Modern Minorities

Latest Episodes:

Talking about our Asian American (family) heritage May 05, 2022

Show notes

“Just by osmosis you pick it up.” “Culture, heritage, and language were passed down - celebrated traditions as a community”

Since it’s AAPI heritage month, Sharon & Raman decided to have a chat about OUR own personal AAPI family heritage — stories about our parents, grandparents, and how the next generation - us and our kids - interact with that history. From Mahjong games with grandma to Grandpa V2s, hear how we’re thinking about the past, present, and future — even when we can’t always be around the heritage that makes us who we are.

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Dian Alyan’s (journey to) GiveLight.org May 01, 2022

Show notes

“People tend to be afraid of the unknown. The most dangerous thing is the illusion of knowledge. We need to have an open mind and embrace the world.”

Dian Alyan is the Founder & CEO of the GiveLight Foundation (GiveLight.org) — a non-profit inspired by Islamic values to help orphans across the globe regardless of nationality, race or religion. This is actually a conversation from Raman’s other, OTHER podcast, “Learnings from Leaders” - the P&G Alumni Podcast (pgalums.com/podcast) — where each week you can hear candid, mentorship-style conversations with some of the most interesting leaders in business. Given that Dian's not just Muslim, but also Indonesian, featuring our really inspiring conversation felt like an interesting way to bridge both the end to the Holy Month of Ramadan in the Muslim World, but also the start of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Dian founded GiveLight.org after the 2004 South Asian tsunami, where she lost many loved ones in her home country of Indonesia . Dian was inspired to provide for children going through similar devastation around the world — natural disasters and extreme conditions, like poverty and war. GiveLight is a non-profit creating high quality homes and education for global orphans. What began as one home for 50 children has now expanded to support over 1,000 orphans in 11 countries globally — with a goal of housing 10,000 children in response to natural disasters, poverty, and war. GiveLight has responded to crises in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Morocco.

Prior to founding GiveLight - Dian spent a decade as the Outreach Director for the Muslim Community Association in the San Francisco bay area. And Dian got her start at P&G in brand management in beauty and healthcare brands across Asia. Dian’s work with GiveLight has garnered awards and engagements from Fortune 500s + prominent universities, and has been featured in Newsweek, the Huffington Post, and many other media outlets. She lives in the San Francisco bay area, a mother of two - but she considers all children GiveLight reaches as a part of her family. Learn more about how you can help at GiveLight.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MMusic: Haseeb “Play Love” Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

“Music is a force that brings us all together, wherever you’re from.”

For this ENTIRE holy month of Ramadan, we wanted to hear some music by MUSLIM artists (beyond Dua Lipa, Cat Stevens, AR Rahman, and Zane Mallick) — so we’re bringing back MMusic with longtime FrieMMd of the Pod + our favorite Egyptian American from Cleveland, Seif Hamid, aka the musical artist Soof.

This week we’re listening to HASEEB (featuring REHMA). “Play Love” s a track that covers a theme universal to all music and art — love. The combined R&B / rap sensibilities, merged with cultural - and pop-cultural - references (Superman & Lois Lane, going to mosque) has a great vibe you’ll be bobbing your head to all day.

As always, you can check out these MMusic tracks and more @ modmypod.com/music

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sara Alfageeh’s (storied) Squire Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

"No one had seen an actual Muslim's take. But I'm an artist - if I want something done right, I can just do it myself."

Sara Alfageeh’s a Jordanian American comics creator and creative director — but mostly just a major history nerd who just really wants to draw girls with swords. Sara's the co-creator of SQUIRE - a recently released graphic novel that blends the familiar hero's journey with a uniquely Middle Eastern inspired take — a fun read we highly recommend you check out.

Sara's also the co-founder of One More Multiverse and her work has been featured by Harvard, Lucasfilm, the BBC, NYU, and even a Google Doodle. Her secret origin will inspire you, and her enthusiasm will give you faith in the next generation - and challenge you to not just sit back, but to pick up a pen and start creating...because no one is going to do it for you. Sara's wise beyond her years, and we can't wait to see what she creates over the next 25 years...

LEARN ABOUT SARA

sara-alfa.com
READ SQUIRE: https://linktr.ee/readsquire
https://instagram.com/saraalfageeh
https://twitter.com/SaraAlfageeh

MENTIONS

Ms. Marvel / Kamala Khan: wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamala_Khan
G Willow Wilson: wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Willow_Wilson
Bedouin Playing Cards: sara-alfa.com/bedouin
Dust X-Men redesign - sara-alfa.com/character
TV: Avatar the Last Airbender - imdb.com/title/tt0417299
TV: Legend of Korra - imdb.com/title/tt1695360
TV: Expanse - imdb.com/title/tt3230854

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MMusic: Abir - ‘Yallah’ Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

“Music is a force that brings us all together, wherever you’re from.”

This week we’re listening to "Yallah" by ABIR - a big, pure voice that we don’t hear as often anymore. This track is a catchy pop that blends worlds that you can’t help but listen to and dance (challenge accepted). The headline of the song is about a love, devotion, and hospitality unique to the Arab world - for Arabs and beyond. It’s a proud song that announces that they are here in a big way, and we should be listening.

As always, you can check out these MMusic tracks and more @ modmypod.com/music

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tehran Von Ghasri’s (mischievous) Truth Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

“It's unfortunate because the truth is right there — and at this point we're just pretending to be asleep.”

Tehran Von Ghasri is a comedian, actor, tv/radio/podcast host, and activist. Tehran is many things - half iranian, half black, half amazingly nerdy and amazing. As a comic he’s a mix of Dave Chappelle and Stephen Colbert meet Maz Jobrani. He’s actually co-hosts “Back to School with Maz Jobrani” - which is how we met. Tehran’s got roots in DC + LA. He’s a A Laugh Factory favourite, and has been seen on Netflix, FOX, Bravo, Pivot, Comedy Central, the Kennedy Center, and a sold out show near you. There’s a saying - good comics make you laugh, great comics make you think. Tehran is NO exception to that. Fair warning, with Sharon out, Raman’s flying solo so you’ll hear some nerding out down many many tangents and rabbit holes,

LEARN ABOUT TEHRAN

iamtehran.com
twitter.com/iamtehran
instagram.com/iamtehran

MENTIONS

COMIC: Mike E. Winfield - imdb.com/name/nm3073705/
FILM: Fight Club (1999) - imdb.com/title/tt0137523
FILM: The Dark Knight (2008): imdb.com/title/tt0468569
FILM: Malcolm X (1992): imdb.com/title/tt0104797
FILM: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003): imdb.com/title/tt0251127

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MMusic: Omar Offendum - ‘Pacific Syriano’ Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

“Music is a force that brings us all together, wherever you’re from.”

This week we’re listening to one of great MC’s in the game - OMAR OFFENDUM. It's not enough to just call him a musician or an emcee. He's a true poet — incredible with the pen, truly bridging cultures with his deep lyrics (be sure to listen for the “LA” in the rhyme scheme of the last verse)

As always, you can check out these MMusic tracks and more @ modmypod.com/music

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aaliyah Habeeb’s Black (and) Muslim experience Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

“We weren't the only Black Muslim family at the Masjid, but one of the few. I was just listening to what they were saying and picking up on it.”

Aaliyah “Ali” Habeeb is many things — a writer, actor, producer, teacher — with numerous film / theater credits and awards: the titular role in Henry IV parts 1 & 2, Back to the Real, Surely Goodness & Mercy, Love Ya Like a Sis, and even apprentice with both director & actors of Othello at Shakespeare’s Globe. Aaliyah’s recently produced & directed the short film “America Again,” (based on the 1920s Langston Hughes poem of the same name) - which takes a critical look at the impact racial disparities of education system - through the reflections of Aaliyah’s former students. Aaliyah’s also Black, and Muslim, and from Kent, Ohio. Born and raised in the Islamic faith, Ali wrote a 99 day inspirational wellness journal that takes the 99 Attributes of God in Islam, the Asma al-Husna, or Most Beautiful Names. A friend of Sharon’s for more than a decade - over which Aaliyah’s transformed into the artist she is today. You’ll enjoy this conversation not just about being Black or Muslim, but about being an American of faith - who gives us faith.

LEARN ABOUT

aaliyahhabeeb.com
instagram.com/aalibumaye // instagram.com/bismillah_and_bonappetit
twitter.com/aalibumaye
SHORT FILM: "America Again" - youtu.be/mfpiNXmmGRU
SHORT FILM: “Black and kinda Republican” - youtu.be/TN69TGCGKqI

MENTIONS

POEM: Let America Be America Again (Langston Hughes): poets.org/poem/let-america-be-america-again
PERSON: August Wilson (playwright): wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson
BOOK: Just as I Am (Cicely Tyson): goodreads.com/book/show/50622390-just-as-i-am

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MMusic: Dania - ‘Slow’ Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

“Music is a force that brings us all together, wherever you’re from.”

This week we’re listening to the one and only beautiful, soulful voice of DANIA — an unexpected, classy, old school vibe from a modern R&B artist.

As always, you can check out these MMusic tracks and more @ modmypod.com/music

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ramadan Mubarak (for us all) Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

"It's about sacrifice. It's about spirituality. It's about getting closer to God.” “Ramadan is a time to better yourself — a new beginning for many things.”

Ramadan Mubarak (رمضان مبارك)! Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by 1.8 BILLION Muslims worldwide. It is ~30 days of fasting, prayer, reflection and community — lasting from one crescent moon to the next. And as beautiful a culture and religion as Islam is, we know far too little about it, nor what Ramadan really means for its people. For this holy month of Ramadan we wanted to go deeper on one of the biggest holidays in the world. So we decided to fire up the Rabat-signal to get a little help from our FrieMMds — past guests Seif Hamid, our favorite Egyptian American musician by way of Cleveland (Soof!), and Lena Shareef, our favorite Pakistani American comics podcaster (Grounded Geeks). We asked them everything from how they celebrated as Ramadan as kids in the midwest and back in their respective motherlands of Egypt and Pakistan, what fasting means for them, Ramadan’s role in the culture, and even learned what all of us can do to celebrate Ramadan.

LEARN ABOUT LENA