Jonathan Lethem recently returned to his hometown of Brooklyn, and it piqued my interest as to why. One day, he took me to Dean Street in Boerum Hill, the neighborhood where he grew up in the 1970s. This area serves as the backdrop for his acclaimed novel, “The Fortress of Solitude,” as well as his …
Is there a way to fully understand Sly Stone, a musical genius and embodiment of spiritual freedom, without resorting to a simplistic view? Can we move beyond contrasting elements like light and darkness, order and chaos, and see him as the angels do? It may require us to evolve our thinking and perspective to truly …
In 2000, amidst the chaos of the Y2K computer glitch, Americans should have been celebrating. The popular song “Smooth” by Santana and Rob Thomas filled the airwaves, reality TV show Survivor captivated audiences, and cultural icons like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston tied the knot. Yet, despite these seemingly joyful moments, American happiness began to …
“She claims that gifting is one of my love languages,” she says affectionately, gazing at the woman sitting on her right, wiping away a tear from her eye. The camera captures the two in black and white, and the woman adorned with a diamond-pendant necklace, which sparkles brilliantly against the muted backdrop. Traditionally, diamonds are …
Growing up in a big family with five siblings, Carlita Gay cherished the unique dynamics and exposure to various personalities. Although distance separated her from her hometown and family, therapy as an adult helped her realize the significance of her siblings as a refuge due to their shared history and deep understanding. Gay, now 33 …
Dear Therapist, I’ve been married to my husband for a year now, but before that, we dated for three years. He was previously married for over 20 years to his ex-wife, with whom he shares a child. I knew about his past girlfriends and one girlfriend he had after his divorce, but recently I stumbled …
Comedian Michelle Buteau has become a familiar face on Netflix, known for her comedic brilliance and straight talk. From her role in Someone Great to Always Be My Maybe, and now as the host of The Circle, she consistently brings a unique and engaging perspective to her projects. In her latest endeavor, Survival of the …
My last vivid memory of a former close friendship revolves around an evening spent watching an episode of the FXX show Dave. It was during the summer, celebrating his birthday with a few others. As we laughed together, relating to the characters who were all striving to achieve success in their respective fields, little did …
I must admit, I approached “Joy Ride” with some skepticism. Over the past few years, we’ve seen an influx of Asian American films across various Hollywood genres, from romantic comedies to superhero blockbusters and introspective dramas. While many of these films have been exceptional, I’ve noticed a recurring theme in some of them: the protagonist’s …
In the summer of 1998, Mecca, the famous Tunnel nightclub in Manhattan, became the epicenter of hip-hop culture. The crowd, dressed in designer brands like Versace, DKNY, and Polo Sport, eagerly awaited the performances of legendary artists like Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and Lil’ Kim. The energy was palpable as cars with booming stereos passed by, …