Thanks so so much for including me in this list of excellent, thought provoking articles. I’ve gulped up every one of these articles. The perspectives teach me a lot. That is what I most crave: new, unique and often voices that are excluded from mainstream media. I’m really happy I’ve found your work. Now, every time I open Substack, I’m excited about the content I will find - especially coming from you, the authors you mention here and other international authors I recently met. Thanks so much for writing this article.
Rebecca, you are so modest! You're a giant here and it's so great to see you reading this stuff. It's 100% the content I crave too. I've been gulping up your writing and every essay is filled with insights and truths. I was literally telling my girl friend at work today about your essay about self help books about work written by white men in the context of a work situation she was dealing with. So glad to have found you here!
Thanks so much Noha. One thing I love about Substack is the validation that I am not alone facing the challenges that racism creates. This creates a bond between you and me and so many others. Our combined determination and energy will dismantle racism, it’s a matter of time. Say “hi” to your friend for me.
I think one of the benefits of including views from more countries and other cultures is to compare, especially when we find things that are lacking in our own culture. For example, we write about the loneliness "pandemic" in America. Not sure where Canada is on that score. Which countries and cultures do a better job of avoiding loneliness?
I don't know the official stats but I can tell you anectodally, I think Canada was about the same as the US. We aren't great at avoiding loneliness. Both cultures are more individualist than collectivist, and while there are some advantages, I think there are plenty of disadvantages. I think people are looking for community whereever they can find it because it's not inherently built in to our societies.
Thanks so much for the kind mention, Noha! And completely agree with your thoughts--Substack seems to be divided mostly between Americans/Canadians, Brits, and Americans/Canadians/Brits living in France or Italy. There are Substackers I adore in each of those groups, but I would love to see more cultural variety in this space!
Maybe this already exists and I just haven’t come across it, but I feel like Substack could be a great platform for journalists in poorer/developing countries, many of whom might be having a tougher time finding an audience now that Twitter has become X.
Maybe it does already exist but I can't find it either! So I'm trying to build it up slowly, or at least share what I discover. It's funny you mention Twitter/X. One thing I had in spades on there was a huge diaspora community. It's too bad the overall platform went to hell. Ah well, we live to rebuild for another day.
I love this work you are doing. I’ve been here for four months, and although it’s been great it’s been hard finding writers that look like me and as a result I filter and edit through the white gaze. Glad there’s a community being highlighted and built to recognize Us. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Marc! I felt myself doing the same thing, and I really want to be authentic to who I really am, which is so much easier to do when I have others around me who are also ‘different’. Looking forward to reading your work!
Hahaa no rest for the weary! Sitting in a coffee shop with my little guy waiting for my older one's basketball to end. Back hurting from horrible boardroom chairs at the office today. Suitcase not yet packed, and not even taken out of storage 🙊🙊. I'll sleep on the plane I hope.
Thanks so so much for including me in this list of excellent, thought provoking articles. I’ve gulped up every one of these articles. The perspectives teach me a lot. That is what I most crave: new, unique and often voices that are excluded from mainstream media. I’m really happy I’ve found your work. Now, every time I open Substack, I’m excited about the content I will find - especially coming from you, the authors you mention here and other international authors I recently met. Thanks so much for writing this article.
Rebecca, you are so modest! You're a giant here and it's so great to see you reading this stuff. It's 100% the content I crave too. I've been gulping up your writing and every essay is filled with insights and truths. I was literally telling my girl friend at work today about your essay about self help books about work written by white men in the context of a work situation she was dealing with. So glad to have found you here!
Thanks so much Noha. One thing I love about Substack is the validation that I am not alone facing the challenges that racism creates. This creates a bond between you and me and so many others. Our combined determination and energy will dismantle racism, it’s a matter of time. Say “hi” to your friend for me.
Thanks for the mention and the recs for more good writing to check out!
You're so welcome! I really enjoyed your last essay
Love posts like these. Helps me discover new creators, and in this case a diverse set of them! Thank you Noha.
Bee! You're so welcome - glad to have you! And feel free to add more recommendations if you've got them.
Thanks Noha for the mention.
You make an important point.
I think one of the benefits of including views from more countries and other cultures is to compare, especially when we find things that are lacking in our own culture. For example, we write about the loneliness "pandemic" in America. Not sure where Canada is on that score. Which countries and cultures do a better job of avoiding loneliness?
I don't know the official stats but I can tell you anectodally, I think Canada was about the same as the US. We aren't great at avoiding loneliness. Both cultures are more individualist than collectivist, and while there are some advantages, I think there are plenty of disadvantages. I think people are looking for community whereever they can find it because it's not inherently built in to our societies.
Thanks so much for the kind mention, Noha! And completely agree with your thoughts--Substack seems to be divided mostly between Americans/Canadians, Brits, and Americans/Canadians/Brits living in France or Italy. There are Substackers I adore in each of those groups, but I would love to see more cultural variety in this space!
Maybe this already exists and I just haven’t come across it, but I feel like Substack could be a great platform for journalists in poorer/developing countries, many of whom might be having a tougher time finding an audience now that Twitter has become X.
Maybe it does already exist but I can't find it either! So I'm trying to build it up slowly, or at least share what I discover. It's funny you mention Twitter/X. One thing I had in spades on there was a huge diaspora community. It's too bad the overall platform went to hell. Ah well, we live to rebuild for another day.
Hopefully a lot of those people decide to come here instead!!
Yes!
I love this work you are doing. I’ve been here for four months, and although it’s been great it’s been hard finding writers that look like me and as a result I filter and edit through the white gaze. Glad there’s a community being highlighted and built to recognize Us. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Marc! I felt myself doing the same thing, and I really want to be authentic to who I really am, which is so much easier to do when I have others around me who are also ‘different’. Looking forward to reading your work!
Likewise!
Thanks Kimia! So glad to have found you on here.
Awwwww! What a pick me up - my back is killing me and I’m tired so that was really encouraging. ❤️❤️
Hahaa no rest for the weary! Sitting in a coffee shop with my little guy waiting for my older one's basketball to end. Back hurting from horrible boardroom chairs at the office today. Suitcase not yet packed, and not even taken out of storage 🙊🙊. I'll sleep on the plane I hope.