2_step

Friday, September 18, 2009

2 quotes

"...in this Daily Beast world we live in, who can be sure? I'm sure about The Atlantic, however: For 152 years, the Atlantic has done the right thing -- long-form, narrative journalism that exposes sin and corruption and holds powerful people accountable and at the same time enlightens and, yes, even entertains. There is no doubt in my mind that the current leadership of The Atlantic will maintain the magazine's righteous course, even if newspapers like The Post lose their way."
Is The Washington Post Losing Itself? - Jeffrey Goldberg

"I'd hope that people who like what they see here, but wish I did more of XXXXX, would be inspired to do it themselves. Writing has never been more democratic than it is right now. If you're looking for a particular analysis of hip-hop, which you aren't seeing right now, grab the pad and go knock it out. Now's the time."
It's A Just A Dude With A Blog... - Ta-Nehisi Coates

if I wasn't so sleepy from eating the ginormous cheeseburger I ate at lunch, I'd write more --that's probably a lie-- but for now... The two quotes illustrate paper project ideas. While it sorta sounds like Jeffery is trying to convince himself that what he's saying is true, I think he's right about long form. Ta-Nahisi's said it: "Now's the time."

Saturday, September 12, 2009

new poem published at Intermix

new poem up at Intermix, a beautiful site about the "mixed-race experience." As many of you know, I'm half Persian, half Irish-American. I'm not sure how much my mixed heritage shaped me, but I guess I'm lucky to have two cultures to draw from.

The poem is part of a song I wrote while teaching English on an Ngobe Bugle indigenous reserve in Costa Rica back in 2003-04. If you've been to the Paducah Writers Group you've probably heard me recite it or play the song.

While we're on the topic, check out these 2 articles Can Identifying As Mixed-Race Boost Well Being? and Interracial means Other. The first is an Intermix article about a new Stanford study, the second is a recent essay by Christine Klocek-Lim, editor of Autumn Sky. Good stuff.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

some things are outside our control, others are not

a self-portrait haiku by Niaz William Khadem

Half Persian, I am
an American Baha'i
in the Holy Land.

Monday, September 7, 2009

opening: Ottoman Haifa Exhibition

Ottoman Haifa at the Haifa City Museum

so lucky. I'd totally forgotten about this opening last week. Some friends of mine and I were going to another exhibit when we realized this show was opening that same night. I still haven't made it to Haifa Art, but soon. Very soon.