Dillon came home from a great field trip last week with Northlight Theatre Camp to see Shrek the Musical, presented by Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Theatre in Chicago.
“How was the play, I asked?” mostly thinking it was a cute and innocuous attempt by Broadway to engage younger audiences (although I heard gasps of [...]

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Usually I’m calling out films for perpetuating stereotypes about other cultures, but movies also can be a gift–a window offering deep insights into other cultures.  In fact, in studying Comparative Literature as an undergrad at Indiana University, the arts (literature, visual arts, film, music, dance, etc.) were all evaluated via the lens of the society [...]

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David Giantasio questioned on Adfreak, why, after becoming an ex-smoker, the “hero” of the ad (from Amercian Legacy, the NATC, the Ad Council and GSD&M Idea City) didn’t shoot higher than bowling (above) or operating a fork-lift. 
As an ex-smoker (June 24, 1986, but who’s keeping track?) the week you quit smoking  really is not the time to take on a [...]

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Twice  in two weeks I’ve been incredibly jealous when reading of projects or ventures of friends or colleagues.  But, if ‘birds of a feather flock together,” I’m glad to be in the same group as these birds.  It’s one thing to talk about multiculturalism, another to create businesses and projects that allow people to live [...]

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I picked up a brilliant piece of literature today that had the amazing effect of revealing my US ethnocentrism within 5 seconds.  I’m sure it’s on the New York Times Bestseller list. 
You may have heard of it?  It’s called 1001 Cool Freaky Facts with Glen Singleton (Highly recommended and left on the breakfast table for [...]

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I’m not talking about staged arguments where each side has planned out what they will say in advance, or actual physical brawls, but good, old fashioned discussion of philosophical ideals, where conversation evolves as each side is informed and inspired by the other.
“Argument is good, no?” is actually a direct quote from my Post Modern [...]

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Call me crazy, but I’m not getting this new ad and/or strategy by Sid Lee for adidas Originals, that ties Beckham and Snoop Dogg to Star Wars…to sell shoes…to whom?
From a multicultural perspective, pairing Beckham and Snoop in a cool urban landscape teaming with life is certainly hip, bringing together pop icons from diverse genres [...]

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If you have to ask your mom if you can join a rap band, chances are you’re not ready.
But that was not the case for Yoram Bejorano, of the Hamburg based band Coincidence that plays Yiddish melodies, mostly from the past, when approached by Kutlu Yurtseven, a Turkish immigrant rapper from the Cologne based Microphone [...]

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True American experience for international visitors?  How about White Castle…
 This blurb on Brandfreak about endearing images of Twinkies in popular media reminded me of past attempts to showcase our culture to international visitors.  For David from Paris, we spent the week trying to find the perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie.  We tried Potbelly’s  (sidenote–best day ever was being at Potbelly’s [...]

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The Huffington Post has taken up the cause of 10 year old Damon Weaver, reporter for the Kathryn E. Cunningham Canal Point Elementary school TV station,  to get a one-on-one interview with President Obama.   As his story continues to grow, he did get credentials to cover the Inauguration.  Dwayne Wade also has offered to play [...]

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