The identity complex
In the heart of Chittagong we walked into a market packed with hawkers selling miscellaneous merchandise. The awnings were sprinkled with dirt and grime, and the air smelled of dead fish. My family …
Verbatim
Featured Articles
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June 28 2016 Columns -
June 13 2016 Columns An invitation to share
What will you do in Vancouver? That’s the question I had to answer in the months preceding my departure from France. I initially chose to settle in Vancouver for the following reasons: the language…
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May 30 2016 Columns Forging identities outside cultural norms
Recently, I was asked by a stranger where I was from. After stating what I thought was an obvious answer of “born here, in Vancouver,” I was met with a response I didn’t expect.
“Really? Your… -
May 2 2016 Columns On how Vancouver, city of flavours, managed to win my heart
Fish and chips on Granville Island | Photo by Paul Joseph
I arrived here dragging my feet, despite having had this …
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April 18 2016 Columns The freedom to be oneself
You always hear about how diverse and multicultural Vancouver is and that Canadians are polite and friendly. All of this is true, but even more so, I have always perceived people in Vancouver, …
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April 4 2016 Columns Vancouver the blissful
As we know, xenophobia starts with first impressions: a simple glance allows you to see the Other’s difference. If we all come from similar racial backgrounds this difference doesn’t …
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March 21 2016 Columns Vancouver through the senses
There are few cities in the world that have the ability to transport me to different places at different periods of my life. Walking the streets of Vancouver is like stepping into a time machine …
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March 7 2016 Columns A curious phenomena: Linguistic schizophrenia
Association of Linguistic Schizophrenics.Like a fish in water. That’s how I felt a few days after my arrival in …
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February 22 2016 Columns Salsa’s cultural melting mosaic: social dance expresses diversity
Salsa marries a strict structure with a warm embrace. | Photo by Michelle LeeOne day my best friend made me realize that we…
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February 8 2016 Columns From Montréal to Vancouver: A quest for identity
In February 2015, at the age of 55, I moved to Vancouver. Yes, I was fleeing winter but I also had a desire to better understand my own country. I had always wondered why Canada did not feel united …