Michael Jackson’s music transcended race, national boundaries, generations, and musical genres. A DJ in Birmingham, AL interviewed Joe Jackson on a program called the Juke Joint on 98.7 KISS FM. He said something to the effect that, “Everyone, all over the world knows the name of your children.” Please share your thoughts memories and international experiences with Michael Jackson as many of us continue to mourn his death.
Bettina's Michael Jackson Tribute
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Are You a Third Culture Kid? President Obama is.
President Obama and many members of his cabinet are Third Culture Kids. What is a third culture kid? A simplistic definition is one who may or may not share the culture of his or her parents. Having one or more parent of a different culture or growing up in a different cultural environment than one's parents could lead to an outlook on life that varies greatly from one's perceived culture. President Obama fits this category on a number of levels including having a mixed racial heritage, living in Indonesia as an American and so on. See Time.com for about the President's heritage.
Ruth Van Reken, author of the book Third Culture Kids, is one of the premiere researchers on this topic. She believes that experience as a TCK positively influences the President and his cabinet regarding foreign policy. To view the post by Ruth Van Reken, see Third Culture Kid.
For additional information:
Visit: tckid.com and Belong or Bust: Third Culture Kids
Read: Between Cultures: Developing Self-Identity in a World of Diversity.
Friday, June 19, 2009
HipHopistan: Intersection of Turkish Culture and Hip Hop
HipHopistan: Representing Locality in a Global City is a documentary by Cigdem Akbay. I have been sitting here attempting to write an objective post about the documentary, but I can't. Cigdem is one of my former interns. We worked together nearly a decade ago when I first started Diversity UAB and a community program called Diversity University. She was engaged in cross-cultural studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and willing to provide assistance to programs in their infancy.
I remember when she was taking a new course in Guerilla Filmmaking. It was a course that taught amateur filmmakers how to make ethnographic films. Emphasis was placed upon the story, not necessarily the film. However, to the delight of the instructors--Rosie O'Bierne and Michelle Forman, they developed many budding filmmakers. Some of the student films have been submitted to local festivals such as the Sidewalk Film Festival and on to national and international festivals.
HipHopistan reflects what I know of Cigdem. Her background as a transnational, a person with roots in her parent's ancestral home and the U.S., helps her delicately describe the intersections between U.S. and Turkish Hip Hop movements. Cigdem was raised by parents of Turkish descent who moved to Huntsville, AL. She spent significant time in both Turkey and the U.S. As a music documentary junkie who used to spend entire Saturdays watching VH-1 Behind the music, BET, and now TV One's music documentaries, I must say that Cigdem's background in cultural studies adds a layer of complexity that sets this film apart.
I recall her descriptions of Turkish culture as European and Asian. She talked about the Grand Bazaar as a symbol of this cultural juxtaposition. I was reminded of her observation in the introduction of the film. It features a rap song that mentions Turkey's unique geocultural status.
The film describes the Hip Hop movement in Turkey from various vantage points. She even interviews Turkish American and Atlantic Records co-founder Amhmet Eregun. Name not familiar? Watch the Ray Charles film starring Jamie Fox.
Besides the fact that I was able to offer practical experience for her interests, Cigdem and I always seemed to relate well to one another. This film includes an intersection of an American art form that grew out of an underground movement in mostly black urban communities with a country on the other side of the world. I don't recall if we ever discussed the significance of Hip Hop when I was growing up. Of course the incarnation of Hip Hop today differs significantly from the Hip Hop of my youth. However, the underground nature of the movement and the generational divide between Turkish youth and their parents' generation is quite familiar to me.
Although the film was released in 2006, it speaks to some of the thoughts I have been having lately. Cigdem contacted me just after I had made several statements to friends on the global power of Hip Hop. I think I was watching America's Best Dance Crew reruns and the fact that few of the top contestants were members of the culture where Hip Hop originated. I was also thinking about a visit that I had made to Southern Africa. The young people often asked whether or not I knew Ludacris and Beyonce. A visit to Japan in the mid-nineties hinted to the power of Hip Hop among Japanese youth.
In addition to her mother's Baklava that I still dream about from time to time and the Evil Eye ornament she hung in my office, I have a film that blends aspects of both of our cultures.
Job well done Cigdem.
I remember when she was taking a new course in Guerilla Filmmaking. It was a course that taught amateur filmmakers how to make ethnographic films. Emphasis was placed upon the story, not necessarily the film. However, to the delight of the instructors--Rosie O'Bierne and Michelle Forman, they developed many budding filmmakers. Some of the student films have been submitted to local festivals such as the Sidewalk Film Festival and on to national and international festivals.
HipHopistan reflects what I know of Cigdem. Her background as a transnational, a person with roots in her parent's ancestral home and the U.S., helps her delicately describe the intersections between U.S. and Turkish Hip Hop movements. Cigdem was raised by parents of Turkish descent who moved to Huntsville, AL. She spent significant time in both Turkey and the U.S. As a music documentary junkie who used to spend entire Saturdays watching VH-1 Behind the music, BET, and now TV One's music documentaries, I must say that Cigdem's background in cultural studies adds a layer of complexity that sets this film apart.
I recall her descriptions of Turkish culture as European and Asian. She talked about the Grand Bazaar as a symbol of this cultural juxtaposition. I was reminded of her observation in the introduction of the film. It features a rap song that mentions Turkey's unique geocultural status.
The film describes the Hip Hop movement in Turkey from various vantage points. She even interviews Turkish American and Atlantic Records co-founder Amhmet Eregun. Name not familiar? Watch the Ray Charles film starring Jamie Fox.
Besides the fact that I was able to offer practical experience for her interests, Cigdem and I always seemed to relate well to one another. This film includes an intersection of an American art form that grew out of an underground movement in mostly black urban communities with a country on the other side of the world. I don't recall if we ever discussed the significance of Hip Hop when I was growing up. Of course the incarnation of Hip Hop today differs significantly from the Hip Hop of my youth. However, the underground nature of the movement and the generational divide between Turkish youth and their parents' generation is quite familiar to me.
Although the film was released in 2006, it speaks to some of the thoughts I have been having lately. Cigdem contacted me just after I had made several statements to friends on the global power of Hip Hop. I think I was watching America's Best Dance Crew reruns and the fact that few of the top contestants were members of the culture where Hip Hop originated. I was also thinking about a visit that I had made to Southern Africa. The young people often asked whether or not I knew Ludacris and Beyonce. A visit to Japan in the mid-nineties hinted to the power of Hip Hop among Japanese youth.
In addition to her mother's Baklava that I still dream about from time to time and the Evil Eye ornament she hung in my office, I have a film that blends aspects of both of our cultures.
Job well done Cigdem.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Japanese Festival in Birmingham
JASA 1st Annual Natsu Matsuri!
Japanese-style Summer Evening Festival
日帰りでたのしい夏祭りへ行こう！
When: Saturday, July 18th from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Morgan Creek Winery, www.morgancreekwinery.com
What: for indoor and outdoor entertainment, wine/sake tasting
Featuring: - Miki Band from Lincoln, AL みきバンド
-
Okinawa Taiko Drummers from Huntsville, AL 太鼓
-
Shounoryu stylized dance from NW Florida 翔乃流
-
Japanese-style H.S. dance-Tuscaloosa こギャル・パラパラ
-
Yukata robe display and wearing for pictures 浴衣
酒Japanese sake tasting by
Sake Story, of Atlanta, GA! 酒
Free Alabama wine tasting by Morgan Creek Winery.
かき氷、綿あめ、焼き鳥、ポップコーン、ソーダ
Shaved Ice! Cotton Candy! Yakitori! Popcorn! Drinks! . . .
With RSVP, Family concession package, $35 for 15 tickets.
Food items, sake tasting – 1 ticket each (tickets also sold at the event- $2.50 each)
一つ食べ物とお酒の試飲にはそれぞれ１チケットが必要です。割引のファミリー・パッケージが予約制で
１５枚、$３５で購入できます。ご希望の方は、このメールで返信して下さい。
RSVP to Tamara Moriya, JASA, 205-943-4730 or to jasa@mindspring.com
Japanese-style Summer Evening Festival
日帰りでたのしい夏祭りへ行こう！
When: Saturday, July 18th from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Morgan Creek Winery, www.morgancreekwinery.com
What: for indoor and outdoor entertainment, wine/sake tasting
Featuring: - Miki Band from Lincoln, AL みきバンド
-
Okinawa Taiko Drummers from Huntsville, AL 太鼓
-
Shounoryu stylized dance from NW Florida 翔乃流
-
Japanese-style H.S. dance-Tuscaloosa こギャル・パラパラ
-
Yukata robe display and wearing for pictures 浴衣
酒Japanese sake tasting by
Sake Story, of Atlanta, GA! 酒
Free Alabama wine tasting by Morgan Creek Winery.
かき氷、綿あめ、焼き鳥、ポップコーン、ソーダ
Shaved Ice! Cotton Candy! Yakitori! Popcorn! Drinks! . . .
With RSVP, Family concession package, $35 for 15 tickets.
Food items, sake tasting – 1 ticket each (tickets also sold at the event- $2.50 each)
一つ食べ物とお酒の試飲にはそれぞれ１チケットが必要です。割引のファミリー・パッケージが予約制で
１５枚、$３５で購入できます。ご希望の方は、このメールで返信して下さい。
RSVP to Tamara Moriya, JASA, 205-943-4730 or to jasa@mindspring.com
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Riverfest
As we moved down the boardwalk, we were met by contrasting images. A vendor was selling confederate flag paraphernalia while Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" was blasting from a tent a few feet away. We eventually made it to the VIP tent where we ate BBQ to the sounds of the Marshall Tucker Band.
I have written on several occasions that a music festival--City Stages--drew me back to Alabama. Well, Riverfest in Gadsden, AL also made me feel proud to be southern and to live in Alabama.
If you check out the official Alabama Tourism site, Gadsden is located in the river region. I have made several trips to Gadsden over the years. When I was driving back home from Charlottesville, it marked the last hour of my trip. It is home to Top of the River--only THE best catfish in the country.
A friend mentioned the band lineup didn't seem to fit my musical taste. There was a local band at the beginning that we missed that played RnB. The Marshall Tucker Band was amazing to listen to live. Anyone who includes woodwinds in their lineup is alright with me. The guitar and bass solos were outstanding. I am not sure who was on electric guitar, but I might put him in the same league as Carlos Santana.
We took a walk along the Coosa River. Many Alabama landmarks retained Native American names. It was beautiful. Despite intermittent rainfall, the river was decorated with pontoons, speed boats and other water vehicles. There was even a one year old in his Pac n Play on one of the boats.
We made our way back to the tent that was blasting Beyonce earlier that night. You know the one near the confederate flag vendor? Walk It Out...A Two Step...Do the Stanky Leg...These young teens were workin' it out to the latest hip hop music. BTW-Most of the dancers were white.
I have written on several occasions that a music festival--City Stages--drew me back to Alabama. Well, Riverfest in Gadsden, AL also made me feel proud to be southern and to live in Alabama.
If you check out the official Alabama Tourism site, Gadsden is located in the river region. I have made several trips to Gadsden over the years. When I was driving back home from Charlottesville, it marked the last hour of my trip. It is home to Top of the River--only THE best catfish in the country.
A friend mentioned the band lineup didn't seem to fit my musical taste. There was a local band at the beginning that we missed that played RnB. The Marshall Tucker Band was amazing to listen to live. Anyone who includes woodwinds in their lineup is alright with me. The guitar and bass solos were outstanding. I am not sure who was on electric guitar, but I might put him in the same league as Carlos Santana.
We took a walk along the Coosa River. Many Alabama landmarks retained Native American names. It was beautiful. Despite intermittent rainfall, the river was decorated with pontoons, speed boats and other water vehicles. There was even a one year old in his Pac n Play on one of the boats.
We made our way back to the tent that was blasting Beyonce earlier that night. You know the one near the confederate flag vendor? Walk It Out...A Two Step...Do the Stanky Leg...These young teens were workin' it out to the latest hip hop music. BTW-Most of the dancers were white.
Charlottesville music scene captured in Live from the Hook
Did you know the Charlottesville music scene was an intersection of cultures and musical genres? It was a blend of rock, blues,and Reggae at a time when it was taboo for kids to listen to black music. Read about Live from the Hook from the perspective of an 80's alumna.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Fiesta de la Aventura
Join Alabama Adventure and HOLA Latino
for Fiesta de la Aventura. Sunday, June 21 at 11:00am - 8:00pm at Alabama Adventure Park, 4599 Visionland Pkwy, Birmingham, AL. Call 951-0255 for more information.
for Fiesta de la Aventura. Sunday, June 21 at 11:00am - 8:00pm at Alabama Adventure Park, 4599 Visionland Pkwy, Birmingham, AL. Call 951-0255 for more information.
Pho Que Huong Vietnamese Restaurant in Birmingham, AL
I had a great meal at Pho Que Huong today on Green Springs Highway. According to PhoQueHong.com, "PHO, a uniquely Vietnamese creation, dates back to the 10th century and means "Noodle Soup". QUE HUONG means 'Native Village'".
Pho is located in a section of Birmingham that has really changed over the years. Green Springs showed early signs of globalization. You can get Korean, Mexican, and Vietnamese food all within a few steps. Mediterranean, Italian, authentic Chinese and traditional southern food are within a few miles. There is even a Peruvian restaurant posing as a Mexican restaurant three traffic lights away.
My first visit to Pho several years ago was with someone who spoke Vietnamese. He selected my dishes. It isn't a prerequisite, though. Neither the waitress nor I could speak Vietnamese. Today I took the safe route and ordered a chicken dish with lemongrass and mushrooms. One of my friends ordered a noodle dish.
FYI: Pho is actually in the Homewood section of Greensprings. Homewood is a suburb of Birmingham.
Pho is located in a section of Birmingham that has really changed over the years. Green Springs showed early signs of globalization. You can get Korean, Mexican, and Vietnamese food all within a few steps. Mediterranean, Italian, authentic Chinese and traditional southern food are within a few miles. There is even a Peruvian restaurant posing as a Mexican restaurant three traffic lights away.
My first visit to Pho several years ago was with someone who spoke Vietnamese. He selected my dishes. It isn't a prerequisite, though. Neither the waitress nor I could speak Vietnamese. Today I took the safe route and ordered a chicken dish with lemongrass and mushrooms. One of my friends ordered a noodle dish.
FYI: Pho is actually in the Homewood section of Greensprings. Homewood is a suburb of Birmingham.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Julian Bond and the intersection of RnB and Rock
Music history buff or just wondering about the origins of Rock N Roll? Check out UVA professor Julian Bond's podcast, "Crossing the Color Line" Rhythm and Blues to Rock N Roll. The lecture was given during the UVA 2009 summer reunion.
Diverse Airport Food
Does anyone else consider food options when selecting domestic flights? Of course I would never fly out of my way to get to an airport based upon the food. However, if the layover is long and all other factors are equal, I like to go to a place that has the best food options. I think that the International concourse at the Detroit airport is my favorite. For some reason, Mediterranean food sticks in my mind. While I was in the Atlanta airport, I found a fusion dish at TGI Fridays that was pretty good. So, to avoid the long search that I had last night, I need suggestions for future travels.
On a side note, just to help you understand where I am coming from, my friends think that I am kinda weird. Why? When I travel to D.C., I like to eat on the bottom floor of Union Station for lunch at least once while in the City. I like to go to three or four different restaurants representing different regions of the world. It is like being at an international food festival!
Tell me where to eat Fly People.
On a side note, just to help you understand where I am coming from, my friends think that I am kinda weird. Why? When I travel to D.C., I like to eat on the bottom floor of Union Station for lunch at least once while in the City. I like to go to three or four different restaurants representing different regions of the world. It is like being at an international food festival!
Tell me where to eat Fly People.
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