Immigrantly Immigrantly Media

In this episode, I sit down with Vivek Bald, a filmmaker, writer, and scholar dedicated to uncovering the hidden histories of the South Asian diaspora. For the past twenty-five years, Vivek has explored the migration patterns and cultural impact of South Asians in the US and Britain through his documentaries, books, and academic work at MIT’s Comparative Media Studies Department. His latest documentary, “In Search of Bengali Harlem,” which premiered in early March, reveals the forgotten history of Bengali migrants who settled in Harlem during the 1920s, integrating into Black and Hispanic communities.

Key Takeaways
History of South Asian Migration:

Overview of South Asian migration to the United States.

Experiences of early South Asian immigrants.

Impact of immigration laws on the South Asian community.

Personal and Family Experiences:

Vivek Bald's upbringing and influences.

His mother’s activism and its impact on his perspectives.

Development of his interest in documentary filmmaking.

In Search of Bengali Harlem:

The undocumented migration of Bengali Muslim men to the US in the early 20th century.

Intermarriages with African American and Puerto Rican women.

Challenges faced by these communities.

Personal stories and the research process behind the documentary.

The intersection of Race, Class, and Identity:

How these elements have shaped the experiences of South Asian immigrants.

The cultural influence of South Asians in cities like New York.

Political undertones in the narratives of South Asian migration.


Additional Links:
To learn more about In Search of Bengali Harlem, http://bengaliharlem.com
 The film is available to stream on PBS as part of the documentary series America ReFramed:
 On PBS/WORLD’s YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os-PxQ2q3Ig
Using the PBS App on your TV or Mobile Device:
https://www.pbs.org/pbs–app/
At America ReFramed:
https://worldchannel.org/episode/america-reframed-in-search-of-bengali-harlem/
 http://bengaliharlem.com/watch
 
Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.
Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com.
Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 
You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com
Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan & Adiba Hussain I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound
Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production.
For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com
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Amer Jandali is the founder of 'Future Meets Present,' a social design agency dedicated to building a sustainable future. Before diving into climate activism, Amer had an exciting career as a DJ in New Mexico, where he even opened for famous acts like LMFAO (yes, the Party Rock Anthem duo). He later moved from Las Cruces to New York City to pursue a master's degree in design for social innovation. Today, he teaches sustainable business models at Parsons and social entrepreneurship at John Jay College.
Join us as we discuss his journey from DJing to designing a greener future and explore his work at 'Future Meets Present.' Get ready for an inspiring conversation that combines the energy of party anthems with the urgency of environmental action
Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.
Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com.
Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 
You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com
Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan & Bobak Afshari I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound
Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production.
For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is someone I recently started to follow on Twitter, X whatever you call it, and I started reading her debut essay collection, “The Way You Make Me Feel: LOVE IN BLACK AND BROWN.” I am in awe of her calm honesty and unique writing style; she blends humor and realism with aplomb. Nina Sharma is a writer who focuses on humor writing. She is a Barnard alum and now teaches first-year students there. Her work has been showcased in publications such as The New Yorker and Women’s Studies Quarterly. Through her workshops and writing columns, she explores allyship within BIPOC communities. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with a truly remarkable writer!
Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.
Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com.
Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 
You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com
Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Adiba Hussain and Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound
Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production.
For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest, Daniel Alvarenga, journalist and podcast host, delves into his life as a Salvadoran American and the extensive influence of U.S. foreign policy on Central America. Raised in a Salvadoran household, he recounts his parents' migration during El Salvador's civil war and its profound impact on his worldview. Daniel addresses prevalent misconceptions about Central Americans, particularly stereotypes linked to violence, and underscores the importance of grasping the historical and political nuances behind Central American migration. In his podcast "Humo, Murder and Silence en El Salvador," Alvarenga exposes systemic failures and the harsh realities faced by families of the disappeared, advocating for critical thinking and collective action for reform.
Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.
Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com
Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 
You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com
Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Bobak Afshari and Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound
Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production.
For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me on Immigrantly as I delve into the intricate world of gaming and representation, a topic that is not only fascinating but also highly relevant in today’s diverse gaming landscape. In this episode, I am joined by University of Chicago professors Alireza Doostdar and Ghenwa Hayek, who share insights from their groundbreaking project, ‘Gaming Islam.’ We explore the portrayal of South West Asian, North African, and Muslim individuals in the iconic video game Call of Duty. Discover why representation matters in gaming and how initiatives like ‘Gaming Islam’ reshape the industry’s landscape. It’s a thought-provoking discussion on the power of media in shaping cultural perceptions and fostering inclusivity.
Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.
Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com
Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 
You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com
Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Bobak Afshari and Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound
Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production.
For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of Immigrantly, I dive head-first into the expansive realm of happiness. Is happiness a fleeting moment or a sustained state of being? Can it be actively cultivated, or is it an innate aspect of human existence? How do our backgrounds, personalities, and choices influence our perceptions of happiness?
Our guest, Laurie Santos, a distinguished cognitive science and psychology professor at Yale, is here to shed light on these questions. With her groundbreaking course, Psychology and the Good Life, Laurie has pioneered an approach to happiness education that has captivated audiences worldwide. We discuss cultural considerations when exploring happiness, the difference between contentment and happiness, Gen Z’s perception of happiness, and how to achieve zen mode. 
Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, unvarnished insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.
Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com
Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 
You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com
Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Rainier Harris and Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound
Title Inspiration: Nick Epley
Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production.
For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices