Trustworthy Magazine
- “We have to acknowledge that change is necessary.”
Anna Malaika Tubbs Katie McCabe
A Well Traveled Pair takes us around the world
The Wellness Wardrobe Tips for easing stress & anxiety
JULY 2022
Trustworthy Magazine
Our Goal is to inspire & to be inspired. We know that everyone has a story; we want to know yours
Founder & Editor Amina Touray
Trustworthymagazine.com For comments, submissions & Inquiries please contact: info@trustworthymagazine.com
Trustworthy Magazine
On the cover: Anna Malaika Tubbs
Photographer: Amina Touray Page design: Moses Dalton
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Photo: Merry Zar
Trust
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Contents 8
Wellness Wardrobe
Darija Varnas from the Wellness Wardrobe
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Blue Lagoon Lemonade
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A Well Traveled Pair
Darija Varnas from the Wellness Wardrobe
Katie McCabe
24 Anna Malaika Tubbs - Cover Story, NYT Best Selling Author
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Fly To Ghana
Tristin Taylor & Sidney Nicole Rogers
Worlds Of Contrasts Tina Bergqvist
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Letter From The Editor Today we are celebrating four years since Trustworthy Magazine published its first
issue. The publication was something I had been postponing for many years, but one
day I finally decided just to put all the material I had gathered and release it. Ever since the first issue, we’ve had a line of people that jumped along with the wagon and wanted to join the journey. I want to thank Moses Dalton, who put together the layout
and design and often brainstormed ideas with me. I want to also give special thanks
to our writer Mia Nicole, who has written countless articles and interviews. To our Swedish - Australia-based writer Tina Bergqvist who has written many Australia and travel-related articles, and our health coach Darija Varnas, who runs the Wellness Wardrobe blog and consistently reminds us how to live healthier.
In this anniversary issue, we had the honor of chatting with New York Times Bestselling author, motivational speaker, and educator, Anna Malaika Tubbs about her international upbringing and celebrating differences. She is our July cover star!
We also talked to the woman behind the travel blog A Well Traveled Pair and asked
how we can become frequent travelers. Our Wellness Wardrobe coach shares how we can ease any stress and anxiety, and so much more! Enjoy this read, and happy four years! Amina Touray
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Photo: Heather Bozman
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Mental Health Check! The Wellness Wardrobe Written by Darija Varnas
For many, this year so far has had a major focus on growth, new beginnings and taking care of our mental health. Experiencing burn out and bouncing back into old or new routines can not only be stressful, but overwhelming too. Here are some of my favorite stress busting health tips to calm the jitters and improve our mental health needs!
About Me As a health coach, I am here to support and mentor others to feel their best through individualized food and lifestyle changes that meet their own unique needs and health goals. Just like building a clothing wardrobe, you must always start with some basic foundation essentials. I like to call this building your Wellness Wardrobe. I work with clients to help make lifestyle changes and choose health-promoting ways that result in making you feel great on the inside and out. You will develop a deeper understanding of food and lifestyle choices that work best for YOU, improving your energy, balance, health, and happiness!
Visit the wellness blog at: www.wellnesswardrobe.com
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TIPS FOR EASING STRESS AND ANXIETY 1. Move your body and get outside! Physical activity produces endorphins— chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers—(and also improves the ability to sleep!) which in turn reduces stress. TIP Take a brisk walk! Studies suggest that a 10 minute walk can be enough to restore calm and can help relieve stress and anxiety. Getting fresh air and some sunshine can reset your mood and recharge your day.
2. Self care Self-care is an important part of managing stress. A few simple strategies you may want to try are stretching, aroma therapy, taking baths, and transforming your bedroom into a space for rest and relaxation.
4. Follow a healthy diet Following a traditional diet high in fruits and veggies, quality protein sources and healthy fats, (while limiting processed foods) may decrease your risk of deficiencies and help lower the severity of stress! Some brain boosting foods include; chamomile tea, turmeric, dark chocolate, salmon, and fermented foods for gut health. TIP Let’s drink more tea! Turmeric teaIt is known for having many health benefits and often used as an alternative remedy to boost immunity and reduce anxiety.. It is also rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties to alleviate joint pain and can even help relieve indigestion! My favorite beverage to enjoy with breakfast or before bedtime to soothe the mood and relax the body!
TIP Aromatherapy with essential oils
5. Practicing mindfulness
5 drops of your favorite essential oil in the palm of hands, cup over mouth and inhale one or two deep breaths. (lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus scents work best!) Diffuse at bedtime for a restful night’s sleep.
Mindfulness practices such as self care and meditation may help reduce stress levels and improve mood. Meditating on a consistent basis, even for short periods, may help boost your mood and decrease symptoms of stress and anxiety. By learning to be more present, we allow ourselves to approach every day with more intention (and a little less anxiety!)
*(Be cautious of skin sensitivities if applying to skin) 3. Spend time with friends and family
TIP Favorite Meditation for beginners
Nurturing a strong relationship with family, friends, coworkers and partners is essential to our well-being. (It’s in our human nature to socialize!) Beyond just making us feel happier, it can encourage our personal growth, reduces stress and can lead to a longer, fulfilling life.
+Body Scan Meditation. Lie on your back with your legs extended and arms at your sides, palms facing up. Focus your attention slowly and deliberately on each part of your body. Think toe to head or head to toe. Be aware of any sensations, emotions or thoughts associated with each part of your body. And don’t forget to BREATHE.
TIP Put it in your calendar! Keeping to a schedule with zoom calls, online trivia date nights, hiking days or phone call appointments are some easy ways to keep your social life in check and incorporate it into your weekly routine.
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By Darija Varnas from the Wellness Wardrobe
hat screams Summer more than a beautiful, cold, hydrating and refreshing lemonade? Let’s make this fun and EASY spin on a traditional favorite, but make it BLUE! The key to the color is this secret ingredient that is one of the most nutrient- dense foods on earth…
Photo: Suomi Photography
Blue Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in both salt and freshwater. It contains powerful plant based protein, is high in vitamin b12, aids in digestion, boosts the immune system and even has anti-inflammatory and brain protective properties. Let’s not forget to mention that it can also boost your energy and mood! This type of spirulina generally has no taste, so adding this to smoothies, bowls, chia puddings or anything that could use a little added health benefit while making your dish a super gorgeous bright and vibrant blue color which makes it the most visually pleasing ingredient.
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Blue Lagoon
Lemonade
Blue Lagoon Lemonade PS. The entire recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make and will keep you happy and hydrated all season :) • • • •
Ingredients 2 cups filtered water or coconut water 1/2 lemon juiced 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp ORGANIC blue spirulgali
Directions Add ingredients to a blender or jar to shake and mix very well together Add more lemon or honey to taste Pour over ice Enjoy!
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Photo: Adi Perets
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A Well Traveled Pair Katie McCabe
“Time is our most precious commodity. Money will always come back. Book the ticket!”
Interview and photography by Amina Touray
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e had the pleasure of chatting with writer, photographer, and world traveler Katie McCabe, who runs the blog and social media account A Well Traveled Pair with her husband, John. After 70+ countries, Katie shares the wisdom she carries from her travels and tips on combining work with traveling and becoming a frequent traveler. So fasten your seat belts and follow us around the world! How did you and John initially meet? John and I met in 2015. I worked in his neighborhood, and we would occasionally see one another in passing, but we never really spoke. One day, we struck up a conversation and I learned that he was newly single, like myself, and that we both loved traveling. There was an instant connection between the two of us, and I couldn’t believe that we had so much in
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common. We went out on our first date two days later, and the next month I surprised him with a trip to Paris and London for his birthday. We’ve been inseparable ever since. What is the usual planning process when you plan for your travels? Most of our trips are planned at least six to twelve weeks in advance in order to get reasonable pricing on airfare and lodging. However, there’s nothing I love more than a great last-minute deal. Spontaneous travel is so much fun, and if it’s affordable, what’s better than that! How are you able to combine traveling with your work? Combining travel and work is something that took some practice. Since John usually travels with me, I don’t want to spend the whole day working
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and not enjoying our time together. So, what we usually do is this - I work in the morning and then we have the rest of the day to explore, or we add a few extra days onto the end of the trip and we spend those days doing whatever we’d like. It works out well. I’m sure a lot of people, including myself wonder how you’re able to afford traveling as much as you do. You’ve mentioned that you’ve cut out on materialistic things and rather spend money on experiences. Has cutting things out of your life been enough to save money? And what are some things that you’ve cut out that you thought you needed but actually didn’t need? This is probably the question I get asked most. Of course, we all have different financial situations, but for me personally, I found it quite easy to eliminate a lot of material items from my life. I stopped leasing a new luxury vehicle every three years, buying clothes and shoes that I didn’t need, dining out for almost every meal, and just frivolously spending money where I didn’t need to. Travel opened my eyes to so many things, one being the importance of experiences over things. Once I let go of my attachment to material items, I was much happier. And with all that extra money, I was able to travel more. My advice for anyone wanting to do the same: Look at what you’re spending money on. Think about what you can eliminate. If you really want to travel, then you have to make it a priority. If you’re constantly dining out or buying clothes, shoes, electronics, etc, then those things are your priority, not travel. How many times in a year do you travel? We try to take at least four trips a year, but every year is different. One year, we visited twenty different countries in ten months. It was amazing!
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What inspired you to start your blog A Well Traveled Pair, and whose idea was it originally? When John and I began traveling together, I started A Well Traveled Pair to keep friends and family updated along with our adventures. It was purely a fun hobby for me, then it turned into a job. Now my main goal is to use it to inspire as many people as possible to get out and see the world because I know it will change their life. Can you make a financial profit from your travels, for example through spon-
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Photos by Katie McCabe
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sorship? Sure. There are so many different ways to make money while traveling - writing for different publications, selling photographs, promoting hotels and airlines on social media. Just use your skills and get creative. Do you have any advice for anyone or any couple that would like to travel as much as you do on how to get started planning-wise, work-wise, etc? Keep an eye out for travel deals (websites like Skyscanner and Travelzoo are great), read blogs about places you want to visit, and don’t make too many excuses about why you shouldn’t go. I see so many people not booking their dream vacations because of fear. Time is our most precious commodity. Money will always come back. Book the ticket! What are the biggest lessons that you have learned from all
of your travels? I’ve learned a great deal of invaluable lessons from traveling. Probably the three most important ones are that we all need to take care of the planet, money and material items will not bring you happiness, and everyone around the world all wants the same three things - love, health, and happiness - so let’s treat each other well. What country has left the biggest impact on you? Switzerland definitely made a huge impact on me. It showed me that a simple life is a good life. We really don’t need much to be happy, and I realized that after ten days surrounded by the most beautiful nature in the world.
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Is there a special country that changed your life? Egypt reminded me how very small we are in this grand Universe, and also what a tiny amount of time we have on this planet. After that trip I really wanted to live life to the fullest. What country was not what you expected? Turkey really knocked my socks off. I loved the architecture and culture in Istanbul, and Cappadocia was absolutely breathtaking. What country has the best food? I love Japanese food, so Japan is an obvious choice for me, but I also think France, Thailand, and Italy have some of the best food in the world. What country has the best adventures? New Zealand, hands down! From bungy jumping and white water rafting to skydiving and glacier heli-hiking, this country was built for adventure. The bungy jump was even invented here in the 1980’s, helping the city of Queenstown get its nickname ‘The Adventure Capital of the World.’ What country has the best beaches? There are so many beautiful beach destinations that I couldn’t possibly pick only one. Instead, I’m going to give you my five favorites - The Whitsundays, Hawaii, French Polynesia, The Bahamas, and Thailand. What country have you experienced to be the most spiritual? Hiking Machu Picchu in Peru was an incredibly spiritual experience for me. Sometimes when it’s just you and Mother Earth, there’s nothing else to do but dive deep within. India and Bali are also great destinations for people looking for a spiritual experience.
For more information, visit www.awelltraveledpair.com Follow Katie & John on Instagram at @awelltraveledpair 20
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Photo: Vitalina
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Anna Malaika Tubbs Vol 14
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Interview & Photography by Amina Touray
nna Malaika Tubbs holds many impressive titles, such as NYT Best Selling author of The Three Mothers, educator, scholar, motivational speaker, advocate for women and children’s rights, mother, wife, and the list continues to grow. With an international upbringing in places like Sweden, Dubai, and Mexico, she learned early that there is value and room for growth in uncomfortable situations, and also to celebrate differences. We had the honor to chat and learn more in depth about the influences and life lessons that’s been part of Tubbs’s inner journey and development.
Amina Touray: You have a very international upbringing. Can you share a little about yourself, where you’re from, and where you grew up? Anna Malaika Tubbs: I always like to start with my parents and their story. My mom was born in Clarkston, Washington and she wanted to be a lawyer because her dad was a judge. But at the time he told her that women don’t become lawyers, that’s not what they’re supposed to do, and that she should be focused on becoming a wife and a mother. But my mom couldn’t accept that. So she put herself through law school and then had this dream of traveling the world, so she started this journey. My dad was born in Ghana. He left Ghana in the midst of some dangerous politics. He wanted to see what the world could offer him as well. So he went to Sweden, and my parents met there. They fell in love in Sweden, they had my brother in Sweden, and they wanted to continue this dream of traveling the world with their kids. Allowing us to see the world first hand. We lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico where I was born. Then we left the U.S and went to Dubai for several years. We
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were in Estonia, Sweden, Azerbaijan, and Mexico, and came back to The States when I was a teenager. We lived in Laramie, Wyoming, then I went to boarding school in Indiana when my parents went abroad again, and I went back and forth visiting them in places like Kuwait and Ghana. Then I went to undergrad in California, and I did my graduate degree in England at the University of Cambridge. AT: Wow that’s amazing! All these places must have shaped you into the woman you are today. What have been some of the most impactful moments in your life that have shaped your views and values? AMT: There’s a lot (laughs)! Here’s one very specific story; My parents wanted my brother, and I to attend local schools as much as possible where we lived. So when we moved to Mexico they put us in an all Spanish speaking school, but we didn’t speak a word of Spanish. So I was scared and was like -” mom why’d you do that?”, and she responded ”...you’re going to eventually learn to speak the language. This is just a situation that
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“It’s important for my kids and partner to recognize my leadership”
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may seem scary, but you have everything you need to do well.” And as annoying as it was, my mom, did this all the time to remind us of what we were capable of. And it’s true - within a couple of months we were speaking Spanish fluently, we picked up all these incredible life skills, and learned to feel confident that even when things feel really scary, I have what I need inside of me to do well and be okay, and I will learn something from it, and to be okay with that discomfort and believe in myself and be brave and creative. I was only eight years old when we moved to Mexico.
important truth. And I really expected at the very least in Atlanta at the house, that they would have told the story that I knew from my own research. So I was even more shocked. It wasn’t like it was a distance away from Atlanta, it was at her very home where she was still being erased.
AT: I love how she pushed you! They say you should do one thing every day that scares you, that’s how you really grow. I originally found you through your Ted Talk speech when you talked about the importance of mothers. I remember you said during your talk that you had visited Martin Luther King’s birthplace in Atlanta, and you left feeling frustrated after that. Can you explain why you were left feeling that way?
AT: Why do you think that is, what is the reason behind that?
AMT: Yes, absolutely! I was in the middle of doing research for my Ph.D. dissertation that was also to become the book that I wrote. Part of the research was visiting places where the women who I was writing about lived, and of course, Alberta King - being Martin Luther King’s mother, I went to Atlanta. He was born in this house that everybody else had talked about, how amazing it was. And the tour guide was talking about it only from the perspective of MLK Jr, and if he added anybody else into the story, he added MLK Sr - MLK Jr’s father. But from my research, I knew that this was actually Alberta’s house first. This is where her parents had raised her, this is her childhood home, this is where when she got married, her husband moved in with her. This was the house where she had given birth to her children! So I was really angered that no one seemed to know this
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AT: That’s crazy that it wasn’t even mentioned! AMT: And that happens all the time to women, and women of color, and mothers very specifically, we just don’t get mentioned.
AMT: This is actually what my next book is all about because I’ve been asked this many times “Why” and how this has happened. My Ph.D. is in sociology, and my Master’s is in gender studies, so I’m going to get a little academic here: but it’s really the system of patriarchy, and the way it intersects with other things like racism, for instance, which make it so that the further you are from being a white cis-gender male, the less we value your contribution, the less we value your life, and certainly, once you’re no longer on this earth, the less we take care of your story, the less we keep your narrative alive. And these women being erased, Alberta being erased, is just one symptom of a larger system operating the way it was built to operate and it comes in law, it comes in policies, it comes in so many different ways. That is what really causes it. And mothering is really in a lot of ways kind of the ultimate symbol of womanhood, even if not all women choose to become mothers, and it should be our choice whether or not we’re going to become mothers. But when we’re thinking about things such as feminine qualities or historically what people associate with being feminine, motherhood comes up. So it’s the symbol of the woman and what we reject or what we try to suppress, and what
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the system tries to control and so it plays out even more with moms, and that erasure becomes even more of a problem. AT: How do you think this can be changed? AMT: I think there are a lot of levels of change. 1. We have to acknowledge that change is necessary. It’s not only frustrating when a mother is erased, but it actually is quite problematic and also potentially dangerous. For instance, the fact that we don’t know, and we haven’t said in history, up until my book, that Alberta Williams King is the reason that MLK Jr was able to inherit this church, that she’s the most educated in her family, and this is how her children become more educated, this is how her husband becomes more educated. It not only does a dis30
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service to her, but it actually perpetuates this notion that men are self-made, they don’t need to support women and they certainly don’t need to thank women. And it also is a national issue where we are not supporting these goals with policy, so we still don’t have universal childcare or parental leave in The U.S, because we don’t really care that much about people that are in charge of children, we don’t have universal health care like a lot of other countries do. So all of that really stems from this lack of appreciation and the lack of attention being paid to mothering roles and mothers’ work. AT: What inspired you to write the book, and why specifically the mothers of these in particular three men? (MLK Jr, Malcolm X & James Baldwin ) AMT: I loved the book Hidden Figures written by Margot Lee Shetterly, which went on to become the famous movie about the black women who were the scientists and the mathematicians behind NASA. And I said that I’m going to be somebody that finds other “hidden figures”. I knew it was going to be something around black women that we should have known all along and I was taking inspiration from my mom, as she always told me to focus on women, focus on their role, focus on how different societies treat women, what you’ve seen in your life and what I’ve shown you through my own work, she would say. So I said something around motherhood would be really fascinating and then I decided that I wanted this to be my first book. I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer, write my books, and get paid to speak about them (laughs). I needed this to also be something that audiences everywhere can connect to, and that the most people possible would know these women’s names. So I said MLK Jr, Malcolm X - people are never tired of talking about these huge figures in history, but there’s a perspective that we haven’t heard before which is who are the women, not behind them, but the women before them. So I started to do a little bit of research on those two first and I was really blown away by what I could find about Alberta - MLK Jr’s mother, Louise - Malcolm X’s mother, and then I thought I don’t want them to be placed on opposite sides of each other, so I want to bring in a third to complicate that narrative, so I brought in James Baldwin, and the final thing is I discovered all three of them - the moms, were
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There’s a perspective that we haven’t heard before which is who are the women, not behind them, but the women before them.” born within six years of each other, and their famous sons were born within five years of each other. So I could bring them together in time and tell this really cool inner-woven story without reducing the complexity of each of their individual narratives. AT: What has being a mother taught you? AMT: It’s really interesting because I was writing this book before I became a mom. While I was writing it, you’ll see it in the introduction chapter, I was expecting my first born, so my relationship with motherhood is inextricable from my writing of this book, and all the research I was doing not only for this book but for my dissertation on black motherhood. So I can’t even separate one from the other. The book and my becoming a mother have taught me the power and the influence of motherhood. I’m a very confident mother - as a result, mothering has taught me that it’s not only about me being there for everybody else and being behind everybody else. There’s this narrative type of mom that is supposed to be in the background, moms are supposed to be selfless. And through my research through the book, and from what I’ve seen in my own mothering is actually that I’m doing so much more with the influence that I have, and my passion and talents are translating into my motherhood. It’s important for my kids and partner to recognize my leadership. I shouldn’t be in the background, I should share my strategies, especially for having black children - they need to know what I have done to make a difference in this world, and I hope that they can do it as well. So it’s kind of this overlap that my motherhood has taught me so much that went into my work around motherhood, but my research also taught me how to be a mother. A lot of people thought I was already a mom before I wrote this and I always have to tell people that is not the case. I thought it was important to highlight moms before I was considering being one, and I think more people need to care, whether they are mothers or not because what happens to mothers affects all of us. AT: What are you currently working on, any new books or
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“We have to acknowledge that change is necessary.”
projects? AMT: I just finished the draft of my first novel. There’s kind of two storylines - one is a young woman who’s losing her life in the development of an abusive relationship, and the other is a young boy whose world is dictated by misinformation. And the reader is trying to figure out how the two stories intersect with each other because I’m telling them simultaneously. And it doesn’t become clear until the end how they relate to each other. So that’s my novel, and then I’m working on the next non-fiction which is all about the system of patriarchy and dismantling that, and then I have a deal for another non-fiction but I don’t know what it’s going to be yet, and two children’s books as well that I’m pitching right now, and then finally translating all of those things into projects for screen. I have a wonderful team at WME that represents me for talent. So it’s really exciting, it’s like very much the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next few years! AT: I’m super excited for you! Is there anything else that you want to share with the world? AMT: Because I travel so much and because of what I’ve studied, I realize that so many people feel very uncomfortable with differences and that I think is quite dangerous. So I don’t only want people to accept difference, I want us to celebrate it as much as possible, not only in our own personal life but on our teams at work, and in society at large. Celebrating differences is the way forward and understanding that we are stronger the more different we are. So my final thought is that I hope that people become more comfortable and excited about celebrating differences. Find more information about Anna Malaika Tubbs at www.annamalaikatubbs.com
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Photo: Wendy Wei
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Traveling to Ghana
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Tristin + Sidney W
Interview & Photography By Amina Touray
e sat down with Los Angeles-based couple Tristin Taylor and Sidney Nicole Rogers to talk about their first trip together to Ghana and how their experience was living locally, visiting historical sightings, and learning how to make Fufu.
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It was empowering to be in a place that embodies such a rich bloodline that consists of history, royalty, and pride!”
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Tell us about yourselves as a couple? Sidney Nicole Rogers: We initially met around five years ago at a pre-Oscars event but didn’t start dating until 2021. Overall, we’ve been together as boyfriend/girlfriend for almost a year. Tristin Taylor: Together, we are extremely playful SNR: We laugh A LOT! TT: And I’d say we’re adventurous, push one another within our careers, and stretch each other out of our comfort zones. You recently traveled to Ghana. Do you have family or friends there, or what drew you to that part of Africa? SNR: It was all Tristin’s idea! TT: I have several friends in Ghana. My good friend, Daja (a friend from high school), and Kwame; Daja’s husband, welcomed us with open arms. They treated us like family and gave us a local experience as opposed to a tourist one. They made us feel so at home and at peace with being in a new country that we’ve never experienced before. SNR: When Tristin initially presented the Ghana trip to me, I was immediately like, - “yes, when?!” I’m always open to traveling and truly engulfing myself in the culture. So it was nice knowing Tristin had familiar people in Ghana. Daja and Kwame went above and beyond my expectations to show us how incredible Ghana is. I’m grateful for them; they are the definition of friendship. as if everything washed away. Peace and What did it feel like when you touched excitement rushed over me, and - “we’re down in Ghana? here” kept playing on repeat in my head. As far as Africa is concerned, Tristin’s been TT: I was overwhelmed by the out- to Egypt and Johannesburg, and I’ve been pour of love we received as soon as to Morocco; however, Ghana has a comwe landed. We were greeted by Daja pletely different atmosphere. You feel God and Kwame with an international sim there. card, hugs, water, food, and a driver. Everything was so genuine and made What sightings did you see? me tear up because that is exactly how humans should look out for each SNR: We packed in a lot while on our trip! other and these acts of service should Some of the places included the Makola not be overlooked. Market, Cape Coast Castle, Aburi botanical gardens, Kwame Nkrumah memorial park, SNR: Other than being exhausted by Kakum canopy walk, Labadi beach, and the long commute and the Covid pro- the Black Stargate. We even took a cooktocols, once I took my first step out of ing class and made soup and fufu from the Kotoka International Airport, it was scratch with @ghanapeople.
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What was it like to travel there as an African American? TT: It was empowering to be in a place that embodies such a rich bloodline that consists of history, royalty, and pride! To know that somewhere within my family’s bloodline lies 100 percent African heritage moves me tremendously. I am an advocate of bridging the gap between Africa and Black Americans, dismantling this stigma that African Americans, or Black Americans, tend to only want to travel to Africa to glamourize the culture and exploit the native people of Africa. However, this is not the case for many of us Black Americans. We understand that Africa has real issues and hardships that need to be addressed, but we also should not hide being inspired and empowered by traveling to Africa. Being in Africa stressed the importance of being aware and respectful of Africa’s issues and structure, all while accepting what Africa has to offer. Both ideologies can coexist! SNR: I saw where there was a slight “divide” between us and some of the Ghanaian people I encountered. As Tristin mentioned above, whether it was an initial assumption of my finances or potentially wondering if I was “one of those Americans” who are exploitative. But, after we shared a smile, joke, or conversation, all of the preconceived notions went out the window. We regarded ourselves as brother and sister - people who are connected. Yes, we saw cultural differences; however, I recognized just as many similarities for as many differences. I, personally, felt very comfortable there. What was the highlight of the trip? SNR: There are so many! Touring the Cape Coast Castle was something I didn’t know I needed. I’m tearing up reminiscing about it. We took a mini road trip to get to Cape Coast, and the moment we stepped out of the car, we were met with the words, “welcome home!” Welcome home - Two words I never thought about. Being from Virginia, I grew up touring slave plantations’ museums and seeing slave burial grounds. To know where the mass majority of slaves were directly taken from, shattered but grounded me. When our tour guide listed where the Cape Coast slaves were taken, Virginia was the first place he uttered. I silently
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nodded to myself and, again, “welcome home” rang in my ears. Walking through the dungeons, learning details I wasn’t taught in school, and seeing the direct path between Ghana and Virginia - that I will forever cherish. TT: The biggest highlight is when we went to Makola Market and a 15 year old boy asked us to buy his paintings. His artwork was breathtaking, and he was so passionate and committed to telling us about his creative process. It was like me witnessing Jean - Michel Basquiat before my eyes. This kid could take the world by storm if only he had the opportunities I had in America. Realizing that difference made me emotional
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because this kid really has what it takes, but due to circumstances and opportunity, he has difficulty reaching a larger audience. I also realized during our conversation that if you do what you love, you will never have to “work” a day in your life. This kid was doing what he loved, which gave him peace, and peace alone is all that matters in the end. They say that you change when you travel to Africa. Do you agree? How has the trip changed you or impacted your life? TT: Everything is spiritual in Ghana. Absolutely everything is viewed, examined, and executed through a spiritual lens. It was so empowering to witness, and it correlated perfectly to the saying; “we are spiritual beings first before we are ever human.” For example, my view of showing love increased heavily. I am already an extremely loving person, but it made me want to give more and become more present when interacting with other people. The way we were treated in Ghana was out of this world. We felt respected, seen, appreciated, and unplugged. Those values are often taken for granted in America, which leads to crimes, suicides, and division. However, trips like this can shift that narrative. SNR: I agree with Tristin. I live by “everything is spiritual,” and it was beautiful to witness that at large. Tristin’s recounting of the love we experienced while in Ghana also resonated with me, and I’ve become introspective on how I can better show up for the people in my life. So, where are you going next? SNR: We were hoping to travel to Thailand for my birthday in August… TT: but that’s tsunami season. SNR: And it’ll be just our luck that we’d be trapped, haha. So, instead, we’re toying with Greece, Cape Town, and/or Ghana again! We’ve been talking a lot about Jamaica lately as well, so potentially, that’s in the cards. TT: I’m mainly leaning towards Jamaica, Cape Town, and Ghana. SNR: Only time will tell, but I’m excited already wherever we go!
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Photo: Jannis Knorr
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Two Worlds Of Contrasts Australia vs Sweden
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Written by Tina Bergqvist
hen you move to a new place, you tend to see things with fresh eyes. You might compare it to what it was like where you lived before, and maybe even be amazed about how different things and people are in the new place. After a while, you get used to your surroundings. The customs and way of things are not as fresh or different anymore. You have adjusted to your new way of life without even thinking about it. The things that amazed or surprised you before have become what you are used to now. You might even take some things for granted without having the intention to do so. Then one day, you might return to where you used to live. Don’t be surprised if you experience a reverse culture shock. It is prevalent, especially if you have been studying or living abroad for a while and then returns to your home country. Things back home might have changed, just like you have. And now, you can see the place that was once your home with new eyes and a new perspective. That happened to me - I studied in Australia for three years and moved back to Sweden for a while. I had gotten so used to the Aussie customs and way of life, which in many ways is very different from the Swedish lifestyle. Australia Vs Sweden In Australia, you hail the bus when you want it to stop to pick you up from the bus stop. It is common to say “thank you” or wave to the bus driver when you get off. I almost did the same thing in Sweden last time I was there, and I couldn’t help but giggle. I am sure the bus driver would have appreciated a “thank you,” but everyone else might have thought I had lost my mind since that isn’t a common thing to say in Sweden. Or maybe not? Maybe I should try it next time I go there.
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I am going back to Sweden for the first time in a long time by the end of the summer, and I am sure I will be surprised to see everything that has changed since I was there last.”
A common thing in Australia is that the checkout person at supermarkets is usually very chatty. They ask about your day and if you have any plans. I love it! Even though it is just small talk, it makes me feel seen and appreciated somehow. In Sweden, I would be happy if the checkout person said more than “hello” and the price of whatever you buy. Random people can also call you “love” at the supermarket Down Under. That would simply never happen in Sweden. Australians are very private, and you usually can’t see into your neighbor’s garden or home. However, when living in Sweden, I have seen neighbors walking around pretty much naked since we usually don’t cover up the windows with big curtains as in Australia. Australians are a lot more polite. If I would accidentally walk into someone, they would apologize. In Sweden, getting others’ elbows in your side is common without anyone saying “sorry.” In Australia, you always have to turn your shoes upside down and shake them before putting them on – who knows, there might be a spider hiding there! That would not be something I would worry about ever in Sweden. I have been stuck in Australia for the last few years because of travel restrictions. I am going back to Sweden for the first time in a long time by the end of the summer, and I am sure I will be surprised to see everything that has changed since I was there last. However, it will also make me see my old home city with new eyes – almost like I see it for the first time. So, this summer, I will play a favorite game: being a tourist in my city and pretend everything is new to me. I am sure I’ll see things from a new perspective! Why don’t you join, even if you’re staying in the same town you live?
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Photo: Mark TarynNeil Elliott Photo:
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