Pro-Saudi government demonstrators drowned out a vigil held for Jamal Khashoggi outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in London on the one-year anniversary of the journalist’s assassination. As a handful of activists held candles and photos of Khashoggi, pro-government demonstrators across the street chanted support for the crowned prince Mohamad Bin Salman over a microphone. “I…
Detroit bead museum tells African stories
The MBAD African Bead Museum offers insight into social class, spirituality and history Growing up, I seldom saw my grandmother without a strand of prayer beads in her hands. I remember her thumbing the small orbs during breaks from her chores and blowing prayers in my direction. Visiting the MBAD African Bead Museum in Detroit brought back these…
From London, Ontario to London, Eng(land of the colonizers)
Let’s do a quick catch up because I’ve been slacking with personal updates: Summer in Toronto was amazing! Found some places to dance bachata, made time for new friendships while catching up with old ones, and soaked in all the sun I could. I completed my internship at the coolest magazine, sold my award-winning and…
Queer comedians of colour bring all the laughs in Ottawa
Have you ever been sitting there, casually getting in your daily upper-body exercise by swiping left on 50 men in a row on Tinder, and all of a sudden, the white guy you matched with three weeks ago messages you: “What’s up, my caramel mocha princess?” No? Just me? Cool… As a woman of colour,…
Welcoming Ramadan by reflecting on some of my favourite places of worship
Perhaps what gravitates me most towards faith is that it offers a sense of community. Exploring places of worship while traveling is one of the most intimate venues to get to know communities and cultures. Yes, this piece stems from the spirit of Ramadan, but it’s also a therapeutic vehicle to reflect on a more…
Going to grad school as a broke ass bitch
It was always clear to me and my sisters that our parents didn’t exactly have a “tuition” plan for their three kids. With that in mind, I started working in high school to prepare to save for a post-secondary loan I hadn’t applied for yet. That’s nothing new, though. Most people in my circle did…
Third Culture Kid: ‘A Regular Way of Life’ that Extends to More than Elite, Expat Kids
The longest and saddest goodbyes for me often took place over summer breaks. It was a time where my friends and I usually went “back home” to see our families. As an immigrant from a country 14 hours and a couple grand away, we could only afford it once every few years. This situation is…
Hitchhiking in the Canadian Rocky Mountains – as a 5’2”, Female
There are a handful of things we don’t confess to our mothers: like getting piercings in sketchy neighborhoods in Rio from artists who don’t speak English or crossing into countries illegally. Crowning the list of adventures that would provoke parents to fly across the globe and drag you back home from your backpack straps is hitchhiking. There…
The Best and Worst of Travel in 2018
With a full-time job in the first chunk of the year and grad school for the last bit of it, traveling in 2018 seemed grim. But the universe is a magical system and somehow always finds a way to align you with your goals if want them bad enough. This year I managed to take…
Harassment and Discrimination in the Clouds: My Interview with Flight Attendant Amneet Banga
Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on – that’s not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when we picture a flight attendant. But I’d caught Amneet on her day off in her hotel suite near Pearson Airport. With comfort in her attire and a soda in the hand, she invited me in….
