUTORS Donnyale Ambrosine Yazz Attimore Paulette Bethel

Xiaoya Cheng Valeria Fugate Rebekah E. Henderson Sandra Kasuno Claudia Koerbler Sonja MotleyTurman Donna Musil Summer Nettles Koya Nyangi Omoruyi Osagiede

Lori Pace Anna Svedberg Paloma Thompson Antoinette Toscano COLUMNISTS Andrea Bazoin Paulette Bethel Todd Cornell Michele Davenport Myra Dumapais Shanthi Yogini

CREATIVE ART DIRECTION PHOTOGRAPHERS Donnyale Ambrosine Gerald Ambrosine Matthew James GRAPHIC DESIGN Berafato Diana Vega Amanda Brooks ILLUSTRATION Jemal Countess Carlton Gary Rebekah Henderson Diana Vega Jonathan Hickerson Emily P. Lawsin

Justin Rice-Moore CreativeSoul Photography George Pimentel Richard Silver Billy Woods WEB DESIGN McMillion Multimedia

SUPPORTERS ADVISORY BOARD Brooke Martellaro Gregory Moore Donna Musil Antionette Williams Chumba Limo

Congratulations to the winners of our first social giveaway!

Ten lucky winners are being shipped $150 gift packages including: • Warner Bros. Home Entertainment productions: "Blinded by the Light," "Just Mercy,"or Watchmen" •

Eight archive issues of Culturs luxury print publications

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Culturs Swag

Hover your smartphone here or visit our Insta @Cultursmag to find out who won! And don't miss our next $150 giveaway

SPECIAL THANKS: Colorado State University Journalism and Media Communication

Sundance Film Festival

Connect with Culturs on social: @CultursMag @CultursGuruTCK

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.

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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.

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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.

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 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.

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

Non-Military Foreign Service

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.

Children traveling with their parents to various countries in non-military government roles, diplomatic corps, civil service, foreign service, etc.

Multiethnic; Multicultural

Diplomat Kids Children whose parents are members of the home country’s political framework while living on foreign soil.

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.At nost prorume num ne mentilin dic facremn imanunu ntilibus,

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

“T

hese are unprecedented times…”

We’ve heard the words drip from the lips of so many as COVID-19 ravaged through countries around the world.

Amidst the turmoil, came Black Lives Matter (#BLM), a movement that resurged in the United States with a force so great, it awakened voices against oppression worldwide.

As we’ve seen in the months leading to 2020, the #MeToo movement that started in 2006

by Tarana Burke had already taken hold. Then Hollywood’s #TimesUp piggyback and charges against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, veteran actor and comedian Bill Cosby and former financier Jeffrey Epstein among others for whom decades of bad behavior screamed for justice.

“The high road for a woman for centuries was silence,” actor Zoe Saldana said to Cosmopolitan Magazine. “The new high road is speaking up.”

LIVING HISTORY We are witnessing history as this time proves perfectly poised to dismantle systems of oppression, greed and classism – They’re being ripped apart all around the world.

12

As of this writing, #BLM has ignited weeks of ongoing protest around the globe.

British actor John Boyega, best known for the latest “Star Wars” movies, openly commented that he knew the professional risk and potential fallout for his empowered speech at a Black Lives Matter protest in London’s Hyde Park (Thankfully, many “Star Wars” associates showed their support via social media). In Berlin Germany, crowds gathered outside the U.S. embassy to protest police brutality, disavow racism and support Black Lives Matter. People of color in Canada and Australia are speaking up for indigenous rights “our black people,” Says Afro-Australian Model Duckie Thot on her IGTV. Even K-pop fans got in the mix by taking over the white lives matter hashtag on Twitter.

Thousands marched across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, along with protests all through the United States down to small towns with even smaller black populations as allies to the movement came out in force.

THE GREAT EQUALIZER As protests sparked by #BLM seemingly have left no one untouched, so has COVID-19. It’s been called the great equalizer – attacking humans no matter race, creed or finances. No matter the debate of “it’s real, it’s not real – follow this guidance, no – follow that;” it macht nichts when the reaper comes to your doorstep.

Summer 2020 | www.CultursMag.com

We are witnessing history as this time proves perfectly poised to dismantle systems of oppression, greed and classism – They’re being ripped apart all around the world.

TRIBUTE TO DAD I lost my father to COVID-19.

A proud Costa Rican immigrant, he came to the U.S. in his late teens to be with his family who already was here. Looked upon as different, “You ‘Ricans,” my cousin says people in Brooklyn would say; they had their own community and upheld traditional values. With a reserved attitude, stately accent in English and beautifully melodic Spanish, my father wooed the ladies with his voice and charm.

He had a writing style that was positively calligraphic — receiving a letter from him was like being gifted a work of art.

My parents divorced when I was young and my father and I reconnected during my college

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

arguably in the worst place — traveling back and forth to the hospital for chemotherapy each week. Eventually, he succumbed — having acquired the virus on a Thursday, he left us by the wee hours of Easter Sunday.

years. We had a lot of ups, and some downs, but in the last few years I enjoyed his knowledge and wisdom.

He put himself through college driving taxi in NYC and immediately entered management training for a prominent insurance company, graduating top of the class. That should have been a golden ticket — allowing him pick of the most prime assignments and a high salary. His White colleagues noticed though that they got to choose before him. Even so, family looked to him as the one who “made it.”

INSPIRATION Daddy inspires me even more today as I hear the tales of his strength and persistence as disease devastated his body for years. I think to myself all he had to endure: a dark-skinned, Spanish speaking immigrant to the U.S. in the 60s during the height of the civil rights movement. I wonder to myself if he didn’t want to live through that again, and to be sequestered in a high rise with a lifethreatening disease to boot. My brother and I, we are his legacy.

THE LAST HURRAH

All the best,

Doni (Dah-knee) Publisher and Founder ulturs — the Global C Multicultural Magazine Culturs.org Cultursmag.com

Gerald Ambrosine

He had prostate cancer and kept it to himself. He’d fought it off once, years before, but this time I think he knew it wouldn’t last.

After his passing, his bride of 45+ years told me the stories of his chemo treatments, because even though I spoke with him almost daily until his death, we lived thousands of miles apart. He was in New York City, arguably the epicenter of the U.S. novel coronavirus outbreak, and

He is the inspiration for this issue on Blackness, and COVID-19 and globalism. He and my Trinidadian mum gave me my Afro-Latin, Caribbean heritage, a global upbringing and tenacity to live through the ups and the downs — highs, lows and everything in between. For this, I am forever grateful. I will not let you down.

My father in the 1970s

My father and I at my wedding celebration.

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EXECUTIVE STRATEGIST

Illustration by Diana Vega

by Michele Davenport

THE DAWN OF A

NEW DECADE On straddling, code-switching, and a place to call HOME.

W

hile the turn of the year was a few

months ago, it still feels like the end

of the decade offered us all an opportunity to end some other things as well and the onset of the global pandemic and the murder of George Floyd make this review even more strident.

Towards the end of 2019 there was a seismic shift in 14

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how we are all relating to one another and sometimes it wasn’t all good. It’s my hope we will soon see a shift back to more civility, peace, harmonious living and co-creation, basically that we are nicer, kinder, gentler to one another and to ourselves. As a baby-boomer fully ensconced in middle age, I lived through nearly half of the 20th century and entered the 21st with optimism and hope. In fact, when we hit 2000 there was so much wonder about Y2K — what would all the “systems” and computers do given they were programmed through 1999? It came and went, nearly

EXECUTIVE STRATEGIST

Being authentic and pointing towards the best version of ourselves no longer requires qualification, apology or holding our breath.

without a glitch. The dawn of the first decade of this century (2001-2010) met us with a technological boom that was wild — who would think you could do nearly everything on the computer? Alas, 2011 — 2020 turned into everything being possible on your handheld device so interactions and live touches seemed to shrink even more. Somewhere in the midst of this, CULTURS grew into not only a marketplace for goods and a lifestyle vehicle, but a movement, a community of people for whom it was a pivot towards more reflection, affirmation and sometimes validation.

For those of us who straddle or code-switch, CULTURS has become a destination for feeling at home, feeling seen and being heard. Fitting in is no longer the desired outcome, but being authentic and pointing towards the best version of ourselves no longer requires qualification or an apology. CULTURS has opened the door for more discussion, expression, collaboration and inspiration than likely any other single source. Read more if you’re interested in moving through this new decade with all the best parts of yourself and with intention on how to make it happen.

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EXECUTIVE STRATEGIST

CREATING YOUR FRAMEWORK FOR SUCCESS BEYOND COVID-19 AND BEYOND Why live with the uncertainties similar to the turn of the century when we can instead benefit from all we know of today’s technological advance? Especially during extensive shelter-inplace when nearly everything was converted to virtual, we can now convert all of this to creating a framework that will serve us for years to come.

Here are Five Steps to help you Discover and Uncover the best parts of yourself as you turn towards a decade filled with greater connection, more compassion and getting more of what you want with your post-coronavirus life and career.

2

Your Lessons from the Past

We are smarter, better prepared and better equipped for success in the future. Covid-19 gave most of us time to pause and look inward. If we take heed to grow and expand from our lessons learned, what’s possible? Ask yourself — what worked well last year and proved to be successful? What didn’t work well that I can improve? Take stock of your success and failures, write them on a whiteboard or on your phone and challenge yourself in any category where you’d like to experience a shift.

4

Creating the Framework for Your Plan

Framework is another way of saying, what’s your process? One of the most important elements of any framework is to look at your plan holistically. It’s somewhat similar to reading an entire recipe before you begin putting it together.

Ask yourself do all of the pieces fit in a way that is conducive to progress and success I envision for myself? If not, go back to step three and revisit.

1

Your Health – Know Your Numbers

What will you do to be even more healthy this year? Imagine it’s December 1, 2020 and you look back on this unprecedented year of the global pandemic. What do you want to have experienced or done to have positively impacted your health?

What numbers do you intend to have be different?

One of the most important things you can do for yourself is know your numbers so you can be deliberate about your health and well-being. We want you to experience radical self care, so find out what your health numbers are — blood pressure, hemoglobin A1C, cholesterol, then decide where to focus your attention.

3

Your Vision for the Future

5

Take Action

While sheltering-in-place I offered a virtual retreat and invited everyone to think about their post-coronavirus vision.

I recently hosted a retreat where one of the modules was creating a vision board. What would you have on your vision board? A destination to an island, home renovations, looking up old friends or relaxing more? Whatever your vision, make it visible, create your own vision board — or just imagine what’s there and move towards it.

Now that you have the vision and framework for your plan, create the action to ensure all of the pieces fit together to make it your whole. Chip away at your plan so that you see success as you approach the end of the first year of this new decade. Then expand it to envision what you want from this decade — and remember to be compassionate, generous and kind — starting with yourself!

Hover your smartphone here or visit www.mosaic-cs.com/2020visionvr and experience your own private virtual retreat 16

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CELEBRATING CROSS-CULTURAL IDENTITY

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TIME FOR

CHANGE

CELEBRATING CROSS-CULTURAL IDENTITY WWW.CULTURSMAG.COM

JIMMY SMITS, CAITLIN MCGEE,

AND THE GLOBAL MULTICULTURAL CAST OF NBC’S “BLUFF CITY LAW”

DEFINING

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BLACKNESS

IS U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICY

FLOUTING THE LAW?

AROUND THE GLOBE PANDEMIC:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

PRACTICAL WAYS

THRIVING

WHITE FRAGILITY

A DIFFERENCE

SURVIVING AND

ROBIN D'ANGELO ON

YOU CAN MAKE

Display until November 30

DESTINATION:

HEALING YOGA IN

I AM NOT YOUR

The French Riveria’s Finest

WHY IT’S FOR YOU

A Native American Veteran fights to be seen

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CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

Illustrattion by Diana Vega

by Todd Cornell

BALANCE BETWEEN

DARK AND LIGHT, WAR AND PEACE In a time where disorder and imbalance seem more common in the world, perhaps we can look to the Yi Jing 易经, a millennia-old Oracle of wisdom for understanding life and relationships.

I

n the Yi Jing (I Ching), Confucius writes, “一阴一阳之 谓道”, meaning —“The Two, or Yin *Yang, are called The Dao”. The Two are not separate and should be thought of as one unit — Yin Yang.

In our minds, we easily envision the rotating earth and transformation of day and night. Thus, it’s easy to imagine the concept of Yin Yang through this cycle of change.

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Summer 2020

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CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

PERFECT HEAVEN-EARTH BALANCE

The Chinese mind understands cycles of change in nature as Yin Yang; even if they do not outwardly discuss the process, it is an innate concept of their worldview, culture, and language.

Yin Yang is inherent to the universe and cycles at play. We only need make a small shift in perspective to observe the power of Yin Yang. It may take effort for the western mind to understand Yin Yang, but with some practice it’s within easy reach.

The Western mindset has a tendency to perceive division and separation, which may cause one to falsely view the world around us through divisions and separations rather than relations and connections.

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In the Chinese mind, the balance of Heaven and Earth is the ultimate balance of Yin Yang in all creation. Earth is Yin and Heaven is Yang. Not unlike day and night, as one reaches a pinnacle, it switches or transforms to the other. “物极必反” ”When the energy reaches a pinnacle it must switch.”

When energy is continually produced, say Yin, the progression moves deeper into Yin. At this point, Yang energy must be introduced to bring balance. Consider transitioning from anger, —Yin energy, into joy —Yang energy. The transition requires sensitivity to the prevailing energy plus the wisdom to initiate change or maintain until it “burns out” — transitioning to Yang.

THE YI JING易经 JING THE CHINESE ORACLE OF WISDOM – THE YI JING (I CHING) The Yi Jing was created over five thousand years ago, before the Chinese had a writing system.

It began from a single-line symbolism representing The Dao. The Chinese expression 画开天, “The Single Line begets the universe,” refers to The Single Line or Taiji (太极) — The Dao. In

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the Dao De Jing, Lao Zi explains that Dao begets to The One — Taiji, and The One begets The Two: Yin Yang. Therefore, The Single Line contains all things, all of creation.

Taiji The Yi Jing is an ancient oracle based on the Taiji. It comprises two symbols that represent Yin as two short lines --, and Yang as one unbroken line –. These two lines, when combined as one, become The Single Line, –, Taiji or The Dao, God, the Universe, or any concept that expresses the allencompassing, ultimate, or the concept of “outside of which nothing exists.”

Yin Yao

Yang Yao

It’s important to note that there is no division within Yin Yang, rather a transition of giving way to or begetting, as The Two remain One in flux. Therefore, we say “Yin Yang,” not “Yin and Yang.” The Western mindset tends to perceive division and separation, which may cause one to falsely view the world around us through divisions and

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

separations rather than relations and connections. The Chinese mindset is based on connections based in Yin Yang —interactions established on a concept of balance of contrary elements explained in the Yi Jing.

The Yi Jing offers a unique insight into progressions and transitions in our lives, relationships, and careers, from Yin — the dark, cool, contracting side; and Yang — the light, warm, expanding side. These concepts also apply to communications, relationship building, and negotiation practices.

WAR AND PEACE AND THE YI JING During a conversation with Zi Gong, one of his most devoted disciples, Confucius brought up skills required by good leaders.

The core at this wisdom is the Yang quality of honesty.

Zi Gong inquired, “What is required to properly govern a country?”

Confucius replied, “One must have plenty of foodstuffs, military arms, and the people must trust the government.”

Zi Gong asked, “If one of these should be done away with, which of the three would be the first choice?”

Confucius responded: “Military arms.”

Zi Gong asked again, “What if another was to be removed?”

Confucius said, “Foodstuffs.”

Then he continued, “In the end, if all die, the people will not trust or support the government.

Consequently, if a person is neither honest nor trustworthy they will not be accomplished.

From the perspective of Yin Yang, we may view war as a product of Yin personality, inward contracting, cold, selfcentric, and closed — the emotion of war is divisive. Peace, on the other hand, is achieved via Yang personality, expanding, warm, outward reaching, and open — the emotion of peace is inclusive. In light of potential war, the Yi Jing guides us to recognize the importance of balancing Yin energy in order to not allow it to reach a point of a dog chasing its own tail, where the vicious cycle of blind hatred and raw greed sends us over the precipice of a waterfall, into churning waters below. If that happens, the violence of the compounded Yin energy requires time to work out its fervor before balance is achieved.

War and peace in the Yi Jing can be understood through two of the 64 Guas, also known as hexagrams; the Masses Gua （师 卦） and the Affable Gua （比卦.

The expression “比乐师忧” — “The Affable Gua brings joy and the Masses Gua brings sorrow,” tells us that potential suffering is in store when we don’t consider the wisdom of the Masses Gua and joy is in store when we follow the wisdom of the Affable Gua.

Masses Gua

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CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

WATER IN THE EARTH - THE MASSES GUA

Interestingly, these two Guas are inverted one from the other achieving a Yin Yang countering effect. Both are made up of the same trigrams: Earth and Water, but they are switched. The Masses Gua, which is named “water in the earth” and the Affable Gua named “water on the earth.”

Earth represents smooth change or growth and water represents danger or wisdom.

Earth Trigram Water Trigram

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The wisdom of the Masses Gua is to maneuver a bottleneck and avoid going over the precipice. When water is in the earth it is constricted and experiences pressure. This forewarns us to potential danger; such as war, where there may be a combination of pressures and stresses that lead to potential miscalculations or poor decision making in battle. The leader is the single Yang Yao (burgundy line) positioned second from the bottom. The remaining five Yin Yaos represent soldiers, scoundrels and the many challenges a leader faces to gain the support of the masses and to make wise decisions about war. Decisions like choosing trustworthy Generals and officials to support in governing.

The Yao second from the top is a key position in this Gua; this position represents an important general. But, because it is Yin energy, it exposes new challenges or problems that could lead to choosing a scoundrel, someone

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who is not trustworthy or may have weak strategies for success in battle.

But winning a battle may not be as important as avoiding it.

Perhaps it’s best just to ‘not lose.’

Not losing doesn’t mean winning.

And if a battle is won, it should not be celebrated, as it may return more challenges from the losing side. The Yi Jing suggests gliding by with a sense that the battle was not lost as better than celebrating a battle won.

As Confucius alluded to in his conversation with Zi Gong, the actions of a leader are watched

仁着无敌 A person of good character has no enemies.

closely by the people and it is the people who decide if the leader is to be trusted or not. If the leader does not gain the trust of the people or enlists generals who do not work for the people, it will be the start of his or her downfall.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

WATER ON THE EARTH - THE AFFABLE GUA

When water is on the earth, it has a far-reaching area to move and is not constricted like in the earth. Water nourishes life that supports existence. The Affable Gua comes after the Masses Gua and maybe following a battle fought or circumvented. The Affable Gua suggests that we nurture supportive relations, much like the expression “求同存异” — “Focus on the similarities and save the differences,” which supports avoiding clashes and learning the value of softer actions such as following and helping others.

These are the relationships that will guide us going forward.

Strong and supportive relations spawn opportunity whereas weak and shallow relations stifle growth and development.

We all depend on others to achieve our goals. If we desire others to support us, we must also support them. By doing so, we create a cycle of success based on the simple concept of

“what goes around comes around.”

One major difference between the United States and China is that the Chinese are relationship-based in tasks and U.S. culture tends to be task-based in relationships. What that means is those in the U.S. put more importance on the task than the individual. This is not to our benefit when engaging with China from any angle but especially from the angles of business, government and diplomacy.

The Chinese have a long history of war and fierce battles between both friends and foe; they understand the destruction, suffering, loss of life, and loss of wealth war brings. For this reason, the Chinese avoid conflict and value friendship and harmony in relationships.

But a consequence of their long battle-laden history is one of being strategic. Opportunity is to be grasped and when the Chinese vie for opportunity they fight with softness rather than force.

Force only kicks in when there is no other choice, an expression from the classical novel Water Margin, “逼上梁山” — “Forced up

to Liang Mountain,” suggests this posture. The expressions “以其人 之道还其人之身” —“Dishing back what was given,” or “以毒攻毒” —“Fighting poison with poison” also give light into practices that can be engaged by scoundrels or anytime actions are not in line with expressions of goodwill and friendship.

When someone feels disrespected from their cultural perspective, it can create myriad responses. Many times, the initial act of disrespect may be unintended sprouting from ignorance or arrogance, but the response is purposed. Therefore, the Affable Gua instructs us to be sensitive outside our own borders and walk lightly to avoid conflict, to maintain social harmony and strategically-balanced relationships.

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CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES DURING PANDEMIC 24

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any within our

cross-cultural,

intersectional community rely on

a variety of strategies to keep ourselves grounded among chaos. Yet, who would have expected a global pandemic would spur the masses to remember the wisdom of keeping body and soul together during difficult times?

In our series examining COVID-19 among our geographically mobile community, we take a peek behind each continent’s curtain.

We will visit and examine perspectives from Culturs contributors, correspondents and editors from almost every continent around the globe: Asia, the Americas, Europe and beyond. We begin with Shanghai.

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SHANGHAI,

CHINA AFTER THIS, SHALL WE MEET AGAIN?

by Xiaoya Cheng

S

hanghai, the most prosperous and busiest city in China, just had been through a time of desolation. I went back to Shanghai from London in December 2019. The city was alive — as it usually was back then. I had a really relaxing time hanging out with my old friends and family in a very short time before the COVID-19 took over.

There weren’t any extraordinary signs before this enormous epidemic disaster approached. It all started from a rumor that said an unknown virus was found in Wuhan, China, that people half-believed in and even joked about. In no time, it was certified by officials. We saw the

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Shanghai, China cityscape

confirmed infection cases surge day by day. People were getting more and more panicked and too afraid to go out where self-quarantine started.

Europe and some other regions in the world were so quiet and secure when China had started all the chaos. Just like the calm before the storm.

FIRST CHINA, THEN EUROPE My sister who lives in Geneva, Switzerland, was crazily worried about our parents and me since we were out of any medical sanitary goods and hardly found any place to buy them. She bought some facial masks and sanitizer in Europe. Because the shipping policy says that no alcohol contained items can be

shipped, she only sent us four packs of medical facial masks. After a few days, we received the facial masks from my sister.

Within two weeks, Europe was submerged by COVID-19. The confirmed cases number was increasing rapidly in Switzerland. My sister is pregnant and living with two children which made my parents worry more about her family’s safety. We even considered sending back some of the facial masks we had just received from her since she couldn’t find any in stock. All she had were the three bottles of sanitizer that she wanted to send to us initially.

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Shanghai, China skyline

CLOSELY BOUND

Shanghai, China

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The first thing in the morning, I grew accustomed to in these self-quarantine days, is to check the latest status of all the countries and to read some reports and articles talking about COVID-19.

I’ve read plenty of information about the virus and people’s thoughts about the current situation. Bad things happened inevitably. People are dying for the lack of medical equipment. I saw businessmen treating the virus as an opportunity, so they increased the price of facial masks on purpose. And when it came to hatred and racism, it really poked somewhere in my heart. I understand when people get panicked, some extreme perspectives or behaviors might be triggered especially when it limits their will of chasing freedom and human rights.

However, the coronavirus also shows me something deeper, tighter and more powerful than I thought — the bound of each individual. Even though people are not physically contacted with

EMPATHY ENFORCES SAFETY

each other in this time, we’re still closely bounded. Approximately three months ago, China had been through the toughest time, my friends from all over the world were so worried about me.

They’re urgently making sure my family and I were fine.

When the coronavirus burst in other parts of the world, I couldn’t help but worry about my friends, my loved ones. I saw tons of stories about the connection of strangers during this specific time. I even donated some supplies where they were needed, such as masks.

My dad, who’s quite pessimistic, said he thought the appearance of this virus unmasked the ugly side of some people’s nature. I partially agreed. The pandemic disclosed parts of human nature that we don’t normally experience. I believe it brought out the good and bad in people.

About two months ago, I couldn’t bear staying at home and doing nothing for over a month, I decided to go out and have a look of the city. Surely with the mask on, on one hand, for protecting myself, on the other hand, to make people who walk by me feel safe.

Speaking of wearing masks, I noticed a very interesting phenomenon related to culture shock. In this particular time, most people in China are not wearing masks because they are sick. It’s because 1) they’re trying to avoid the chance of droplets in the air to make them sick; 2) since the incubation period of the Coronavirus is uncertain, people think they may be sick potentially. Wearing a mask can not only protect other people, but it also protects themselves. In Western culture, people usually wear mask because they’re simply sick. I saw an interview video on the internet. The interviewer asked a European on street why

she decided not to wear a mask.

She said, “I am not sick. Why should I wear a mask.” Here, I think we should stop judging, but try to understand the other side.

So, I was wandering on a street of Shanghai aimlessly. I haven’t felt this peace for a long time. It’s like the image of Shanghai in a sleeping memory of mine when I was young. Without the business of prosperity and bustle, it turned quiet, earthy but romantic. I heard the birds singing, the bike spinning and the sunshine sprinkled on my skin. Then I realize the only incompleteness is an old friend who can walk with me.

Shall we meet again, after this?

Business distric Shanghai, China

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CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES DURING PANDEMIC

by Antoinette Toscano

M

Colton Nelson

Colton Nelson and Sara Bianchini outside her parents’ home in Treviso, Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

any within our cross-cultural, intersectional community rely on skills to keep

ourselves grounded among chaos.

Yet, who would have expected a global pandemic would spur the masses to remember the wisdom of keeping body and soul together during difficult times?

In our series examining COVID-19 among our globally mobile community, we take a peek behind each continent’s curtain.

Our second destination, after Shanghai, is Italy.

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ITALY

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Practices of getting by with few resources during the worst of times were recently relied on during the: • 1918 — Influenza pandemic (often called the Spanish Flu) • 1918 — World War I • 1939 — World War II • 1930 — The worldwide economic depression • 2007 — The global Great Recession Most families no longer teach this sort of long-term resiliency. According to the International Monetary Fund, many people view these days as the most emotionally and economically challenging since the Great Depression. Loss or reduction in income, quarantine, isolation, social distancing required to contain the spread of coronavirus, in addition to homeschooling children and loss of routine, are pushing many to their personal edge.

GLOBALLY MOBILE MILLENNIALS DRAWING FROM THE PAST Some have continued these traditions of long-term resilience on a consistent basis and they have a wealth of knowledge to teach.

of controlled chaos and not everything goes according to plan.

Learning to embrace this allows for better peace of mind. Instead of focusing on the bad, look for the positives. Stay calm and don’t let the stress of a situation that is out of your control overwhelm you. Just do what you can and move forward.”

UNITY IS INSPIRING Husband and wife — Colton Nelson, 24, of Idaho, USA, and Sara Bianchini, 23, of Italy, are in Bianchini’s hometown of Treviso, Italy — 20 minutes north of Venice. It is also near one of COVID-19’s hardest-hit regions in the country — Lombardia — which currently has more than 70,000 people tested positive for the virus.

I spoke with the couple about their ongoing experience in a country heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESURGENCE OF FAMILY VALUES DURING A PANDEMIC Bianchini, experienced a return to her traditional Italian values of family connectedness as a result of the pandemic.

“Even if it might sound obvious, what I learned (through) this quarantine is not to take anything for granted. I think (we) Italians have always been a very outgoing and social population.

Being forced to stay at home away from friends and amusements has

Nelson grew up in rural Idaho and he spent a lot of time on his grandparent’s cattle ranch in Montana, USA. He relied on a philosophy that was instilled in him on the ranch and it was “aggressively put into practice” during his time in the U.S. military.

“I learned a concept during my time in the Marine Corps that we called ‘embracing the suck’ which is to consciously accept or appreciate something that is extremely unpleasant but unavoidable for forward progress,” Nelson said.

“Basically what this means is that you need to understand that sometimes things are out of your control. We live in a constant state

Daniele Mascolo

LESSONS FROM THE CORPS

been very challenging.

“When all these things were taken away from us, we were in shock and disbelief. Because our way of living was changed dramatically.”

“On the weekend, people are now at home with their family playing cards, cooking dinner together, watching movies and so on. [This was] something unthinkable a few weeks ago because we were too busy taking care of our social life.”

Sara continued by saying, “When lockdown began people started to get together (on) their balconies to sing and hold each other up with the motto: Everything will be okay.” “ ‘Andra’ tutto bene’ — everything will be OK).’

“A solidarity that I’ve never seen before. I learned … that staying united is fundamental to (getting) through a tragic moment.”

Italian man on a balcony with a sign reading “Andra tutto bene” — everything will be OK.

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CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES DURING PANDEMIC

by Antoinette Toscano 32

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NEW YORK CITY,

U.S.A.

Mustapha Abdul-Rahiim

Chef Mustapha Abdul-Rahiim standing outside in Brooklyn, USA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I

n New York City, USA, Global Nomad and Chef Mustapha Abdul-Rahiim, 38, offers practical food advice to get you through the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. He gives actionable steps that anyone can use to thrive during a pandemic when store shelves are nearly empty.

“As a chef, I was able to absorb the culture of international food first-hand. Tasting what freshness and Non-GMO meant … the care and attention to quality, presentation details and ingredients whilst remaining simple and pure … was unique to see. Also, I appreciated the amount of history behind the food and what it meant to the people [in each country].”

Before the pandemic, Mustapha was an executive chef at a Park Avenue Club in Manhattan, USA. He is also a culinary teacher and restaurant consultant at Herbncooking. Mustapha picked up many lessons and local knowledge during his travels in Japan, Canada, Panama and throughout Europe.

ADVICE FOR THRIVING DURING A PANDEMIC During the initial, new coronavirus “lock down,” whilst everyone seemed to buy toilet paper and pounds of perishable goods, I was planning for the future (and) trying to be as self-sustainable during these hard times as much as possible.”

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My maternal grandfather — Herman Alexander — instilled in me the benefits of keeping a pantry and a freezer stocked. He learned from his family sauces and jams with what he had freshly available. (I remember) baking fresh breads and learning how to prepare almost everything by hand. His lessons (helped) me to already know what was needed to survive anything — including a pandemic.

— Chef Mustapha Abdul-Rahiim

Matthew James Berrafato

how to craft handmade

Vegetables on cutting board in kitchen

Mustapha’s maternal grandfather always had a passion for cooking, feeding, and generally taking care of his family.

His grandfather taught about growing an edible garden, knowing when to plant and to harvest, and how to till and fertilize the land.

COMPANION PLANTING FOR PANDEMIC GARDENING Chef Mustapha also learned other useful food production practices like the use of “companion planting.” Growing basil and tomatoes in close proximity because they each provide nutrients that will benefit the other vegetable, for example.

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PREPARE FOR FOOD INSECURITY CAUSED BY PANDEMIC — DON’T PANIC Before NYC’s stay-at-home order was put in place, The first thing Mustapha did to prepare was gather soil and seeds so that he could have fresh fruit and vegetables.

Next, “I stocked up the pantry with dried goods and canned food. I made sure (there) was a variety of proteins, starches, grains, cereals, and flours. [I] bulked up the freezer and only purchased enough fresh items to just get by,” he says.

CROPS MAY FAIL — BE PREPARED

Indigenous American roots.

In his maternal grandparents’ home, leftover broccoli from dinner would make its way into a breakfast omelet — instead of the compost bin.

These shared traditions and philosophies from those living in-between cultures can be applied by everyone to calmly manage pandemic survival.

Matthew James Berrafato

Mustapha’s paternal grandmother, Fannie Bracy, was a ten-year-old living on her family’s hobby farm during the 1930s. The lessons that she learned about preventing food waste are what she taught her own children.

She used to warn that crops may fail, a job might end, or stores may not have what you need. She also passed along the tradition of a home garden. She encouraged using what you have before buying more, and sharing what you have with family and neighbors from her African and

Matthew James Berrafato

A bowl of Asian fusion cuisine.

Vegetables grown in a home garden to prevent food insecurity.

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Courtesy of Arina Merkulova.

Former Israel Defense Forces sniper — Arina Merkulova, holding a TAVOR/TAR21 rifle.

CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES DURING PANDEMIC

by Antoinette Toscano

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RUSSIA

F

ormer Israel Defense Forces combat

sniper, and Adult Third Culture Kid

— Arina Merkulova, 29, shares the

Russian wisdom and resiliency that she learned from her family’s traditions and culture to survive and thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic “stay at home” order in Calif., USA. Merkulova — now a citizen of the United States and a former member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan — a Central Asian nation and formerly part of the United Soviet Socialist Republic. Her hardy cultural heritage and experiences offer valuable lessons for thriving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BREAD IS THE STAFF OF LIFE “My grandmother would wake up before sunrise to stand hours on end in long lines for a few (loaves) of white bread and some milk. There is an old Russian saying, ‘bread is the staff of life,’ so if you have bread and salt, life will go on,” she says.

Even now, in Russian culture it is a “huge faux pas,” to throw bread away — according to Merkulova.

Before moving to the United States, Merkulova’s mother recalled that families would begin buying food for New Year’s dinner celebration in the summer of the previous year because there were constant food shortages.

“It was hard for me to fully grasp this because I was raised in America — land of the plenty. Anticipating this, my mother taught me simple life skills like growing our own food, tending to livestock, making our own bread, cheese, etc. My father taught me to fish, hunt, build shelter, survive.” www.CultursMag.com

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COVID-19 FOOD INSECURITY

(My advice is to) build out a mental plan of action just in case things go further south. Take advantage of this temporary gift of free time to do the things that we have always wanted to do but never seemed to find the time in our regular lives to do them ….

Because in the end, as my mother always used to tell me, ‘everything passes and this too will pass.

— Arina Merkulova

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Food insecurity, unrest and social disruption were familiar challenges for Arina’s grandmother. Worries about the availability of food to buy and long lines were just part of the experience in the former USSR. The Republic of Uzbekistan gained its independence from the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union to become an independent nation in 1991.

However, then and now people still think of themselves as Russian according to Arina.

The same sort of food insecurity experienced in the former USSR can be seen in much of the world today where the new coronavirus pandemic caused similar circumstances.

“My family instilled in me the concept of, ‘wake up every single morning being thankful for the place you slept in and everything that surrounds you because nothing is guaranteed tomorrow.’

If you are always prepared for the worst possible scenario you will never be caught off guard,” Arina said.

John H. Tyson—Chairman of one of the United States’ largest meat producers — Tyson Foods, made an announcement about food production at Tyson plants on Apr. 26, 2020: “There will be limited supply of our products available in grocery stores until we are able to reopen our facilities that are currently closed. In addition to meat shortages, this is a serious food waste issue. Farmers across the nation simply will not have anywhere to sell their livestock to

be processed, when they could have fed the nation.”

Supply chains unable to keep pace due to panic buying, long lines to get into grocery stores to maintain social distancing, food production factories temporarily closing to combat the spread of the virus, and citizens protesting the continued “lockdown” have some feeling stressed and anxious.

COVID-19’S IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH Many like Merkulova are using lessons from their cultural heritage to stay grounded in these difficult times.

Summer 2020 | www.CultursMag.com Merkulova and her dogs — ( L to R) Wilson and Stanley.

A SNIPER’S SAGE ADVICE Nearly one-in-five U.S. adults … say they have had a physical reaction at least some or a little of the time when thinking about the outbreak.

— Scott Keeter, Pew Research Center

Having a safe and comfortable space to sleep at night amidst the pandemic is something Merkulova does not take for granted.

Time as a sniper serving in the IDF and her Russian heritage prepared her for finding ways to thrive regardless of the situation, dangers, or surroundings.

Merkulova served in a coed, combat unit — the Caracal Battalion — 33rd Battalion.

According to the IDF, the 33rd Battalion is one of only three fully combat units.

Having known military service in a combat unit, high stress situations and international travel to Israel, Russia and Uzbekistan — as well as her Russian and Israeli heritage causes Merkulova to express gratitude for even the small things in life.

“My family instilled in me the concept of, ‘wake up every single morning being thankful for the place you slept in and everything that surrounds you because nothing is guaranteed tomorrow.’

If you are always prepared for the worst possible scenario you will never be caught off guard,” says Merkulova.

This kind of attitude helped me through my military service … and still helps me to this day. I believe that in the current global situation it is essential to keep some perspective, especially for those of us living in America.”

Merkulova advises: “Let’s take this time we have to reevaluate our lives, our priorities, our needs.”

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Justin Rice-Moore

Claudia Koerbler and Noan

CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES DURING PANDEMIC

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AUSTRIA

To my son, born in the time of coronavirus and social distancing.

A GLOBAL MOM’S LETTER

by Claudia Koerbler

My dearest Noan,

T

oday on our first Mother’s Day I write a letter to you my son. In the last couple of months, we have executed social distancing and stayed at home while the world was taking a breather and using technology to feel a sense of human connection. The most poignant evidence that you were born into a new sense

of reality was when you felt your mother’s kiss through a P-100 face mask. We wear those masks when we leave our so-called “isolation castle.” Once this pandemic rolls over you will have had just enough of a taste of life as we knew it while a new normal will create itself organically.

The last time my home country faced similar circumstances (which goes hand-in-hand with an economic fallout), was during World War II (WWII); right after which the Republic of Austria was founded.

This was exactly 75 years ago.

During Corona, we are doing something that will be remembered as #TogetherAlone and things that have been on your mom’s bucket list during her pregnancy. Such as practicing more yoga together and reading children’s books your papa sent. I am saying this with hopes that once the lock-down is over and we look-out into this world again, that we raise our level of mindfulness and awareness.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

MY WISH FOR YOU

What a great challenge lies uniquely before you in these trying times, my dear son. Your little mind has already witnessed a global pandemic and one day we will tell you stories on how humans would unleash an invisible enemy of a virus.

You are the child of parents from Austria and the United States with two different cultures, histories and mindsets. As a global citizen, your parents will encourage you to embrace everything both cultures have to offer for the rest of your life. You were inherently born into a globalized world in which traveling to both sets of your families is something you will have been accustomed to from the beginning. Right now, no continental crossing is possible. For the first time, even in my life, airports are closed, borders are locked down, and whilst we sit here in the rolling hills of Austria the world for once has come to a standstill.

There are so many more things I hope for you dear Noan. The most important thing is that you will continue to be able to roam around free in this world without any fear of an unknown enemy but rather live your childhood with a sense of normalcy. I wish for you and your generation the ability to adapt to a new understanding of globalization and cultural interaction. I wish you abundance and love at its purest form and that you will get a chance to immerse yourself into many cultures as freely as you want and learn from them as you grow up.

TO ALL THE MAMAS I write this letter to you but also to any global mother to lend support during this time, in the untenable circumstances where you now find yourselves. Many of you have already forsworn, what seemed at the time, to be unfathomable. As you www.CultursMag.com

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Never forget, the great thing about stories is that they are always under revision. Now go write your happy ending.

navigate these waters, those of you who read this will experience another emotion — that of resolve — the resolve to center yourself and draw upon your inner strength. You possess the strength to protect your baby no matter the circumstances, no matter the fear or discomfort you face as a mother. You are your child’s greatest protector, and you will prevail as you make this tenuous decision. A decision to embrace our big brain’s ability to imagine different realities and communicate how we want to tell the story of COVID-19 to our children.

They will be stories of bravery and victory that rise out of this pandemic and will always provide strength to the generation of corona kids. My dear son, you were born into a time where yesterday’s reality becomes today’s unreality.

You will grow up in a generation who will understand that the unknown is not the enemy, but rather the opportunity for new hope. It is my hope for you, that COVID-19 pandemic soon goes down in history as a triumph of indomitable human spirit and determination. I hope you carry the same superpower with you while you waltz through life with hope, resilience, and a pocket of full dreams to shape this world into what it is meant to be – your playground for life.

Never forget, the great thing about stories is that they are always under revision. Now go write your happy ending.

Yours, Mama Noan

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CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES DURING PANDEMIC

U.S.A., ISREAL, JAPAN, CANADA

Pandemic Medical Care Through The Eyes of

ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

by Valeria Fugate

A

s the world waits for COVID-19 to subside, essential workers help society muddle through while keeping civilization afloat. The experiences seen through the eyes of three essential workers, abroad and at home, give us a sense of the luxury of being safe at home.

It’s a luxury not all can afford.

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MEDICAL CARE AND COVID-19 IN THE U.S.A. Kristen Bertolini works as a certified nurse assistant (CAN) for UC Health in Colo., U.S.A. Her job is to aid nurses and bridge the gap between medical staff, patients and procedures. Currently, the staff there are provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves.

The dissolution of the Global Health Security and Biodefense unit in the U.S., responsible for the pandemic response established in 2015 and disbanded in 2018, means aspects of medical preparedness have fallen short, leading to rationing and in some cases hoarding, of certain medical equipment and supplies amid this pandemic. For Bertolini, PPE rationing means hospital staff gets one mask a day, then they are recycled. Masks are later re-tested for quality and reuse.

Hospital staff can wear their own purchased masks with filters if they can find them amid scarce resources, and if it has been approved by their human resources department. When patients are especially sick, staff are required to go into an isolation room where they “gown up� with face shields and masks to protect them from contact or airborne saliva and mucus droplets. The only time staff is required to wear an N95 mask is when conducting a procedure that causes airborne droplets (for instance, a nasal or oral culture that may cause sneezing or coughing, or for airborne illnesses such as tuberculosis and COVID-19). N95 masks then are used to prevent the health 44

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practitioner from getting infected.

According to the information given by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for contact droplets, regular masks are fine and are typical practice within North America.

When airborne droplets occur, N95 masks are used to prevent the health practitioner from getting infected.

New procedures and protocols are updated daily for hospital and frontline staff as knowledge of COVID-19 and medical resource availability change. Citing other hospitals, Bertolini’s hospital has done its best to prepare for a rush of patients, but have yet to see overwhelming numbers, though she says the ICU units remain busy.

My hope is that the fear doesn’t over-run what we need to be doing, to keep (contracting) this as minimal as possible.

Kristen Bertolini, certified nurse assistant (CAN) for UC Health in Colo., U.S.A. Despite being in the middle of a pandemic, UC Health hasn’t seen the numbers they were anticipating. Cutting staff member hours helps prevent layoffs since the hospital is not even at half-capacity. Cutbacks will be implemented on June 1 for an undetermined time, meaning staff will lose bonuses and raises due to low volume.

Bertolini hopes that hospitals will soon start re-instating elective surgeries and non-emergent patients to compensate for

money lost during the COVID-19 lockdown realizing the ethically tricky situation that it would present, hoping they can find a safe way to re-open. Child care has also presented problems for Bertolini since no one wants to babysit the children of a hospital worker. She and her husband have had to juggle who can work and when.

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TRAVEL DURING COVID-19 One of the hardest-hit industries during the pandemic has been the travel industry.

Commercial Pilot Kevin Girard’s airline saw a drastic decrease in travel, with a 50 percent drop in March alone. The airline is predicting a 90 percent cut in flights by the end of May. As a precaution, airlines have reached out to the U.S. Department of State to offer their services and to keep their companies afloat.

Flights are now providing essential services, which move state officials, medical personnel and supplies nationally and internationally to COVID-19 hot spots. As a result, flights are now full in freight and almost empty in passengers. The 787s Girard flies carry a cargo capacity slightly under two semi-trucks worth of cubic feet and are always full.

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MEDICAL TRANSPORT Bringing back ex-pats and officials from abroad has also given leeway to courier critical medical supplies to the U.S. At the beginning of this pandemic, major cargo distributors such as Fed Ex and UPS couldn’t keep up with the demand. Passenger carriers have helped alleviate some of the load. Since the beginning, Girard said that every country had been overly accommodating in wanting to help and receiving help.

Pilot Kevin Girard.

“We have stuff they need, they have stuff we need, and it seems everyone is happy to see an airplane show up, because there are hardly any of them in the air,” Girard says. “I see a very cooperative spirit, at least in the trenches.”

Policies have changed as health screening occurs before and after bordering flights now.

Pilots are required to wear gloves and masks, and several countries will not let flight staff disembark without wearing N95 masks.

Countries like Israel and Japan also require flight staff to sign papers that state they will not leave their hotel rooms once in the country — essentially selfquarantining for the duration of their stay. Some even serve flight staff with disposable dishes to keep potential crosscontamination to a minimum.

New policies require that as of April, passengers must be socially distanced six feet apart. Aircraft

are cleaned by staff after each flight, with international flights receiving electrostatic spray to all fabric to disinfect everything within the cabin. The cabin air also is cycled through multiple HEPA filters every five minutes.

“If you didn’t have a bag of food, they’d stop you and fine you USD$1500,” Girard says. “The beaches were completely empty and authorities would stop joggers.”

PRECAUTIONS IN TEL AVIV, ISREAL

Japan takes passenger disembarking further by removing international travelers off flights ten at a time. Greeters meet airplanes in full Haz-Mat suits and give travelers a full health screen including completing a four-page questionnaire. Anyone with a borderline high-temperature gets an immediate blood draw for anti-bodies. Japanese citizens are entirely compliant with what authorities dictate and no one bucks the system, according to Girard.

Girard’s last trip to pick up medical supplies in Tel Aviv required flight staff to print international worker documents.

If stopped by police during the quarantine lockdown, this proves flight staff are essential workers and marks date of arrival and departure. In Israel, flight staff can stray no more than 300 meters from the hotel, almost a football field’s distance, and only to pick up food.

PRECAUTIONS IN TOKYO, JAPAN

He says, “Tokyo is bigger than New York City. There was no one on the streets and anyone walking between buildings wore a mask.

There was 100 percent absolute compliance, I’ve never seen anything like that in any society.”

Comparing how countries have handled the pandemic amongst New Zealand, Japan, France and Israel, Girard felt Japan dealt with it the best. With a population larger than New York City and high income earning citizens translating to a lot of travel, they had only seen 82 deaths, compared to New York City’s 290 deaths in late April.

“That’s the difference between compliance with what authority tells you and noncompliance, and that is a social issue. The death rate proves how effective that is,” says Girard.

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Elaborating on what Western cultures could learn from Eastern cultures in a pandemic, Girard opines that everybody in Western cultures loves their freedoms, thinking of themselves as the ultimate authority and questioning the credibility of anything external to themselves.

“Everyone thinks they know more. Eastern culture respects authority and does what’s told,” Girard says.

THEN CAME ALBERTA, CANADA Chris Helios* works for the Alberta Health Region as a service one worker in a Canadian hospital — this means that he is part of the support staff that keeps hospitals running. Helios moves patients, beds, equipment, blood, stem cells and other essential errands for the hospital.

When the hospital received its

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first COVID-19 patient, tensions grew and policies began to change. Within four days, the staff started emptying the hospital. If patients could be sent home and return for surgery or treatments at a later date, that became the new protocol.

According to Helios, as COVID-19 patient numbers increased, some staff stopped showing up for work, out of fear.

The emergency room began sealing curtains around beds and pinning contamination signs reading “contact droplets,” “contact precautions,” or “airborne precautions.” Nurses started peering at patients through curtains trepidatiously.

As sections and doors were closed within the hospital, nurses donned full protective gear to screen patients. Support staff such as housekeepers, porters, assistants, security and food staff

were given a new set of rules that differed from what had been mandated for years prior. They became more lax.

According to Helios, as support staff began asking for masks and gloves for protection, they were denied. Later PPE was provided but rationed, given only with permission of supervising nurses. Leaders allegedly told staff PPE wasn’t required even when dealing with patients who were suspected or confirmed with COVID-19. Support staff was required to move or work around patients with no gloves or masks.

This exposed staffs to patients who were coughing, disrobing, being transported in elevators, or in enclosed proximities.

Before COVID-19, when patients were labeled contaminated, there would be an isolation cart outside the patient’s room. This cart was loaded with

gowns, face shields, gloves, and whichever mask is designated for that patient’s sickness. That was no longer available. Support staff was required to ask for permission for any PPE. Some nurses still showed some trusted staffers where the stash of PPE supplies was held, but not all, out of fear of theft or hoarding. According to Helios, Alberta Health Service (AHS) gave nurses full control of supplies, and they ultimately decided if support and hospital staff received protective gear.

“If people only knew that they were next to somebody that spent the last seven days — eight hours a day — exposed to COVID-19 patients, people would be livid.

We’re not protected,” Helios asserts.

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gets priority on PPE, yet Helios says protection shouldn’t fall across class lines. He reminds us that denying essential protection support staff may cost lives.

“Our lives are no less important than anyone else’s,” he says. “To send us into a situation in which they would not go in fully covered is saying that my life is not worth as much as their life. I deserve an equal opportunity to be safe, to come home to my kids.”

The pandemic hit just before a scheduled provincial workers strike in April. The Alberta government, under Premier Jason Kenney, planned to make it illegal for workers to strike. Kenney’s attempts to privatize and slash hospital wages follows a long legacy of cutting salaries, eliminating work differentials and creating anti-union laws to maintain these initiatives. In many cases, workers are reliant on this differential to maintain their rent and house payments.

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with health issues. The differentials to minimum wages can mean workers’ ability to survive; yet if they become sick, who will care for their children and aging parents? For them, there is no plan B. According to Helios, union protection and representatives have been passive at best. The last time reps got involved with the support staff was when they were about to strike before the pandemic hit. Helios says the union representative never appeared when AHS sent a notice to the distribution department to deny staff PPE. Culturs made multiple contacts to Alberta Union of Provincial Employee (AUPE) to garner a statement on this issue and as of publication, did not receive a reply.

A statement released by Senior Communications Advisor Melissa Ballantyne of the Alberta Health Service (AHS) states, On March 26th, AHS the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), Covenant Health (CH), the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), and United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) reached a joint agreement on the safe and effective use of personal protection equipment (PPE) in our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are aware of the concerns being expressed by our frontline care providers regarding some of the personal protective equipment that has recently been distributed.

We thank them for raising concerns. Their feedback is valuable. We are taking it seriously, and we are working to ensure they continue to have safe, reliable, and

comfortable PPE. In response to their concerns, AHS is creating a worker-led focus group to review and advise on new PPE products.

That is being purchased and address appropriate utilization.”

Helios admits social distancing can still be hard even without protective gear when patients are scared and in such need, citing one particular interaction: “Last night one patient was like, ‘You’re so kind, nobody else has been that kind. You took the time to listen.’ And I’m sitting there so close, thinking oh my God I’m so unprotected. Still, I can’t walk away because she’s scared shitless and just wants someone to listen to her for five God damn minutes. She is an old lady.”

Helios understands why doctors and nurses on the frontline get paid so much money. Still, hospitals aren’t supposed to be in the business of creating more patients. Helios simply wants a safe work environment to do the job well.

Without fear these workers may come home one day and make their family sick, all-the-while knowing their employer doesn’t think they were important enough to keep alive. *Please note, names were changed to protect our source’s identity.

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KEEPING HOPE ALIVE (DURING COVID-19) SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2020

– A GLIMPSE OF OUR POST-PANDEMIC FUTURE?

by Rebekah Henderson

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On May 6, screenwriter Scott Meyers tweeted an article from “The Hollywood Reporter,” entitled “Was Sundance the ‘First Petri Dish’ of Coronavirus in the States?.” A few days after attending Sundance Film Festival this year, I woke up one morning thinking I was having a heart attack.

Jemal Countess

Massive pain in my chest.

Sundance, Egyptian Marquee, 2015.

Hard to breathe. Went to the emergency room. Not heartrelated, something with my lungs. Maybe coronavirus?

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George Pimentel

I

Egyptian Theatre Marquee in Snow, 2006.

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n a subsequent tweet, he also mentions he had a terrible dry cough before he

attended the festival.

Meyers is not the only Sundance attendee to report a severe mysterious illness after the ten-day annual independent film festival founded by actor Robert Redford. It takes place each January in Park City, Utah, U.S.A. “The Hollywood Reporter” spoke with a dozen attendees on- and off-record about becoming ill following Sundance. Actor Ashley Jackson and “The Black List” founder Franklin Leonard reported severe illness with symptoms that matched COVID-19.

It’s not uncommon for people to be sick after Sundance. With all the partying, the winter climate, the handshaking and the business card exchanging, there are plenty of ways to catch a bug. Any illness caught is affectionately known as “The Sundance Flu.” But was the novel coronavirus an uninvited guest this year?

There is no official report that the virus was circulating in Park City Jan. 23-Feb. 2, and Utah’s first reported case of COVID-19 wasn’t announced until March 6.

Attendees on social media complained of being “the sickest I have ever been” but there currently is no hard evidence that Sundance was a super spreader event, only speculation.

money. To his point, many filmmakers are now able to finish projects they haven’t had time for and launch new projects as we all are forced to become more creative.

New York City-based filmmaker Tanya Perez is feeling the pain of losing work, but hopes that other artists are able to follow her lead in “tapping into this creative incubation to heal, rest and explore ways to innovate storytelling post-COVID.” The way we will tell stories will no doubt undergo a transformation as we continue to navigate this global pandemic. What will not change is the desire to share and create art for humankind, so for that reason, artists must keep their hopes alive.

Jonathan Hickerson

According to Dr. Angela Dunn Utah’s state epidemiologist, “It’s definitely possible that COVID-19 was circulating at Sundance.”

At this point, there is no way to be sure. More than half of the event attendees are from Utah so a non-scientific conclusion is if Sundance were a super spreader site, many more Utahans would have gotten sick. However, due to limited U.S. testing capabilities, there is no way to be sure. We can only operate on the data points available and there are not enough data to say one way or the other, which is why Dunn’s statement of possibility is really the only answer.

For many filmmakers, premiering at Sundance is a career highlight and launchpad. Those in attendance were riding high on waves only to crash to shore when they arrived home to find other film festivals canceled or moved to digital events. Distribution deals were placed on hold and filming had to stop altogether with no date to resume.

Though this year’s festival was the most diverse lineup in Sundance’s 35-year history, many artists fear the progress made in creating inclusive content will be put on the back burner as the film industry collectively tries to figure out what is coming next.

Unproven formulas and new experimental works will undoubtedly take a back seat in an industry that is not only about art, but also money. Rhyan LaMarr, a Chicago-based artist, filmmaker, and musician is sure this period in history will separate the true artists from those that have gotten too caught up in the

Main Street Atmosphere, 2016.

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Illustration by Diana Vega

OF TRADITION, FOOD AND CULTURE

by Anna Svedberg

An Adult Third Culture Kid and International Adoptee Shares how her Swedish Family Instilled a Strong Sense of Identity.

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G

rowing up as a Third Culture Kid can be complicated enough, navigating different

cultures and customs while still

maintaining the common thread of identity. Add another layer, such as being an international adoptee, and you have to be both consistent and adamant in how to raise children for them to gain a healthy sense of identity while navigating the tricky waters growing up as a citizen of the world.

This is my family’s own story of how we maintained normalcy through cooking and celebrating traditional holidays together with other Scandinavian families while abroad. Staying in touch with family friends of various cultures strengthened my sense of identity and connection with both my birth culture as well as my passport culture while appreciating and respecting local customs and traditions wherever we lived.

As a child, my friends and I felt honored that we were so graciously invited to strangers’ homes. The generosity I experienced while growing up overseas is something for which I will always be grateful. Local festivals and traditions were usually widely recognized through school activities as well as in family social gatherings, so we learned from a young age to respect and enjoy the local culture and customs wherever we were stationed.

COOKING, FOOD AND SPARKING MEMORIES Growing up overseas, my first few memories are of my mum cooking or baking in the kitchen with my sister and I helping and tasting the goodies. Food and traditions are quite important in my family. My mum explained to me that having adopted two beautiful girls from India, my parents were quite adamant to instill Swedish culture and traditions in us, especially as my sister and I grew up overseas.

This meant that whether we were stationed in a very traditional trade city in the desert or in the hustle and bustle of a mega Southeast Asian city, my sister and I would always have access to Swedish cinnamon rolls for any given holiday and the traditional Swedish smorgasbord for Christmas and Easter, including the world-famous savoury Swedish meatballs and cured salmon.

Since my mum loved cooking, she of course learned how to cook local dishes wherever we were stationed, which meant that my sister and I acquired an international palate from a very young age. If we missed our hometown from years ago, my mum would cook a meal to take my sister and me back taste-wise and it was almost like being there.

I have a particular memory of my family living in the Middle East and participating in local Eid celebrations. In those early days, mothers and children were invited to local family homes to partake in Eid festivities, which always included lots of delicious food as well as giving and receiving traditional Eid greetings.

By teaching children about their birth country as well as their passport country, while at the same time encouraging them to immerse themselves in local customs, children not only gain a healthy sense of self, but also a respect for all cultures and walks of life — a mark of a true citizen of the world.

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Also, while living in a Southeast Asian megacity, my family would celebrate the traditional MidAutumn Festival with other families at the beach, lighting lanterns and sending them out to sea ceremoniously at night. My parents explained that as guests in a culture, it’s important to observe and respect local culture and traditions.

A SENSE OF CONTINUITY My mum instilled Swedish traditions by decking our homes with festival-appropriate decorations, often hand-embroidered or hand-painted.

With traditional cooking, decorations and celebrations no matter where we were stationed in the world, my sister and I received a solid foundation of continuity in our upbringing. This was further strengthened as we enjoyed close ties with a network of Scandinavian families wherever we lived, with whom we could celebrate our traditions.

Regarding our Indian heritage, growing up overseas was a blessing as it allowed my family frequent trips to see family friends in India and close school friends with Southeast Asian backgrounds.

Together with my mum’s love for cooking Indian food, this enabled me to seamlessly blend my Indian heritage and Swedish identity together.

By teaching children about their birth country as well as their passport country, while at the same time encouraging them to immerse themselves in local customs, children not only gain a healthy sense of self, but also a respect for all cultures and walks of life — a mark of a true citizen of the world.

Here are some tips for families with children growing up in a globally mobile family as TCKs and as international adoptees.

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CULTURALLY FLUID CHILDREN: TIPS TO STRENGTHEN IDENTITY • Talk early about adoption, what it means.

• Educate your child on their birth country and culture so they can from a young age form an understanding of their heritage.

• Also teach early on about your child’s passport country, culture and language, so your child can easily repatriate if they would like to as an adult.

• Show a genuine interest in the local culture to educate your child that respect for all cultures is important to develop empathy for fellow human beings. My parents emphasized that, living as an expat family overseas, we were always a guest in someone’s country.

• Foster healthy family traditions that your child can hold onto as a common thread through your international moves.

• Surround your family with close friends — either locally or via distance — who can act as your family’s inner network, a safe constant in your child’s sometimes turbulent globally mobile life.

Emily P. Lawsin (L to R) Yuri Kochiyama and Grace Lee Boggs.

ASIAN ALLIES:

THE ACTIVISM WE NEED TODAY

WHY THE ASIAN AMERICAN BATTLE AGAINST RACISM CANNOT BE COMPARTMENTALIZED.

by Myra Dumapais, M.S.W.

“I

“It looked like a sieve,” he says.

Over Vietnamese sandwiches and chilled yellow boxes of Chrysanthemum tea, my mentor describes what he witnessed in the late 60s about a shootout that killed a vehicle-full of Black Panthers across the street.

It was a stark reminder that the Civil Rights movement was still recent, as one of my own Asian American mentors, in flesh and blood, tells the story

as if it just happened the day before. In between briefing sessions of my early community organizing days in Los Angeles, preparing to be a public speaker and volunteer coordinator, I realized that the Asian American battle against racism cannot be compartmentalized from the fight to end racism against African Americans.

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the post-colonial Filipino culture that assigns more value and beauty to the lighter gradients of skin color. Also (when not in international school), being picked last in physical education by classmates in Marion, Indiana, U.S.A. because I was “imported.”

Aside from my student involvement in a nationally covered peaceful demonstration in support of GLBT professors of color who were denied for tenure track, my experience as a community organizer in the Los Angeles Asian American community was what flung open the gates of my social consciousness to include racism in the U.S. Asian/Pacific Americans share a history of race-based discrimination, including the abuse of Chinese labor during the building of the transcontinental railroad, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and other Asian exclusion policies, U.S. concentration camps that held 120,000 Japanese and Japanese American citizens, and anti-miscegenation laws in various states, outlawed on the federal level only in 1967 and due to a mixed-race black and white couple.

There is also a history of Asian Americans being lynched. In the 1871 Chinese Massacre in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.A., 17 Chinese men were lynched and hung by a mob of 500 within a span of 18 hours. The late Dawn Mabalon, historian, scholar and community leader, shed ground-breaking light into the lynchings of Filipinos Jim Crow style in “Little Manila is in the Heart.” The book also discusses 60

While Asian American history involves horrendous acts of violent racism, it only demonstrates the need for more unity and solidarity with the very people groups who have experienced worse racism on a historical and macro level, as well as micro, individual level.

hangings of Filipinos in 1930, north of Stockton, Calif. The 1930 Watsonville Riots, involved almost a week-long hunt of Filipino farmworkers by a Caucasian mob numbering in the hundreds.

While Asian American history involves horrendous acts of violent racism, it only demonstrates the need for more unity and solidarity with the very people groups who have experienced worse racism on a historical and macro level, as well as micro, individual level. The long-term discrimination against black people in the U.S., as well as atrocities against Native Americans, created the acceptable behavior for how to treat other non-white groups that came later: various population groups of Asian Pacific Americans, Middle Eastern Americans and other ethnic groups seen as a threat to supporters of white supremacy.

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To combat racism against just one racial or ethnic group without confronting the earlier history of racism against African Americans (and, though smaller in population and publicized incidences, Native Americans), would be akin to wiping some frosting off the corner of one’s mouth, while an entire cake is covering the rest of the face.

According to historian Erika Lee, in Part two of the recent Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) special on Asian Americans: This idea that Asian Americans could become so successful without any government intervention or government help is used to delegitimize the real claims of discrimination by African Americans, but also to create a wedge between these two groups.

THE BAD ASIAN AMERICAN WOULD BE THE CRITIC WHO’S ALLYING WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICANS Earlier activists and community organizers seemed to understand the need for solidarity and unity much more than we do now. When the elderly Asian American residents of the International-Hotel (I-Hotel), the last remaining vestige of Manilatown, were being evicted with armed violent confrontation in 1977 so San Francisco could make way for what is now the Financial District, members of the Black Panther Party reportedly stood alongside the residents to confront the armed evictions.

Yuri Kochiyama (1921-2014), who was pictured cradling Malcom X’s head after his assassination, spent her entire adulthood as an activist for social justice and human rights and was known for building alliances with black leaders and movements. A survivor of a Japanese American incarceration camp with her family, Kochiyama later lived in Harlem, where she became immersed in the words of Black speakers, writers and activists and in black history. After she became friends with Malcolm X in 1963, Kochiyama’s politics shifted towards Black liberation and joined Black nationalist organization, the Republic of New Africa. According to Brown University, Kochiyama’s work is extensive, incorporating labor and human right causes outside the U.S. and exhibited a constant stance of solidarity in ending racism. NPR cites the bond

between Kochiyama and X inspired a one-act play called Yuri and Malcom X, by playwright Tim Toyama.

Another lifelong activist for social justice who worked in solidarity with Black movements was Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015).

While born to Chinese immigrant parents, Boggs became a noted figure in Detroit’s Black Power movement alongside the rights of workers, women and people of color. An author and philosopher, part of Boggs’ legacy was a mindfulness among activists. She co-authored “The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century (2012),” along with Scott Kurashige and actor Danny Glover. They said of Boggs after her death: She definitely recognized that the rebellions breaking out across

the U.S. today — and really around the world — just as they were in the 60s, were driven by a righteous outrage at the failures of the system to provide for the needs of the people. She also understood that revolutions don’t come from anger, they come from love. And they just don’t replace the people in power, they create a whole new system.

We have such a rich history of solidary work that can provide lessons for the current times of race relations. I have come to understand what it means to be brown or black in the United States. One thing I have learned the most is this: The solidarities we need to create and sustain, they all start with that first handshake or hello and a sharing of our stories that we sometimes discount as unnecessary.

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THE DIANGELO FILES CANDID CONVERSATIONS WITH THE AUTHOR OF “WHITE FRAGILITY”

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WHY IT’S SO HARD FOR WHITE PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT RACE.

by Donnyale Ambrosine

T

hinking back, I wonder what ran through the author’s mind when I said, “It’s different.”

I remember the long, heavy silence of the very pregnant pause.

Then the brusk, “I think it’s the same.”

That was our interaction toward the end of my interview with Robin DiAngelo, author of “White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.”

The book is arguably one of today’s most essential primers on racism and its foundation of white supremacy. DiAngelo, a white scholar and researcher, has spent two decades immersed in the study of whiteness. Formerly a tenured professor of multicultural education at Westfield State University, she’s been a lecturer, consultant and trainer on race and social justice for more than twenty years.

“White Fragility,” her most recent book, spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and recently toppled “The Hunger Games” prequel for the top spot on USA Today’s best-selling books list. It joined four other race-related books that comprised half of the paper’s top ten list. According to USA Today, Since the May 25 death of George Floyd re-ignited the Black Lives Matter movement and pushed it to a global scale, sales of books on race and racism have skyrocketed. Floyd was a 46-year-old black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A., knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes, ignoring Floyd’s pleas that he could not breathe.

DiAngelo and I discussed many a “fragile whiteness” scenario the day we spoke — including

the nature of those with geographic mobility during formative years (especially international mobility amongst disparate cultures and especially for people of color).

Like many who identify as Third Culture, I was stuck in the notion that we are special in this regard — the cultural regard — in understanding, in openmindedness, in fluidity and acceptance of culture, race and many of the nuances that come with them.

“Racism in the United States is different,” I offered, much like I’ve heard from many other Third Culture Kids (TCKs), including TCKs of color.

I think the remark dumfounded DiAngelo, if only during the brief time of that pregnant pause.

Less than a year later, her meaning was crystal clear.

During that year, I’d had multiple opportunities to interact with people on a professional level around the globe. Less knowing them through friendship, travel or schooling, and more through the lens of work and career. There, it was clear— an undercurrent seen in U.S. racism — the more insidious behind-the-veil, under-the-breath, barely acknowledged truth of what DiAngelo tried to convey that day. What she conveyed is that undercurrent is not just in the U.S., rather it’s the foundation of all western society and those they touch.

The “spearhead” of the experience that opened my eyes hailed from Europe, and another from Canada (Yes, kind, empathetic, we embrace everyoneCanada). It was an experience so subtle, that it took me decades to put my finger on how it operates in corporate America and U.S. higher education circles.

The realization hit me profoundly, as previous to this, I had taken personal responsibility thinking my individual shortcomings must be altered in order to www.CultursMag.com

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produce more effective experiences. Eventually, however, I was able to observe the thread that ran through these experiences. It was an epiphany that would change my world view: my view of whiteness, people of color and how we deal with racism — no matter where we grew up.

Often in professional situations, minoritized people complain of too much work, too little resources, not enough assistance. “That happens to everyone,” you might be thinking to yourself. When however, otherwise accomplished, intelligent, educated people consistently run into similar issues no matter how they tackle the complication — another option must be considered. In this case, a project was presented as a three-hour monthly endeavor. In reality, the first month logged more than one hundred hours of work. When discussed with the person in charge, they asked for proof of what had been presented in terms of time commitment for the project. Once the proof was provided, the solution given was to assign me the additional task of recruiting and hiring a volunteer to help — on top of continuing with the already overwhelming workload.

Going forward, any request for resources: financial or otherwise, were met with statements including, “I thought we already discussed this,” and “You’re taking something that was supposed to be fun and ruining it.”

Experiences such as these are common in the workplace. As DiAngelo asserts in the book, the assumption is “How dare you question me?”

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terror of racism lies in a system of oppression created to seem invisible so as to deny culpability. It is felt however, in the denial, rage and perceived insolence when one’s inherent (and presumed God-given) authority is questioned by one you deemed inferior.

“The messages of white supremacy circulate globally,” DiAngelo says. She asserts that as geographically mobile people, it’s up to us to figure out how it appears in the daily context of our unique lives. “So, change that from ‘if’ that happened, to ‘how,’ it happened,” she says.

The title of the book comes from the reaction most white people have when their notion of superiority is challenged. According to DiAngelo, whiteness isn’t something that’s named, it just is. And therein lies the “privilege.” The privilege as being normal, as all that is good and virtuous — the measure to which everything else is compared.

Many people see education as the ticket — and in many ways, it most certainly can be. Since institutions of higher learning originally were created for the elite, though time has elapsed, the foundations of the systems remain the same. What that means is that education also comes with a price.

“I’ve never seen whiteness more fiercely protected than in academia,” Diangelo says.

“White people, we measure the value of our spaces by the absence of people of color, and let’s be honest, primarily black people,” she says. “I can tell you white Americans are more comfortable with Africans and African immigrants … and not African Americans. There’s an innocence we don’t give to African Americans. [Africans are] also not carrying

White supremacy is actually a highly descriptive sociological term to describe the society in which white people are held up as the ideal for human, as the human norm — and all of us absorb that message.

centuries of oppression, at least not that form.”

Of white supremacy, in an interview on Gyneth Paltrow’s Goop podcast, DiAngelo notes, “Our socialization as white people, within a white supremacist society [is we], tend to associate it with the KKK and people wearing hoods. But it’s actually a

highly descriptive sociological term to describe the society in which white people are held up as the ideal for human, as the human norm. And all of us absorb that message.”

DiAngelo points out that many pieces play a part into that socialization: individualism and objectivity being two.

She says if people of color challenge these things, white people become undone because, “We are taught to be oblivious to all of this (part of it being the basis of our society, we are taught not to see it).”

She makes it clear however that, “We do know. Or 83 percent of people wouldn’t say they don’t want to be black.”

According to DiAngelo, though many tend to hold on to the blind spots to their behavior, a lot of white people have found that her book has helped them see something they haven’t seen before. She thinks “most white people would not want to be seen as racially fragile,” and points out the sense of liberation when people make the choice to see what previously had gone unseen.

“Is it possible you have a blind spot,” she asks. “If you had a blind spot would you want to know about it? What happens when someone tries to tell you about it?

“It’s like if I came out of the bathroom and my skirt is in my underwear and my behind is showing.

Someone finally runs up and tells you. Would you say: ‘No it is not, how dare you?’ No, I’d pull my skirt out. How open are you to knowing,” DiAngelo asks.

And that, in and of itself, may be the key to evolving race relations. www.CultursMag.com

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WHAT IS BLACK? IN TERMS OF PEOPLE, BLACKNESS IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH HOMOGENEITY.

by Donnyale Ambrosine

A

round the globe, no matter where you find the shade of skin that ranges from milky to mocha, deep chocolate to charcoal, as varied as the skin tone, so are the representations and cultures.

Yet many reduce the plethora of rich experiences, food, traditions and people to a single term. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey once shared her experience with identity naming in the United States, musing during a speech that in her lifetime of sixty-some years, she’s been referred to as negro, then colored, then black, African American and now a person of color.

Not everyone within this group may agree on how to be referenced, but most see and experience, racism, oppression and the ever-present boot of white supremacy in social structures worldwide.

As far as how she identifies, “I am neither racially white or black,” says Miya Kim during our conversation in the Facebook group “Third Culture Kids Everywhere.” Kim was born in South Korea, lived in Germany during adolescence and currently resides in Calif., U.S.A. She cites many reasons for complexity in how black people identify, elucidating that, “Being a TCK should not be an excuse to stay indifferent to the matters of white privilege in a society. But, our experiences can help amplify [and] address injustices in the world, including generational effects/ consequences of colonialism, institutionalized racism and exploitation and how they have affected communities of color.”

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Afro-Latin TCK Stephany Amalia agrees, saying “Let’s stop calling people by their skin color all together and let’s start defining them by ethnicity.

Not black people as if we’re one big homogeneous group, but African-American, Surinamese, Nigerian, Ghanaian, etc. I never call myself black and don’t define myself by a simple skin color, but I’m proudly Surinamese/Venezuelan. My culture/attitude/norms/ values are related to my ethnicity and TCKness, not my skin color.

Currently living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Amilia thinks we should center ourselves locally. “You can’t compare the struggle of African-Americans to the struggle of Surinamese or Curaçaoans in The Netherlands for example,” she says. As a TCK I grew up in a very inclusive, international community, meaning that my experiences vary greatly from many sharing the same skin color as me, as my experiences have been positive.” Amilia feels that by defining self and others by skin color, individuals are reducing their humanity to a single element. “We’re more complicated than that,” she argues.

Speaking to the complexity of the black immigrant experience in the U.S., Itoro Bassey and Ugo Edu bring it all full circle in their article “Anti-Blackness and the African Immigrant,” published on Medium.

“We all know that whether it’s Okonkwo or Otis walking down the street, when the police officer stops and frisks you, or when Karen clutches her purse when she sees you, or when you get passed over for that job because your workplace feels more comfortable with Andy’s ‘style,’ it don’t matter if you’re from Lagos or from the U.S. south. That’s the black experience. Like it or not, Okonkwo and Otis are linked through a common struggle.”

There’s so much more to be said about that struggle. Here, we bring six additional human stories from all backgrounds, nations and mixes and to try to put the experience into terms which we all can relate.

BLACKNESS

LOOKS LIKE

STOP

TRYING TO DILUTE OR EXPLAIN AWAY MY TRUTH

A NIGERIAN WORLD TRAVELER LIVING IN THE U.K. SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

by Omoruyi (Omo) Osagiede | Photography by Eulanda Shead-Osagiede

T

he George Floyd video (the one with the Minnesota police officer’s knee on his neck as Floyd gasped for breath and pled for his life) continues to haunt me. May Floyd find the justice in death that he was so brutally denied in life. www.CultursMag.com

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WHAT

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Sailing the coast of in Southwestern Turkey

I’m inspired to write this first as a way to process my feelings about this sad event. Secondly, I’m writing because some of my non-black friends have reached out privately to check up on me and express solidarity in the face of this latest flashpoint in the United States’ terrible interpretation of race relations.

Thank you for checking in.

Some have asked how they can be better at promoting positive images of black men and supporting black causes. Thank you for asking.

I am a naturalised British West African married to a black American. As a result, I have a range of life experiences that connect me to black cultures and causes — including those of the U.S. — in more ways than one.

being followed in shops by store security. That’s just the reality of a black man in predominantly white spaces. I typically shrug my shoulders and move on.

It was early-afternoon when I arrived in the town centre. Not being high tourist season, the town square was filled with mostly locals shopping, relaxing on park benches, drinking, playing games and socialising.

I was aware of their stares as soon as I entered their space.

In those circumstances, I instinctively switch on what I call my “Overcompensation Mode,” the one where I smile a bit more, slow some movements and exaggerate others so as to appear as unthreatening as possible.

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY… Some months ago, while on a work trip in Europe with a group of fellow digital content creators, I had gone off on my own to photograph around the town centre.

I was in a little town in a part of this particular European country where black men are a rarity.

In my extensive travels across the world, by now I’m used to standing out as a black man. I’m used to being stared at. I’m used to folks clutching their personal belongings just a little closer when I approach. I’m used to At an autumn farmers’ market in London.

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I set up my camera and began taking photos, recording video, speaking to camera, etc. I was drawing attention to myself with my activity so, naturally, it was normal to expect stares.

However, a police van soon pulled up and parked in the square a few feet from where I was standing. The policemen got out and looked at me. We made eye contact briefly before they turned to talk with some locals sitting on a park bench who were still staring at me.

Coming from a monoracial society like Nigeria, I was slow to recognize racial stereotyping. The U.S. version is well played out on our TV screens and in popular culture. The European version is more covert.

My “black-man-in-a-strangeplace” radar engaged and suddenly, I didn’t feel so relaxed.

The police didn’t bother me, but that was it for me. I decided it was time to move on. I packed my gear and headed to our hotel.

I re-joined my travel group in the foyer. We traded stories about our morning. Like me, everyone had gone off to do some lastminute photography.

THIS IS WHERE THE STORY GETS EVEN MORE PERSONAL… As we chatted, I half-jokingly, half-seriously said something like this: “You know what happened to me this morning? I caused quite the stir in the town square. It seems the locals haven’t seen too 70

many black people in their town.

I got a lot of stares while I was filming and shortly after, a police van showed up!”

I’m laughing as I’m saying this, trying to make light of the situation but at the same time trying to share my truth.

A white colleague in the group stopped me mid-narrative and said something like: “Noooo! How can you imply that the locals were staring at you because you’re black? How can you think that the police turned up just because you were there?

Noooo, don’t be silly.”

Inwardly I felt myself cringe.

My eyes narrowed and goose bumps covered my skin.

Instinctively, the group fell silent, waiting for my reaction. I locked eyes for a brief instant

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St. Dunstan in the East, City of London.

with the only other person of colour in the group. Instinctively, I understood that she KNEW what I was REALLY saying.

I did not complete my story. I sensed that no matter how I tried to explain my experience or how I felt, he wouldn’t get it. He was clueless about my lived experience as a black man and nothing I could say would convey my suppressed anxiety about being a black man in a predominately white society.

It was a brief, simple and innocuous exchange but with that one “innocent” remark, he was unconsciously diluting and explaining away my truth — probably without even realising it.

WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY POINT…

Outdoor dining in London.

Dear Non-Black People, I know you probably feel uncomfortable when black people or ethnic minorities in your friendship circles and societies talk about being stereotyped and marginalised.

I know you want to show empathy. You want to be our ally.

You want to be an advocate.

However, I understand that you may not always know the right words to say or how to use your positions or platforms to be vocal about your advocacy and to champion causes of racial equality and fairness. I get it.

Let me keep this simple: You can start by NOT dismissing what we feel as being NOTHING. The fears and anxieties we feel and the micro-aggressions we face

Bolt Tower, Ostrava, Czech Republic.

are not simply “in our heads.”

We’re not simply “overreacting” or “looking at things all wrong,” “making a fuss when there is no need,” or “screaming racial profiling for no reason.”

I’m not being melodramatic when I say that as a black man, I’m more anxious than others about being stereotyped and followed by security when I enter a store wearing a face mask and a cap (PS: that happened to me today in London).

I’m not being over-sensitive when I fear I am being profiled by immigration in some countries.

In one example, while arriving in another country with a group of journalists (I was the only black person in the group), I was briefly detained by local immigration and asked all manner of questions — even though I was travelling

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Visiting Southwestern Turkey.

with a group and we were ALL carrying British passports.

I’m not being a “diva” when I observe that I am getting passed over for service in some restaurants in some countries while non-black guests around me who arrived at the same time are getting served.

I may never be in a position where I’ve got the knee of a police officer on my neck but with the way some societies treat people of colour, we carry a weight on our shoulders every day.

I and your other black friends can probably give many more examples but I think I’ve made my point. I’m guessing that anyone reading this who is classed as minoritized in whatever society you live may find this story relatable.

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This is why statements like, “I don’t see colour” are problematic.

It is a failure to acknowledge your privilege and that another person’s lived experience based on their race or minority position might be different from yours.

You may never hear this from another person of colour so I’m saying it:

If you can’t be an ally, if you can’t be an advocate, if you can’t stand up for minoritized peoples when they’re being disadvantaged, DO NOT dismiss, dilute or explain away their pain, fear or anxieties.

We all want to see more racial tolerance and peaceful coexistence among races in our societies. I think it starts by listening.

Omoruyi (Omo) Osagiede is Third Culture Adult who originally hails from West Africa.

As an Information security and data privacy professional based in London, United Kingdom (U.K.), he’s worked for companies in the financial services, retail, telecoms, and energy and utilities industries across Nigeria, U.K. and Europe.

As a writer, he’s been published in Lonely Planet, Culturs Magazine and House of Coco Magazine. As a digital content creator, his work can be found on heydipyourtoesin. com (travel and lifestyle) and protectme.blog (digital security).

www.CultursMag.com Hiking in Ischgl, Paznaun Valley, Austria.

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HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE LIFE

WHEN WHITE IS THE STATUS QUO AND ANYTHING ELSE IS “OTHER?”

by Paloma Thompson

A BIRACIAL EXPAT SINGLE MUM IN MOROCCO DISCUSSES BELONGING. 74

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WHAT

I

t’s the 1960s in London,

and a 5-year-old black boy

blissfully eats Cadbury’s

Dairy Milk chocolate

fingers. The other, white

British, children in his class point and laugh, “look, he’s eating his fingers!”

Thirty years later, a 5-year-old dual heritage girl is standing in the school playground while the other children tell her “you can’t play with us, you’re the colour of poo!”

Twenty years hence, a 5-yearold white-passing boy is told that he is a bad person because his mother is brown, and everybody knows that brown and black people are bad.

Over the span of 50 years, nothing has changed. Britain’s racism hasn’t disappeared, it’s just gone underground. When white is the status quo and anything ‘other’ is exactly that, where do you go? For me, it’s Morocco.

I am not a black man, but my father is a black man. My brother is a black man, my uncles and cousins are black men. As a dual-heritage woman I am afforded some privileges that aren’t extended to my black male family members. However, that doesn’t mean I’m immune, there is a stark difference between life in my hometown, London, and my life in Marrakech.

In London, some people would identify me as black to justify or determine their treatment of me. On rare

BLACKNESS

occasions where I was perceived as ethnically ambiguous, they felt it was open season to express their true racist views against people of African descent.

From being followed around stores, to being called racial slurs and spat at on the street, I have never been more acutely aware of the colour of my skin than in the multicultural global hub that is London. Although racism wasn’t the motivating factor for me to move to Marrakech, it is one of the reasons I have no immediate plans to leave.

In a country where everybody else looks like me, I am not followed around stores or treated with suspicion. I am not called racial slurs, nor am I spat at. My relationship with my children isn’t questioned. The Moroccan people laugh in delight to discover that while I am brown, I am in fact not Moroccan nor do I speak Arabic and offer a few useful phrases with a smile.

Contrast this to a stranger on a train in London exclaiming that my English was very good and my quipping back that “I should hope so.” In the city of my birth, I was made to feel like an unwelcome alien. In my adopted city, I am welcomed like a longlost sister.

Unfortunately, changing your environment isn’t a possibility for everybody and so, I am left wondering how we can protect our black men when, despite our campaigns and protests, our speeches and rants, our marches and vigils, all we can say is “nothing’s changed?” We need allies, we need action — and we need it now. I’m starting with my

LOOKS LIKE

children who have the privilege of appearing white. I talk to them every day about race and discrimination, that people will turn their backs on them once they find out they are of African descent, that our ancestors were enslaved. I tell them that the black men in our family who they love and admire could be hurt for the colour of their skin. I tell them these things with the hope that one day they can say “something has changed.”

Paloma Thompson is a Marrakech, Morocco-based dual heritage, single parent of neurodiverse children from London, U.K. Her father is a British-born black man of Jamaican parents and her late mother was a British-born woman of Scottish and German heritage. Thompson has a science background with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Biology, and has previously worked in science education but now home-educating her children. She feels strongly about raising raceconscious, feminist children who are aware of world history and open to other cultures and languages through a combination of gentle and autonomous supportive parenting by world schooling. She has taken part in the MixedRacedFaces project, as well as written for The Motherload and gal-dem online magazines as well as her personal blog, Little Londoners.

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WHAT COLOR

IS ACCEPTABLE? A MILITARY B.R.A.T. THIRD CULTURE KID ON REPATRIATION.

I

by Sonja L. Motley-Turman

t’s 1962. I am sleeping

on my mother’s lap on

my way to Germany.

This is the first stop on my travels with my parents. My father served in the U.S. Army for more than 25 years. My mother Edna and I traveled the world with for many years. My grandmother knew that her daughter and her granddaughter were planning on living in Germany.

Before I came along, my father, T.L., Thomas Lathum stated “I don’t make girls.” Well I arrived female and was born June 1961. Dora, my grandmother noted, that I wouldn’t blend that very well in Bremerhaven, Germany. She decided that my father needed some help and suggested that he name me Sonja, after Sonja Henie a famous ice

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skater from Norway. My grandmother loved watching her skate and thought that would be a perfect name for me to help the path to acceptance.

On our way to Germany, I was feel asleep on my mother, settling in for a long flight. We were on our way — the first leg of our journey: destination Germany. As children do, I became curious about my surroundings after my nap. I put my head up above the headboard that was in front of us.

As I surveyed the crowd, my mother told me that someone said, “Hey there’s a baby on board.” Keep in mind a lot of these passengers were GIs, newly enlisted and singles without families. These were the days where there was no ill thought of letting a nearby passenger hold your baby. I was passed around like a new toy on Christmas day.

I was accepted. My grandmother’s advice about my name was kind of funny thinking back. The first issue was, well, it never became an issue. My babysitters, as well as my nanny, were German and I spoke German and English. I was accepted. After Germany it was

WHAT

BLACKNESS

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(L to R) Kenneth Turman and his wife Sonja L. Motley-Turman.

time to return to the U.S. in 1965.

Our next stop was Fort Bliss, Texas. Funny thing about Army brats, we know how to get along in unfamiliar places. We hear laughter, our language, see you smile and start to play and we carry on.

Next stop Fort Monroe, Virginia. A beautiful place with all four seasons. Red Cardinals, rich history in colonialism as well as African American history. There were eye-opening history lessons about the south. I was accepted in our little community.

Learning how to get along with your fellow Army kids came easy for me. Keep in mind this was 78

my life as a child. My father’s interaction with colleagues and service people proved more diverse. The topic, as well as reactions, of race did come up.

My father kept it to a minimum in our home. Life was neutral and calm.

My father had stories to tell. Between the Korean War and two stents in Vietnam, the experiences offered him a different representation despite his memories... never did company or a playmate of mine feel uncomfortable in our home.

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Time flew by in Virginia and we learned we would be stationed in a new place on the other side of the world — Bangkok, Thailand.

Asia proved to be new and mysterious. It filled my mother with trepidation. Mom was a black woman born and raised in Denver.

As the eldest, she helped raise six brothers and sisters and was a bit intimidated with the whole matter of Bangkok.

Well, the Army calls and off we go. I attended an international school where classmates came in every color and from every station in life that you could imagine.

Ambassadors kids, high-ranking military kids, prominent Thai families as well as the regular enlisted families. We all learn side by side. I was accepted.

Time’s up for Bangkok. We returned to the U.S. of A. and back to Denver, Colorado. I was in my preteens. Returning never seemed an issue to me. I have made friends wherever I land.

I have spoken to many people in my life that have had similar childhoods filled with travel adapting to new in foreign surroundings. The constant story was a smiling face, which meant a new opportunity for a playmate or friendship. We all learn to adapt.

The common goal of friendship.

After my return I began to feel some unfamiliar division and odd responses to my presence from both people of color and others. I have always known I was black (the term of the time) but it was never an issue and more of a marking of my physical identity, no difference. There were no presumptions or idea of who I am.

“I am Sonja — want to be friends?”

I retired the phrase (hi, I am Sonja, want to be friends) and quickly modeled myself with caution. I cannot tell you to this day that I have changed my approach to living my life and making friends and relationships.

It altered for a bit and was sprinkled with caution but I, once again I have lived a good life filled with a people of quality all colors and all backgrounds.

My heart hurts to the current state of affairs why it’s at almost 60 years of age this is ugly beast of division, separation, privilege and pure cruelty rear their ugly heads. Never in my lifetime did I expect for this severe of a reversal.

I do not feel accepted.

Please note I am not naive enough to think that it has changed 100 percent. Not naive to think that there will always be people who embrace division, who cling to prejudice, and terroristic thoughts. Those who comfort themselves with the demise of others, who hate differences and fear change.

I just never in my wildest dreams thought it would be fueled and stoked like a fire from people in power as well as people who feel that they are losing the power they thought they had.

My frustration is I do not have the answer. This is frustrating to me beyond belief the tarnishing of the future for other children to live without fear and persecution is heartbreaking.

I am living proof you can get along with others and look to see their differences and not be threatened. People with different faiths, people who were born in different places can be friends.

As I stated before my story is like many others. A brown child making their way through life and collecting friends, no matter what the race. It can be done. It must be done. Seeing with your heart, loving like a child — this is not a New Concept. This is a necessity for a quality life.

Can we try again?

Sonja L. Motley-Turman’s passion is being a personal stylist. Styling clients has been on the forefront of her many talents.

Dressing clients and helping them express who they are professionally as well as lifestyle is only half of the job. Visual merchandising and all things clothing-related keep her involved and fulfilled. Motley-Turman enjoys travel, creative dining, live music, visiting museums, attending movies, theater, and going shopping. Home, family and friends are very important to her. She loves being around animals as well. The next chapter is becoming an exciting reality: Volunteer work to bring knowledge of wardrobing to women in need. Helping them start over with confidence as well as, with their own style. Stay tuned for the next chapter. Learn more about her work at ClutterFreeCloset.net

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HOW I AM STRUGGLING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT BEING BLACK

IN MY WHITE RELATIONSHIPS

by Koya Nyangi

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WHAT

BLACKNESS

LOOKS LIKE

This Kenyan Global Nomad wants you to know how dismissal feels.

W

Amanda Brooks

e never had to

speak about it, but if we did, I was the one who brought it up and emphasized. I wanted to have those talks but we would just have the usual banter – “this is not the kind of music black people listen to,” etc., the easy stuff where I tiptoe in conversations for you.

Where I fully want to go IN but I know I will just be talking to myself. So, I settle for that kind of comedy stuff, not too deep but just light enough to talk about race while still allowing myself to dish out my sharp and edgy viewpoints.

I was never going to miss an opportunity, as it is my onus (even though these talks seem to make you uncomfortable, to let you know about the ongoing criminalization and killings of blackness happening across America.

I grew up in Kenya, where everybody around me was black, so being black was not an issue. In fact, I did not even recognize my blackness until I left the continent.

I was not going to go unscathed though, because I was from Africa.

I have that beautiful chocolate skin and kinky hair, so any black person’s struggle is a struggle that ultimately affects me.

The dangers of showing a people as one thing and as only one thing, over and over again makes it even harder to educate someone who doesn’t want to know about how race affects people like me, black people and the systems that have created this stigma. Nonetheless, I must have these conversations and I need you to have an opinion, as an ally and a co-conspirator. Where you commit to pursue equality even for the people that do not look like you.

Your silence is paralyzing, I need you to have an opinion, but I am afraid the opinion you have may put a damper on this relationship. To know that we have laughed and loved over many things, this one real issue, this one about me and my people this one that is important to me, we see it differently.

It angers me to know how you think and your nonchalant way of addressing it, your rationalization of it. But despite this one thing, I am trying my

level best not to dislike you, I want to see you as the bad guy, the opposite of an ally, but deep in my heart I still somehow manage to see you as a human.

Again, your silence is paralyzing. I need you to see the ways you can make a difference and how, through my peoples’ pain, your white privilege has been accorded to you. I want you to know that although you may see me as just a black friend, I come from generations of black people who have been hurt in so many ways.

Like black author Luvvie Ajayi said” White people, I’m talking to you. THIS. IS. YOUR. PROBLEM. TO. FIX. Y’all got some work to do, because this system that y’all keep on privileging from, you’ve got to help us dismantle it.”

After making long stops in Ethiopia, Rwanda, London, Dubai and India, Kenyan-born Koya Nyangi found new adventures and a new home in Denver, Colo., U.S.A. She loves to tell fashion stories through styling and writing and works as an editorial and personal stylist.

Nyangi calls herself the fashion curator — telling tales of fashion in culture; giving fashion fresh perspective. She lives by the motto #BeBoldBeBraveBeDifferent Keep up with her on Instagram @letmeshowyoudifferent

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ACHIEVING THE

AMERICAN DREAM Terrance Pace with the couple’s daughters.

REAL ESTATE STRATEGIST LORI PACE IMMIGRATED WITH HER PARENTS FROM JAMAICA TO THE U.S., AND WAS RAISED IN AFFLUENT WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS

by Lori Pace Following British Commonwealth practices, she was taught not to rock the boat, a mainstay of her reserved, sophisticated mother and father. On the day of George Floyd’s death, however, her eyes were opened to the cost of fitting in.

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n the day I decided to escape my reality and unplug for a few hours to exhale, find calm and breathe in the mountains, a black man stopped breathing.

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The next day, my husband woke up taking a deep breath as he watched and re-watched the video of yet another black man being murdered. This time by a knee, as other men watched like it was a reality show for entertainment. My husband, Terrence, was TRIGGERED! As his wife and the mother of his children, there was nothing I could do to nurture that wound and make him feel better or safe.

In fact, I had to try to understand that kind of anger he could not put into peaceful words. Trying to CALM him down was like putting water on a grease fire.

WHAT

After a very tense discussion, he had to act like everything was okay and go to work as a commercial real estate broker.

Actually, most EVERY DAY he has to hold his breath and hope that he is given the opportunity to not only earn the trust of his colleagues, but make a LIVING hoping for someone’s permission to earn business in an industry DOMINATED by men who may never understand the burden of his pretending that it is business as usual.

He is one of the lucky ones who has two other men in his office that look like him that can relate to this “persistence, not resistance.” (Having colleagues who look like you is like finding a needle in a hay stack in the Real Estate industry.)

First, he stayed quiet about the bent knee in the National Football League (NFL) because he works in the boys club. He knows who butters his bread. Sports is that thing that “the boys” felt most comfortable discussing.

After all, he was an athlete and many of his colleagues felt that was their ONLY common ground.

I won’t even get into the analogy of being facedown on the ground.

Mr. Pace learned not to take discussing sports and not business personally. Instead of asking to do business with him or join THEM on a pitch or a project they asked him, “Did you play basketball?”

This time, Safer-At-Home to conduct business is not about COVID-19; it is because of another bent knee. A KNEE that killed someone who fits my husband’s exact description: “Tall black man, almost like a giant

BLACKNESS

with money in his hand that does not appear to belong to him.”

Well, he woke up again this morning and started making calls like everything was okay when he is not feeling ok at all. But his focus is trying to make money for our family to thrive and not ONLY survive.

This morning I listened to him transact business during these times, when mentally I know he has had ENOUGH and still he RISES up despite at times feeling like he is being forced to stay down.

Today, I had a new appreciation for his anger, sadness, pride and perseverance as not a father, a husband or a Broker but a BLACK MAN selling Real Estate while Being BLACK. How is he able to focus and concentrate?

I call this the status of our mental health COMPLICATED being black not just in America but the world.

LOOKS LIKE

Lori Pace is originally from Jamaica. A Thought Leader, Real Estate Strategist, Speaker, Community Leader, and Activist, she curates the International Diversity Difference Experience.

She has been actively involved in the Real Estate industry over the last 25 years — Residential and Commercial Real Estate, Urban Planning, Investing, Architecture, Consulting. Her first-hand experience and stories as a successful Realtor and immigrant providing a unique perspective and lens for differentiating your Business and Brand. She believes in profitable result-driven success breaking through unconscious boundaries and bias. Her authentic ability to engage in using her entertaining and heartfelt superpower will change your PACE professionally and personally beyond your imagination.

(L to R) Terrance and Lori Pace.

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I WANT TO BREATHE: A CROSS-CULTURAL MULTIRACIAL MOTHER’S VIEW OF BLACKNESS.

by Paulette Bethel

I 84

n 1985, I gave birth to our “pogi” baby boy while stationed overseas in the Philippines.Pogi means “handsome” in Filipino Tagalog (locals would see our son and say “Pogi, pogi, pogi”). I still vividly recall the moment our newest Third Culture Kid (TCK) was shown to us. I rejoiced in the magnificence of his birth

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and the hope and responsibility that comes with bringing a new life into the world. In those precious moments, the one thing that we did not give thought to was the prospect of ugliness that might await him in his future, especially while living in the protective cocoon of an overseas, military community.

As I reflect upon what it still means to be black, or aperson of color in the United States of America (U.S.), I think about the sleepless nights I have experienced being concerned for my black and multiracial children (especially after we returned from living overseas). When we lived outside the U.S., our TCKs were mostly seen as from the U.S. Even though

WHAT

they experienced marginalizing issues as TCKs of color, as their parents, rarely did we face the worries for their safety that often comes with black parenthood in the U.S. Since viewing the video of George Floyd crying out for his mother, as he lay pinned beneath the weight of the cold, calculated knee being pressed into his neck and taking his last dying breath, I felt the stab of pain and grief that nearly every black mother fears in this country. As I watched, I could hear the screams of my African ancestors holed up in the bowels of a slave ship, living through the brutality of slavery and hearing them crying out, “I can’t breathe.”

With tears in my eyes, I desperately wanted those intrusive images to stop flashing through my mind like an oldschool slide projector. I immediately thought of my husband, who, far too often, had faced being stopped and humiliated by police officers in the presence of our frightened children for driving (or being) while black and him staying quiet to ensure his safety of his family. I thought about our son (and our daughters), who knew the experience of being followed in stores for shopping while black. I thought of my coming of age grandchildren, with their varied skin tones and appearances. I thought about my deceased father who, I am sure, had a mixture of feelings about being a traveled man of color, who faced unspeakable racism during World

BLACKNESS

War II, followed by decades of dealing with overt and covert racism and discrimination.

I thought of my brothers, uncles, nephews and my black, mixed-race and multiracial cousins located throughout the country. I thought of the nights I lay awake worried when our children were out with friends, despite living in a safe community. I feared that I would receive a call telling me that one of them had been killed in heinous, cold-blooded police encounter. “I can’t breathe.”

With the Amy Cooper encounter in Central Park and death of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, I am, once again, reminded that no matter how worldly, accomplished and traveled we and our precious ATCKs are, or that our more tanned son is on his way to becoming as accomplished as the all the Chris Coppers of the world and potentially being at risk of facing self-acclaimed, liberal white women hurling threats against his personhood and black body with impunity. “I can’t breathe.”

Because of our chosen lifestyle, I naively thought that I and my family would escape the insidiousness of hard-core racism in the U.S. and the intrusions of microaggressions, even when living in other countries and cultures. Despite yet another sad and violent murder of an unarmed black American, I continue to have hope and find ways to channel my fears and anxieties

LOOKS LIKE

into something good. I need to believe this. I want to breathe.

I believe in our children and their potential to live a long, full, successful and culturally rich lives, especially as multicultural people being borne of a multicultural world. I need to believe this is still a truth for them. We have emphasized to them and our cross-cultural grandchildren that no matter what the world tells them — they matter. I continually encourage them to use their lives of privilege to become catalysts for change. I want them to know the freedom of expression of being able to — simply breathe.

Paulette Martinez Bethel, PhD, CMC, is an Adult Cross Cultural Kid (CCK). She and her spouse served as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force and raised their four Third Culture Military B.R.A.T.s in multiple overseas and U.S. domestic locations. As a black-identified, multiracial woman raising her blended family of black and multiracial children, Bethel developed a thirst to learn more about cross-cultural and Third Culture identities, hidden diversity and thriving in a fluid, marginalized environment.

Bethel also is a certified trauma recovery master coach, a Masters level marriage and family therapist and international speaker. She currently serves as President of Discoveries Coaching and Consulting.

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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 PRINCESS OBSIDIAN Model: Zaria Amiyah Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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Yazz Atmore, founder of Crowned Curls www.CultursMag.com

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Illustration by Diana Vega

Breathe.

If only for a moment.

Collapse if you must.

Rest.

A powerful ritual.

You will return here often.

Give thanks to your body.

It has carried you through the revolution.

We need you well & healthy.

We need you to do your part.

MUST l KNOW

TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY

A TCK LAWYER, A FORENSIC SCIENTIST AND A FILMMAKER PRODUCE “STRANGLED,” A DOCUMENTARY ON THE U.S. JUSTICE SYSTEM AND CASE STUDY ON ONE MAN’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.

T Photo courtesy of Donna Musil.

by Donna Musil

Drawing by Carlton Gary, a self-taught artist.

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hose in the U.S. typically presume wrongful legal convictions are the result of a few “bad apples” — a dirty cop, an overzealous prosecutor or a corrupt judge.

But what if the whole tree is rotten? What if the whole concept of an adversarial system is doomed from its inception? Prosecutors, for example, are required by law to act as “ministers of justice” (who presumably care about truth and the defendant) and zealous advocates for the crime victims.

But as Daniel Medwed, Northeastern law professor and author of “Prosecution Complex,” posits, can you really root for both the Yankees and the Red Sox? For the past four years, filmmakers Donna Musil, Meg Cormier and Aidan McCarthy have been documenting the trials and execution of Carlton Gary, a professional thief dubbed the “Stocking Strangler” who, in the

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

late 1970s, was convicted of raping and murdering seven elderly women in Georgia, U.S.A. Musil is a former labor lawyer and Cormier is a forensic scientist.

What began as curiosity about a case that consumed the town in which Musil was born, has turned into a deep dive into exactly how wrongful convictions occur, why and to whom they happen, and what, if anything, can be done about them.

“It’s important for people to understand that, although you hear about innocent people getting out of prison, says Duke law Professor Brandon Garrett, author of Convicting the Innocent “There are many more people who have strong evidence of their innocence and will never be released. They will die in prison, knowing that they are innocent.

And that is the way it is.”

How is this possible in the “greatest legal system in the world?”

Well, perhaps it’s not the greatest legal system in the world, and the first, most crucial, step is admitting that. In fact, examining the inner workings of a forty-plus year capital defense case threw both Musil and Cormier for an intellectual loop. It certainly wasn’t what they were taught in law school or forensic science school. “Our thought was, oh yeah, the system is broken and blah. But then we started thinking and it’s like, maybe the system’s not broken. Maybe the system is set up to put people in jail. And it’s working very effectively. As a matter of fact, it’s working as designed,” says Capital Defender, Jeffrey Ertel,

Carlton Gary, during one of his pre-trial hearings.

who served as one of Gary’s appellate lawyers.

Race plays a major role in a criminal justice system that seems more concerned with the appearance of justice than with the actual search for truth.

Although African-Americans account for 30 percent of the population and 65 percent of murder victims, 80 of the people on death row are there for killing white victims. Carlton was black and the strangling victims were white grandmothers. Anyone who thinks that doesn’t affect the conduct and outcome of the trial is fooling themselves.

“When a white deputy sheriff comes up, black people didn’t say, ‘here comes the police,’ they say, ‘here comes the law.’ And that’s why you have the culture you have among police today. There’s that value set that, ‘I wear a gun, I wear a badge, I AM the law,’” says Capital Defender Gary Parker, one of Gary’s original trial lawyers.

As millions of Americans take to the streets to protest police brutality, “Strangled” hopes to illuminate just how deeply

entrenched our problems are, and how difficult it’s going to be to dig up its systemic roots.

“Because, with regard to race, everybody — the judges, prosecutors, legislators, everybody is gonna just whistle past the graveyard, just pretend that it’s not there. And it is there.And something has to be done about it, because more and more you’re alienating a big part of the population that’s being excluded and being mistreated. And if they think they’re being mistreated in the community, let me tell you, they ought to go into the court system and see how they’re being mistreated,” says Capital Defender Stephen Bright, who is Founder of the Southern Center for Human Rights.

It’s too late for Carlton Gary.

He was executed in March of 2018. But perhaps his trials and tribulations can help light the way for a more just and equitable criminal justice system. Or at least expand the conversation.

Find out how you can support the production of “Strangled,” at www.blindturtle.org.

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MUST l DO

THE SUNDANCE EXPERIENCE

by Rebekah E. Henderson

S

undance is more than just a film

festival founded by Robert Redford in

Park City, Utah in 1985. It has

grown into one of the world’s most

prestigious events for independent

filmmakers and it is an experience.

Notably, Sundance 2020 featured the most diverse lineup of films in the festival’s history.

A beautiful idealized version of what the film world could and should look like; a mosaic of stories told in new and innovative ways. For a person experiencing Sundance for the first time, this year’s festival was a rich, colorful gathering, full of promotional parties, free swag and a variety of programming designed to educate and inspire.

If Rhyan LaMarr, a Chicago based filmmaker, had attended his first Sundance in the early 2000s he may have gone a long way on Main Street (the heart of the festival) without seeing another Black man. He may have felt out of place on his own, like he didn’t belong.

If L.A.- based actress Chelsea Harris, who one hundred percent belongs in any room she graces, had decided to take her first trip to Sundance as a child, she wouldn’t have noticed how few female filmmakers were strolling down Main Street, because why would you notice something that wasn’t there?

If a Jamaican-born, Los Angeles-based Animator

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Actress Raven Goodwin and her Husband And Rebekah.

Actor Folake Olowofoyek from CBS’ hit show “Bob Hearts Abishola.”

Jade Bryan, a Jamaican-American Black Deaf filmmaker.

and filmmaker like Ruel Smith had bumped into Jade Bryan, a Jamaican-American deaf Black female filmmaker, they might have held hands and promised to stick together for the whole festival.

If a group of documentary filmmakers comprised of women and non-binary people of color called the Brown Girls Doc Mafia showed up, they might have been arrested when they tried to set up a meeting with studio executives, distributors and funders.

The experience that the aforementioned people had at Sundance 2020 was thankfully nothing like that, due to trailblazing filmmakers who recognized the need for affinity groups and extra support for those that are not part of “dominant culture.”

The idea of “diversity lounges” at Sundance began when filmmaker Brickson Diamond, producer Carol Ann Shine, and former Chief Diversity officer for Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Ryan Tarpley, found themselves together in Ellen Huang’s now defunct “Queer Lounge.” Shine proposed they create a similar lounge, but for Black people. The lounges are sponsored spaces that host programs and panel,in addition to being a place for people to relax, gather, network, charge their phones and fuel their tanks with snacks and drinks. Many of the events scheduled at these lounges are free and open to the public.

The Blackhouse Foundation (co-founded by Diamond, Shine and Tarpley) became an official sponsor at Sundance in 2007. Creating the space sent a message that encouraged Blackerati like Eddie Murphy, P-Diddy and 3-6 Mafia to attend. Over the years more lounges were created as safe havens and networking spaces for filmmakers from a variety of backgrounds. Macro Lodge is another hot spot for filmmakers of color. This year was the first time Latinx House opened its doors.

SUNDANCE 2020 WAS A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE FOR FILMMAKERS OF COLOR It was pure Black and Brown Magic. And Asian Magic.

And Indigenous Magic. And of course, movie magic.

For many in attendance, Sundance isn’t only about the films. The connections made simply by walking down Main Street or stopping to get an ice cream are key to having a bonafide Sundance experience. Smith doesn’t know why he wanted ice cream in such cold weather, but the chit chat he made www.CultursMag.com

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Jade and Jacinda.

with the filmmaker in front of him turned into saved seats, passes to waitlisted films and friendship.

Smith has had a highly successful career in animation and digital effects, working on films like “Captain Marvel,” “Black Panther” and “The Jungle Book.” Sundance 2020 was his second time at the festival. When he first attended in 2018, he recalled running from screening to screening. This year, with his goal of directing his first feature in 2020, he decided to give himself more time to check out the lounges and glean as much knowledge as possible. It’s easy to talk to people at Sundance. It isn’t the high pressure environment of Hollywood or New York. Most people are highly approachable which can result in meaningful personal and professional connections. Smith noted, “We’re all just filmmakers, having a conversation.”

LaMarr was hesitant in years past to attend Sundance “without being invited” or having a film in the festival. LaMarr was attending to support a producing partner whose film was premiering — the highly 92

Indegenous, two-spirit doctor, James Makokis.

anticipated Tesla. LaMarr compared his first Sundance experience to being in college, an eager kid with a backpack ready to learn and then get out into the world to create. In a quintessential Sundance story, LaMarr recounted that he wasn’t sure how, but he found himself at a private networking house party full of lawyers which reminded him of the many facets of the film industry and the importance of networking.

Affinity lounges and the sponsors who invest in them have helped change the social and cultural fabric of Sundance in a beautiful way. Blackhouse is more than a lounge, it’s a community. When tragic news came that basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter had died in a helicopter crash, LaMarr was in the Blackhouse watching a panel discussion. The bad news rippled through the crowded room. Heads came together as people remained respectful of the speakers, while also praying it was a hoax. The death of a Black icon when so many Black people were having one of the best experiences of their lives was

Summer 2020 | www.CultursMag.com

jarring. LaMarr, Smith and actor Chelsea Harris (“Star Trek: Picard,” “Snowpiercer,” “Top Gun: Maverick”) were grateful to be in Black spaces to help process the loss. Kobe’s untimely death, reminding us that tomorrow is not promised, will undoubtedly inspire many to take concrete steps to pursue their dreams.

Harris spent most of her Sundance experience at Women in Film events. The panels and discussions helped her to realize that writing, directing and producing her own projects could easily become a reality. She is currently co-writing a series and co-writing a book now that she’s back in L.A.

KEEPING CREATIVITY ALIVE Even without a shared grief experience, Sundance has a way of revving up creative juices, and keeping artists focused on their creative journeys, by any means necessary. Jade Bryan is one such fighter. She attended Sundance for the first time in 2014 . In 2019 she asked a revolutionary question. What would it take for

Chelsea and Ashley.

BGDM mixer wit

th HBO.

the film industry to allow Deaf people to tell their own stories?

Bryan is fighting for her seat at the table and it seems that 2020 could be her year. She has a secret project that is currently in negotiations. Bryan is not afraid to be the first; her intersecting identities; deaf, Black, woman, and child of immigrants have helped shape her art and vision.

She wants to see more than a handful of deaf actors given token roles. Deaf people need to be represented in the industry at all levels; writing, directing and producing. She won’t rest until she sees the inclusion that deaf creators deserve.

Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM) is an initiative that advocates for more than 3,300 women and non-binary filmmakers of color. Its mission is to tackle inequity in the industry by providing community, resources, learning opportunities and “nourishing creative brilliance.” NYC-based Filmmaker Tanya Perez “straight up cried” when she went into Latinx house for the first time. She is a proud member of BGDM and was

MACRO Lounge.

Rebekah and Karan Kendrick.

thrilled to engage with executives that interacted with BGDM members, regardless of whether or not they had a film in the festival.

Toni Kamau, a Kenya-based independent film producer and active member of BGDM was elated to see her film Softie premiere at Sundance this year.

The film received a special jury prize for editing. Kamau observed a marked increase in representation since her first Sundance experience in 2017, and BGDM’s networking events with CNN, HBO and Netflix were the cherry on top of a sweet Sundance.

Celene Beth Calderon hails from Park City and has been involved with Sundance for the past five years as a volunteer, filmmaker and staff member. She also belongs to BGDM. Calderon is pleased with the representation of people of color overall at Sundance but would like to see an increase in Latinx representation in programming and content.

Like Perez, Calderon sees the addition of Latinx House as a sign that more opportunities are well on their way.

Cat Gund, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, is well aware of the need for more women in film. Providing tools and support to women, particularly women of color, is essential to growing and improving the documentary and narrative film field. Gund’ says her non-profit, Aubin pictures, offers “mentorship, network building, and skills development to bring in and support traditionally marginalized people.”

Vatsala Goel is co-Director of Photography for Cat Gund’s “Aggie,” which premiered at Sundance. She was pleased to note the amount of organizations (including BGDM) dedicated to making space and ensuring that filmmakers of color are seen, heard and featured at Sundance.

There are more barriers to be lifted, but the value of attending Sundance for filmmakers of color can’t be denied. Filmmakers leave inspired, uplifted, and ready to make magic.

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MUST l SEE

African American

Princesses PRINCESS EMERALD Model: Cassidy Fralin Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne 94 Mwazo Summer 2020 | www.CultursMag.com Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

L

aChanda Gatson had a dream. The international hairstylist has worked extensively in Hollywood and wanted to depict African-American girls as princesses — complete with all the finest regalia. “People never think of a hairstylist doing something like this. They always think it’s a photographer,” she says. But the vision, all the details, and coordination of the project were her brainchild from start to finish. “Hairstyling is my artistic expression and creative outlet.”

The result — we get to revel in the splendor of her African American Princesses.

PRINCESS TIGERS EYE Model: Jordyn Curlett Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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MUST l SEE

PRINCESS MOONSTONE

PRINCESS GARNET Model: Alexis Wanguhu Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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Model: Layla Brown Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

MUST l SEE

PRINCESS TURQUOISE Model: Taylor Lia Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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MUST l SEE

PRINCESS DIAMOND PRINCESS ROSE QUARTZ Model: Chloe Brown Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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Model: Emoni Diamond Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

MUST l SEE

PRINCESS AMBER Model: Nyla Cyprian Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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MUST l SEE

PRINCESS JADE Model: Celai West Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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MUST l SEE

PRINCESS CITRINE PRINCESS AQUAMARINE Model: Rihley Sims Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

Model: Kheris Rogers Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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MUST l SEE

PRINCESS AMETHYST Model: Jaxon Moore Creative Director/ Hairstylist: LaChanda Gatson Photography: Creative Soul Photography Make Up: Chabrea Martin Make Up: Keisha Tate Stylist: Yvonne Mwazo Assistant Stylist : Bebe Couri

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To learn more, hover your smartphone here or visit CultursMag.com/African-AmericanPrincess

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MUST l READ

(L t

oR

) Illu

stra

tor

Gis

elle

Vrie s

en

and

Aut h

or A

B

lex

and

ria

Kin

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Billy Woods

orn and raised in Canada, crosscultural, multiracial Alexandria King is author of “The Moon In You: A Period Book for Girls.” She is a mother and new age teacher supporting women and girls to look at their bodies with a healing perspective. Her intention is to shed light on what was once dark and illuminate what is beautiful about girls’ and womens’ bodies.

“I’m here to start the puberty talk with your daughter in a loving way, so you can fully support and connect with her without the weirdness,” she says. “For years I worked through my own trauma, listening to my guidance and intuition, knowing that if I could deconstruct it for myself, my daughter wouldn’t have to. I saw that energy was locked up inside of me from a lack of education, abuse as a child and untrue stories told to me about what it means to be a woman. So, when I finished writing this book, my daughter Giselle was the one to illustrate it, our family healing complete.

Your period is nature; beautiful, inspiring, nature. Reading this book will help uncover how periods have been kept in the dark, and by the end you will find yourself closer to feeling The Moon In You. You will go on a journey that happens inside of you, a story that unfolds as you realize — your period is a rite of passage.”

For girls age eight to 12; $21 at LittleRedsLibrary.com

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MUST l READ

WHERE AM I FROM?

A

uthor Elisavet Arkolaki and her family are from everywhere.

Passionate about travel and inspired by global learning, she raises her own children in-between countries, cultures and languages.

She writes to build cultural understanding and sensitivity in young children while they are still eager to learn.

Along with Greek Artist Platon, “Where Am I From?” is wonderfully illustrated and explores the world through the wonder and colorful fancy of a child’s open mind. $17.95 hardcover, $9.99 paperback at Amazon.com

All the children of the world united. ‘We’re going to solve this riddle,’ they decided. They were confused but quite excited.

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HAWAIIAN PRAYER

H

MUST l HAVE

o’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Ho’o (“to make”) and pono (“right”).

The philosophy behind this practice is

that we’re each responsible for what shows up in our reality. We own our feelings and our experiences. So even if someone else has wronged us, we’re the ones saying “I am sorry. Forgive me.” The foundation of this practice is unity: an unbreakable bond that connects you to everyone else, even though we seem so separate.

Across all cultures, we all agree that the concepts of thank you, I’m sorry, please forgive me and I love you are all valuable and important. By activating this mantra in your life, you initiate the act and intention of holding space for reflection, repentance, forgiveness, and gratitude. Ho’oponopono contains an awareness that the discordance we find in others and in the world outside ourselves is due to “errors” in thought stored in our personal and collective memories.

It’s more than the prayer alone; it’s a process of making things right in your relationships — with others, ancestors, deities, the earth, yourself.

Artist Sandra Kusano writes, “my interpretation of this prayer was inspired by recent events surrounding the loss of our brother, George Floyd and the countless others around the globe, some whose name we know and some who have gone nameless. My intention is to honour the gorgeous tones of humanity which blend into one another so naturally and effortlessly. My wish is that we heal from the inside out and allow the ripple of hope to fill every corner of our planet.

It is my honour to share it with you.”

Instant download: $4.49, GoingKnowhere.Today/shop.

Use code: CULTURS for 10% off at checkout.

I used to feel bad that I didn’t have a solid identity with a specific culture and nationality.

I envied friends who confidently exclaimed they were “X” without hesitation. I am a KoreanJapanese-American but I proudly identify as a global citizen. Who I am today, is layer upon layer of interactions with people from many cultures around the globe. My life’s passion is exploring both the outer and inner world.

— Sandra Kusano

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TECHNOLOGY

Photography courtesy of Uncharted Power

by Andrea Bazoin, M.Ed., Founder of everHuman

Jessica Matthews

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TECHNOLOGY

JESSICA MATTHEWS IS

POWERFULLY UNCHARTED CEO Jessica Matthews is about movement.

H

er dual citizenship comes from the movement of

her parents, who emigrated from Nigeria to New

York, USA, where she was raised.

As a junior at Harvard University, Matthews invented the SOCCKET Ball, a soccer ball that captures and stores Motion-based, Off-grid, Renewable Energy (MORE) to power homes in the developing world.

In 2011, Matthews founded Uncharted Power with a mission to utilize the untapped clean, renewable, kinetic energy (the energy of movement) to power rapidly-developing smart communities across the world. In 2017, the team raised over $7M in Series A venture capital.

Now in its fourth iteration, Uncharted Power’s Think Out of Bounds educational curriculum has created a movement to empower young inventors through partnerships with local nonprofits in the United States (New York, Maryland, Florida), Africa (Nigeria and Swaziland), Europe (Germany) and Puerto Rico.

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TECHNOLOGY

Today, Matthews and her team at Uncharted Power are preparing to make big moves to decentralize energy infrastructures in the developing world, which will catalyze change for utility industries, land developers, community developers, Tel-Co’s and 5G service providers, Internet of Things (IoT), and more.

Matthews’ moves generate powerful kinetic energy.

So, what sustains Matthews with all of this power?

“Regardless of where I was specifically born, who I am is very much is grounded in the fact that I am Nigerian-American. It’s not one or the other, and not necessarily one more than the other. It is my complete situation. I would not be who I am today if I did not have that juxtaposition,” shares Matthews.

“If you just see me as an African-American person in the United States,” Matthews continues, “you wouldn’t understand why it was so important for me to solve this problem - what I was doing in Nigeria and the root cause that pushed this. At the same time, if I was just calling myself Nigerian, you wouldn’t understand how I was exposed to enough resources to solve this problem. My Nigerian side made me believe that change was possible. My American side exposed me to the connections and resources I needed to make it happen.”

For Matthews, her hyphens have been her competitive advantage against those who would underestimate her.

Jessica Matthews with investors celebrity comedian and TV star Hannibal Burress and Z Digit

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TECHNOLOGY

tal PR Maven Zena Hanna.

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TECHNOLOGY

For Matthews, her hyphens have been her competitive advantage against those who would underestimate her.

“As a woman,” Matthews explains, “people will inherently see you as less. Whether you’re speaking about what your technology can do, or you’re going to the hospital saying ‘I’m sick, and I need medication.’ You add on being a black woman, it multiplies. I decided this would be my competitive advantage. Being underestimated enabled me to have a safe space to till, nurture, and cultivate my vision without people immediately saying ‘You’re a target.

We need to end you.’ Instead they thought, ‘You’re no threat.’ If you’re spending half your time blocking people, you’re not building. The mistake they made is they gave me enough time to quietly build a team, build out IP, and build a level of confidence.

Sometimes you don’t need everyone to believe in you, you just need time to figure out what you’re building and how you’re going to be prepared to stand next to it. So, now we’re entering a stage of the organization where we’re about to show everyone what we’re doing. Sometimes being underestimated can protect you.”

As a company, Uncharted Power is preparing to move from quietly building to boldly shining.

Jessica Matthews.

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TECHNOLOGY

“In the last few years,” Matthews explains, “we’ve been working on technology for infrastructure, meaning not something you can buy off the shelf or on Amazon, but the things you find around you in your build environment. It required us to understand way more about energy infrastructure than probably 99% of the world. Everyone understands a soccer ball that generates energy. Very few people understand why decentralized power, transmitted through underground or above ground transmission lines, is what’s holding us back. By 2020, we will begin showcasing our very precise solution, including the team we’ve built to make it happen.”

For Matthews, inspiration and service are at the heart of Uncharted Power.

“We want to serve and inspire a billion people,” Matthews shares. “We need as many people as possible to believe they can be part of the solution.”

Today, Matthews continues to lead a movement of empowerment by leveraging her hyphens.

“Our intersectionality shouldn’t be something you gloss over,” asserts Matthews, “It should be something you lean into because it enables you to build empathy with as many different types of people as possible. We should take the time to hyphenate, then lean in and understand it. We need to own our other.”

Jessica Matthews with NBA star and Uncharted Power investor Chris Paul.

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HISTORY PRE-WRITTEN:

TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSFER OF

TRAUMA, SYSTEMIC RACISM AND UNRESOLVED GRIEF.

W

by Paulette Bethel, PhD, CTRC-A, CMC

hen I was seven years old, I went for an extended visit with my treasured great-grandmother. Always a highpoint of summer vacations, I indelibly remember the excitement of being invited to attend mass with one of my favorite great uncles and his daughters.

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the catholic custom for females to keep their heads covered). These are the things that build wonderfully, enjoyable childhood memories. That same morning, I also remember a strange woman walking quickly toward us in a way that I could see concerned my uncle. Without addressing or acknowledging my uncle, she pushed her body passed him and attempted to remove me from his care. Fearful, I pulled back and buried my face against his body for protection. She responded by pulling on me even harder and saying, “Honey, you need to come with me. You are in the wrong part of the church. You belong in the front with the white people.” Pulling me out, she quickly ferried me to the front of the church.

RUN BABY, RUN

Upon arrival, we settled into the pews near the back of what I now know was a segregated Catholic church. I was happily seated between he and my older cousins, feeling secure and loved. I still vividly remember my wonderment at observing my very gentle and elegant uncle carefully remove his fedora from his head and gingerly placing it next to him. I followed his example by removing my white lace head covering. My older cousins began to chuckle in amusement, as he quickly replaced it (at that time, it was

After being reseated and feeling scared, bewildered and having no idea why she had removed me, I immediately got up and ran to the back of the church screaming, “I want my uncle!” To this day, I can see the hauntingly silent and stoned look on my uncle’s face, as I crawled back to safety, sitting next to him.

When we finally reached the car after mass ended, my cousins humorously (protective coping mechanism) explained what had transpired: It was due to my racially mixed background and ambiguous appearance. Though this story eventually became a lighthearted legend within my family, I never once heard my uncle speak of it.

At the tender age of seven, and before I even learned the language

to name it, I had experienced the painful reality of racism. Though young when my story occurred, 60 years later I still recall it as if it happened yesterday.

RACISM, COLORISM AND HISTORY This early Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) encounter exposed and hurled me into the ugly sheets of racism, colorism and a history rooted in the vestiges of slavery in the Americas. I suspect that the silence I witnessed with my beloved uncle was a strong survival response, in reaction to behaviors frozen in the history and the iniquities of white supremacy, or what Ta Nehisi Coates describes as visceral experience, that dislodges brains, blocks airways, rips muscle, extracts organs, cracks bones, breaks teeth…

THE EFFECTS OF GENERATIONAL TRAUMA “Lost in Transmission: Studies of Trauma Across Generations,” a compilation of essays edited by M. Gerard Fromm, sums it up this way: “The effects in Africandescended communities, trauma is passed down like an inheritance. What human beings cannot contain of their experience — what has been traumatically overwhelming, unbearable, unthinkable — falls out of social discourse, but very often onto and into the next generation as an affective sensitivity or a chaotic urgency.”

According to psychiatrist Dekel Goldblatt, transgenerational trauma, or

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intergenerational trauma is a psychological term which asserts that trauma can be transferred between generations. This theory posits that after a first generation of survivors experience trauma, they can transfer the trauma to their children and further generations of offspring via complex post-traumatic stress disorder mechanisms. Some researchers refer to this as Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS).

The reaction to people in the African diaspora stems from violence that led to the traumatizing conditions perpetrated against black people during the transatlantic slave trade and inheritance of trauma from 400 years of enslavement that persists. It continues to pass down its effects, and the effects of new trauma, generation to generation and according to epigenetic researchers, can be passed on through our DNA.

INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA Accordingly, this passing of trauma can be rooted from the family unit itself, or found in society via current discrimination and oppression. The traumatic event does not need to be individually experienced by all members of a family — lasting effects can remain and impact descendants from external factors. For example, black children’s internalization of others’ reactions to their skin color manifests as a form of lasting trauma originally experienced by their ancestors.

“I witnessed the trauma of the generation before me,” says 114

Generations of the author’s family.

Yukon comedian, Sharon Shorty.

As I reflect upon my personal story and complex family legacy, rooted in the deep emotional woods of slavery and a history that includes slaves as ancestors and being the descendant of plantation owners, both through the legitimacy of marriage and forced sexual alliances. I hear the drumbeat of generations of my African ancestors existing through the brutality of bondage, rape, torture and the Code Noir Laws of my native Louisiana.

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When hearing our family legend of my runaway female slave ancestor, who is said to have run through alligator-infested swampland to get to safety and her freedom, speaking to the horrors of slavery within my own family also provided an inheritance and heritage of strength that’s carried on her shoulders through struggles that I have encountered to this day.

Considering the recent activities involving Amy Cooper and her reprehensible threats of

that carries with it the traumatic pain of decades of suffering and unresolved grief at the deepest level of my broken spirit. Like many black Americans, the trauma from these grotesque murders serve as a blatant reminder of generations of great violence that is too often perpetrated upon black and brown bodies.

A LASTING LEGACY

police involvement against Chris Cooper (no relation) in New York’s Central Park, coupled with the brutal killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Abery; I find myself once again faced with trying to make sense of this unspeakable pain and racialized trauma. The footage of George Floyd’s murder reopened too familiar wounds of racial injustice, racial profiling of my husband and sons, systemic and structural racism, white privilege and white supremacy

Whether described as multigenerational trauma, transgenerational trauma.

Intergenerational trauma (PTSS) or historical trauma, there is a growing body of literature that addresses the historical significance of the black experience in inheritance of the legacy of enslavement. It recognizes, what one our most famous Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and president, Barack Obama says is “the long history slavery and Jim Crow and redlining, institutionalized racism that has too often been the plague or the general sin of our society.

“It’s a flowing river of connection – an emotional collector of all of the pain from oppression,” says Bobbie L. Parish, CTRC-S, Executive Director of the International Association of Trauma.

Like me, many people in the African diaspora still viscerally hear the drumbeat stemming from the carried intergenerational trauma and complex family dynamics rooted in the dark legacy of slavery. The 2018 documentary “Unchained: Generational Trauma and Healing,” examines the lingering

trauma handed down from the American slavery system, men and women were interviewed about the steps they have taken to break the emotional chains passed down from their slave ancestors.

The ability to break these chains of intergenerational bondage requires the audacity and moral courage needed to tackle trauma rooted in historical, institutional and structural racism. Enhancing understanding on the impacts of the transfer of trauma between generations may lead to the healing of unresolved grief and the ability to discover useful posttraumatic survival strategies that lead to the development of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) and may potentially offer lasting resolution to minimize the negative aspects of past and future intergenerational transmission of ancestral trauma.

Real Healing and Freedom cannot happen unless we talk about it.

— Psychiatrist Michael Lyles

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LIFE MASTERY

Richard Silver

by Shanthi Yogini

YOGA-SCIENCE FOR

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LIFE MASTERY

What does it mean to take charge of your life?

To take complete charge of your life, take charge of your mind. You then can achieve life mastery.

To answer this, ask yourself a simple question – What is the driving force for all your activities? Why do you do all that you are doing in life?

Whether you buy a home or sell it, whether you join a job or leave it, whether you enter into a relationship or break it, or whether it is simply deciding where to go for dinner, what do you want as the end result from those activities?

You may use terms like satisfaction, feeling good, joy or peace; but let us call it happiness.

So, the driving force for everything you do in life is happiness.

Thus, taking charge of your life means taking charge of your happiness.

Yet, most of us don’t experience happiness ALL the time. Is it possible to have lasting happiness that always stays; that doesn’t merely come and go?

Yes, it is possible! Let us learn the art of being happy using the R.E.S.T. Method.

Through this method, you can experience rest for the rest of your life.

R.E.S.T. is an acronym that stands for: 1. ecognize 2. ducate 3. eek 4. rain

R E S T

Let us explore it a bit.

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LIFE MASTERY

Recognize the nature of your happiness

Happiness springs forth only when your heart is filled with peace. A restless mind can never experience happiness. Restlessness of the mind leads to suffering or hell. Quieting the mind leads to happiness or heaven.

So, life mastery means learning how to keep your mind calm, because, your mind is like a monkey. It can’t stay in one place. It wanders constantly. Whenever it goes off balance, one must know how to get it back to a peaceful state. The process to keep your mind calm, though simple, is not easy. Yet, this task has to become number one priority in your life.

Seek the right rource for education

Many people claim themselves to be Yoga-teachers and even have a certification to prove it. Yet, very few people understand what Yoga-Shaastram is and how to live a Yoga-wayof-life.

Only those that understand this science in depth can help you live a life of peace and fulfillment. Others can only instruct you in physical fitness. Therefore, it is very important to do diligent research and identify the right source for your further education and training.

How does one identify the right teacher?

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Educate yourself on Yoga-Shaastram

A science that makes it easy to keep your mind calm is called Yoga-science. In the ancient language of Samskrtam, it is called Yoga-Shaastram. The word Shaastram indicates Science. YogaH (Yoga) indicates a mental state.

It is a state of peace without any conflict to disturb it; a state of fulfillment and fullness.

YogaH is NOT fitness exercises as is misrepresented today. This fitness misappropriation reduces an exalted science to mere physical one.

Because YogaH is about peace and fulfillment, Yoga-Shaastram is a way of life and impacts all aspects of your life.

yourself in two-minute T rainYoga-Practices After educating yourself on YogaShaastram, and after identifying the right source for education, it is important to get trained in simple two-Minute practices.

You may wonder if it is possible to achieve the peaceful state of YogaH, in just two minutes. It is possible and very practical.

Whenever restlessness sets in, you can get your mind to a peaceful state if you have some mastery over your mind.

LIFE MASTERY

There are Eight steps of Yoga-training for mind mastery. Please don’t get overwhelmed looking at the Eight steps. While all of them influence your mind, you don’t have to master all of them.

You don’ have to master even one of them. It is sufficient to learn simple practices in each step-in a thorough and correct manner so that you can reap maximum benefits even in just two minutes.

1

The 8 steps:

Awareness Mastery

Awareness Mastery has three stages - Recognition, Repetition and Re-wiring. Recognize that everything in life is a story. Repeat empowering words. Re-wire your brain through the steps below. Awareness is increased by Yoga-practice.

2

Foundations Mastery

Understanding Yoga-Foundations is essential before beginning any practice.

You become a master by mastering the basics.

Every practice gives exponential results when you get the basics right. Foundation is the thread that links it all. Make time for it.

3

Thinking Mastery

It is thoughts that become action. Take a single value and go into its depths. It can transform your thinking, and bring happiness and success in your personal and work life.

4

Movement Mastery

For this, just master four or five simple twoMinute Yoga poses or Yoga Aasanam that influence your mind while benefiting the body.

5

Right Breathing for Life-Force Mastery

Master your life-force energy through your lung movement. Breath is an expression of your life-force.

Learning to breathe right cures many mental and physical illnesses.

6 7

Eating and Cooking Mastery

Don’t eat to just fill your stomach or fulfill your taste buds. Food impacts your mind and attitude.

Food is a means to master your life.

Sound Vibration Mastery

Sounds produced through words and chants impact your mind and body. Make sure that you pronounce any Samskrtam (Sanskrit) sounds right in order to avoid potential danger, or else stick to English words and chants.

8

Meditation Mastery

Use the above Yoga-steps as preparation for meditation to avoid frustration instilling the body and mind for some time. A little mastery here also improves Awareness Mastery.

Will you make a start in YogaShaastram (Yoga-Science) for your own happiness?

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10 10

DAYS OF THINGS

People of Color Need You To Do:

by Summer Nettles

DAY 1:

STOP SAYING YOU DON’T SEE COLOR

We know, Janet Jackson and En Vogue told you to be color blind in the 90s, but we’ve learned that assimilation requires homogeny. We don’t want to assimilate. People of Color want to be seen, heard and celebrated for who we are.

THANK YOU FOR DAY 3: ACKNOWLEDGING SYSTEMIC RACISM.

Please recognize YOU are: A: Part of the system, B: benefiting from it, and C: may have contributed to it via silence.

STOP SAYING, DAY 2: “I’M NOT RACIST. I HAVE

BLACK FRIENDS/ FAMILY.

Although friendships with people of color can be magical, they do not make racism disappear. Your “black” friends are probably tolerating your racism.

STOP MAXIMIZING DAY 4: OUR TRANSGRESSIONS WHILE MINIMIZING OUR

CONTRIBUTIONS & YOUR AGGRESSIONS. Looting and murder are NOT equivalent. (Also, the assumption that POC are the only folks looting is problematic).

YOUR KNEES OFF DAY 5: TAKE OUR NECKS. Kneel beside us in sincere solidarity. There is no room for bystanders or backstabbers.

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MAY DAY 6: THIS SEEM EASY, BUT IT’S HARD:

A: Label the feeling you get when you see/ hear racism.

B: Develop a plan for how you’re going to address it.

C: Do the plan.

NOTE: To end racism, stay ready to confront racism.

MAKING DAY 8: STOP BEING

COMPLICIT IN YOUR PERSONAL OR ORGANIZATIONAL RACISM A CONDITION OF MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT.

The image of racism that exists in the world is that of a white-hooded figure burning crosses in the night. The reality is far more insidious, a lot less obvious and often requires organizational agreement to sustain itself.

The stress caused by enduring this sort of “racism lite” is called weathering and its slowly killing African American women and our unborn babies every day in the workplace.

THAT DAY 10: ACCEPT YOU’RE NEVER DONE NOT BEING RACIST.

You’ll actually never be done NOT being any ist or ism. It’s like working out, if you stop, eventually, you’ll be out of shape. Sorry, there’s no certification, no degree and no Morgan Freeman to tell you you’re finished. You’ve got to police yourself!

Simply put, people who stay “woke” don’t sleep on their shortcomings.

DAY 7:

PREPARE FOR SOME UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS.

The anger you’re seeing is a reaction to the realization that white America exploited our common sense of decency to maintain the illusion of fairness.

All these years, people of Color have been apologists for your behavior. We discussed plainly, amongst ourselves, that the system is rigged, but white Americans are oblivious to our oppression (not because they’re bad, but because it’s not happening to them).

Amy Cooper’s conduct and George Floyd’s murder created the perfect storm. We could no longer argue that you didn’t know better. We have no choice now but to demand you do better.

It’s a tsunami of wokeness outchea. Going forward we will be as intolerant of your willful ignorance as you have been of our minor infractions.

DAY 9:

RETIRE THE RESPONSE, “I DON’T THINK I’M RACIST.”

If someone tells you you’re being racist you’ve likely done/said something repeatedly to warrant that comment. You’ve demonstrated a pattern of racist behavior.

NEWSFLASH: We don’t want you to be racist either!

It takes a LOT of courage to tell someone they’re being racist.

Don’t be discouraged by this conversation.

If someone trusts you enough to TELL you you’re being racist they probably believe you have the ability to change. They wouldn’t waste their time telling you otherwise. Don’t let them down!

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ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES THIRD CULTURE SUPPORT RESOURCES WEBSITES:

ON FACEBOOK:

• BratsWithoutBorders.com • CultursMag.com • CrossCulturalKid.org

ON INSTAGRAM: • Cultursmag • ExpatKid • TcKidNow

• BRATS: Our Journey Home • CultursMag • Third Culture Kids Everywhere This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.

RESOURCES FOR WHITE PARENTS TO RAISE ANTI-RACIST CHILDREN: • • •

Books: 31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance Podcasts: Fare of the Free Child podcast Articles: PBS’s Teaching Your Child About Black History Month

ARTICLES TO READ: • • •

“America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020) Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement (Mentoring a New Generation of Activists ”My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas | NYT Mag (June 22, 2011)

VIDEOS TO WATCH: •

•

Black Feminism & the Movement for Black Lives: Barbara Smith, Reina Gossett, Charlene Carruthers (50:48) “How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion” | Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools (18:26)

PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE TO: • • •

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1619 (New York Times) About Race Code Switch (NPR)

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BOOKS TO READ: • • •

Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

FILMS AND TV SERIES TO WATCH: • • •

13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Rental

ORGANIZATIONS TO FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA: • • •

Antiracism Center: Twitter Audre Lorde Project: Twitter | Insta | Facebook Black Women’s Blueprint: Twitter | Insta | Facebook

MORE ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT: • • •

75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice Anti-Racism Project Jenna Arnold’s resources (books and people to follow)

Hover your smartphone here or CultursMag.com/antiracism-resources for a full list of more than 100 resources

FEEL CONFIDENT IN YOUR

CROSS-CULTURAL OR INTERSECTIONAL IDENTITY GET LIFESTYLE CONTENT THAT CELEBRATES YOU At Culturs, we know that you want to be confident in your identity, and in order to do that, you need to interact with people who get you.

The problem is, others may try to tell you who THEY think you are — which makes you feel invisible.

WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO FIT SOME ELSE’S MOLD. Because our editors have lived it too. That’s why our award-winning magazine has attracted a community of more than one million cross-cultural and intersectional people like you.

Here’s how we do it: 1. Visit our website 2. Subscribe to get great content with you in mind 3. Feel the confidence of knowing your story matters

Visit Cultursmag.com today and grab a copy of our Top 10 reasons cross-cultural identity is the voice of the future.

So you can stop trying to fit someone else’s mold, and instead, be confident in your identity. www.CultursMag.com

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