cultural criticism
Enough has been said by now about the success of The Incredibles 2—by both reviews and record-breaking box office numbers—that I don't need to belabor its quality. I will say that it's a sequel that rises sufficiently to the challenge laid down by its precursor's popularity, as well as the incredible (pun severely intended) expectations... Continue Reading →
In this country, we grow up being told that our road to success lies in working hard, becoming the most excellent version of whatever fits with our God-given talents. We are not told about limits, about the ceilings that will inevitably, invisibly halt our progress when those of us who don't fit the profile of... Continue Reading →
In case you missed it, here's an article I wrote for the #WriteBackFightBack campaign co-sponsored by Reappropriate, 18 Million Rising, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Excerpt: The category “Asian American” was initially created in the 1960s as a way to unite our voices for political change, drawing inspiration from the way the African American community... Continue Reading →
Avengers: Infinity War starts almost at the exact moment Thor: Ragnarok left off, with Thanos' ship bearing down on the Asgardians in full attack mode—setting the tone for the rest of this movie, which can best be described as nearly three hours of sustained battle interspersed with quips, with the occasional pause for character moments.... Continue Reading →
If someone had told me ten years ago that in 2018 we'd have two comics by major publishers with Pakistani-American protagonists, I might have dumped cold water on their head to make them talk sense. But here we are. We got our superhero in Kamala Khan, whom I love so much that even nearly five... Continue Reading →
This past weekend, I presented at Notable Pursuits, which is a showcase for local artists started by The Light House Project. This was the Anniversary episode, in honor of Deah, Yusor, and Razan, who tragically passed away three years ago, around this time. The organizers asked me to address hardship or struggle in my... Continue Reading →
I am a granddaughter of colonized people, who as children walked the bloody leagues from their old homes to the new ones they had been promised, in the most massive migration of people in human history. Rape and murder followed their caravans, and their destinations failed to fulfill the promise of recompense for what they... Continue Reading →
I first watched the original Star Wars trilogy the summer I was ten, because it came on TV and my older brother was in charge of the remote. I enjoyed it, but it didn't take up much real estate in my head afterwards beyond suddenly understanding previously mystifying pop culture references. I never ended up... Continue Reading →
Although the Trump administration’s Muslim ban has been temporarily halted by the courts, he has promised to replace it with something else, presumably equally repugnant and antithetical to American values. The ban has already had and will continue to have damaging effects on various American industries, and tomorrow night, it will be interesting to see... Continue Reading →
I finally saw this movie last weekend—I say finally because it's been my most anticipated movie since I first heard about it in September of last year—and it was even more powerful, essential and devastating than I had hoped. I Am Not Your Negro is a clear-eyed, courageous look at American society's relationship with race... Continue Reading →
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