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The Rise of Diversity Incubators
As I have grown older, and moved away from home, I have found comfort in organizations that connect me to different parts of my identity. I can’t count on my fingers how many South Asian, Asian-American, or Women-led Instagram accounts I follow. While we enjoy a streamline of their graphics, I can’t help but ask how long these “diversity incubators” have been around. What tangible steps do they take to help the communities?
Halloween: Gimmick or Festivity?
Halloween's coming soon! With it falling on the same day as Diwali this year, there have been many thoughts on how to balance the celebration of these holidays for those that ordinarily take part in both. Obviously Diwali carries cultural weight and significance, while Halloween is often seen as another purely commercial celebration, not even a holiday!
South Asian Culture & Modern-Day Wellness Practices
Wellness practices, such as yoga, chakra healing, meditation, and more, have been growing in popularity across the world. As mental health becomes more of a priority amongst younger individuals, so do wellness practices and staying fit. Practices like yoga, chakra healing, and other widespread wellness practices originated in South Asia and actually have spiritual and deep cultural significance.
Why Kamala Harris’ Skincare Matters
We’re almost a week away from the U.S. Presidential election and our new candidate Kamala Harris brings a new take to campaign strategy. When Joe Biden dropped from the Democractic Party, her team took the country by a storm.
Self-Taught Artists: The Push Against The Commodification of Art
We live in an era where information is so easily accessible. If we want to learn how to do something, all we have to do is search up how to do it. What does this mean for the way we value art in modern society? Could the ease of access be contributing to viewing art increasingly as a commodity?
What You Missed At The New York Film Festival And How It Reflects Our World Right Now
This long weekend, The New York Film Festival wrapped its 62nd season after a two-week stretch of screenings and guest speakers. Films and filmmakers traveled from all over, but not without trials and tribulations to do so.
Am I Becoming My Indian Parents? The Evergreen Topic of Inflation and the Role it Plays in South Asian Socialization
As a first generation South Asian immigrant, it wasn’t uncommon for us to hear our parents frequently discuss finances. Whether it was with friends, family, or directed directly at the television news, it was a common topic in Indian households across the board.
We Need More Third Spaces
We tend to view mental health as an internal issue - feeling our feelings, learning to regulate, to communicate and ask for help. These are all improvements we can make from the inside out, but, what more can we be doing as a society to help facilitate better mental health?
Who's Our Next South Asian Barbie?
It has been the year of the women, specifically female musicians who have gone from a sudden rise to breaking records.
Tradition, Heritage and the Building of "A New Life" in Pixar's Elementals
Elementals deserves so much more recognition that what is given. It is a beautiful film with an amazing concept and one of the most grounded depictions of a first generation immigrant family in a children's animated film. It is such a shame that such a large amount of people ignore children's media - they're really missing out.
Memes: Why We Should Be Paying Serious Attention to Internet Culture
Why do memes go viral and what are the implications of memes being linked to a virus? Why should we care about internet culture and slang? The word meme has taken on a new meaning within the last couple of decades - really since the creation of the world wide web. We now associate the word meme to mean something silly. A repeated formula that is recognisable and often used to make us laugh. But they are actually far more serious than that.
Handprints on a Wall: Leaving No Room for AI in Art.
Humans love art. We have an innate desire to create, to build, to leave a mark. With AI, creating art has never been easier. But is easy access to art really a good thing, or simply a function of a culture that values productivity, fastness, and output?
Bridgerton: A Case Study into Distasteful Genre Mixing and Colorblind Casting
Yerin Ha’s recent casting as Bridgertons Sophie Beckett has refueled the discourse surrounding the representation of people of color in media, and specifically colorblind casting. The absolute fan pressure to cast someone of East Asian descent as a love interest suggests that colorblind casting in Bridgerton is a farce, and is actually very intentional.
India sets its Sights on the Olympics
India’s recent bid to host the Olympics has been met with a mix of excitement and skepticism. On the one hand, it’s thrilling to imagine the country becoming the center of global sports, showcasing its rich culture and passion for various games. On the other hand, there’s a lingering question: Is India really ready to host such a massive event when it has a history of only fully supporting athletes after they’ve won medals?
IPL Beats the Olympics?
The BCCI’s push for cricket in the 2028 Olympics has brought up some interesting questions, including where the matches will actually be held.
Breaking at the Olympics
Influenced by everything from African dance to martial arts, breaking became a global phenomenon in the ‘80s, with its infectious energy and mind-blowing moves spreading like wildfire.
But here’s the thing: breaking at the Olympics in 2024? It was a weird mix of impressive and, well, kind of sanitized.
Work/Life Balance Around the World
Work-life balance is a concept that transcends borders, with each culture offering unique perspectives and practices to achieve it. Here’s a look at how various cultures around the world are known for their approaches to balancing work and life.
Tech Capitals: Bangalore vs Silicon Valley
The tech ecosystems of Bangalore (Bengaluru) and Silicon Valley are two of the most renowned in the world. While they share some similarities, each has its unique characteristics and advantages.
National Wellness Month
August is National Wellness Month, a time dedicated to prioritizing self-care, managing stress, and adopting healthy routines. This month is a great opportunity to reflect on our habits and make positive changes. Here are some personal insights and things we've used that have helped us on this wellness journey.
The Effects of Mental Health Conversations Amongst Celebrities
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of celebrities opening up about their mental health struggles. This movement, seen among both South Asian and American celebrities, has sparked widespread conversations and brought mental health issues into the spotlight.