Explains

Explains

Explainers add the context that's so needed and often missing from Asian headlines
Hati-hati Jadi Penjajah Saat Berwisata!

Explains

Hati-hati Jadi Penjajah Saat Berwisata!

Pariwisata adalah sektor yang sangat rumit. Industri raksasa ini jadi tumpuan pendapatan. Namun di sisi lain, masyarakat suatu daerah yang bergantung pada pariwisata seringkali mengorbankan banyak hal-hal pokok demi para turis yang datang, kadang menyerupai kolonialisme. Nyatanya, banyak negara bertumpu pada pariwisata karena kolonialisme mengeruk sumber daya mereka. Saat ini, di samping masalah sumber daya yang semakin mendesak, perilaku turis juga butuh disorot. Apalagi banyak blogger dan pengusaha mengambil keuntungan di atas usaha dan kerja keras masyarakat lokal, sambil acapkali memperpanjang narasi-narasi yang meminggirkan warga lokal. Tapi ada cara untuk berwisata dengan etis. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan mengedukasi diri tentang sejarah, politik, dan kondisi lingkungan tujuan wisata. Selain itu, mendukung usaha-usaha lokal serta turut serta dalam pelestarian lingkungan. Yang pasti, segalanya dimulai dari kesadaran diri sendiri.

IVF Isn’t Designed for Asians

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IVF Isn’t Designed for Asians

More Asian people opting into IVF treatment doesn’t mean that more Asian people are getting pregnant. Why? Not only is IVF not designed with Asian bodies in mind, but we also have genetic, environmental, and cultural factors impacting us--whether we know it or not. When tapping into in vitro fertilization, East and South Asians specifically find longer wait times, more expensive bills, and a higher risk of treatment not working. They report that the monolithic treatment of Asians includes microaggressions, and no consideration of ethnicity or language–which ultimately makes them distrust the physician and medical system. On top of that, Asian bodies do some things differently, including how we metabolize estrogen. And our diets may have more methylmercury, a known reproductive toxin seen commonly in fish. So when we know we’re genetically and environmentally predisposed to infertility, and that our cultures don’t necessarily give us permission to seek fertility support out, the need for normalizing this conversation becomes even more urgent.

The Partition of India Was Decided by Englishmen

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The Partition of India Was Decided by Englishmen

Ms. Marvel pushes the 1947 Partition into pop culture through female teenage superhero Kamala Khan, inciting different reactions. Though histories and narratives of India, Pakistan & Bangladesh’s mass migration aren’t a monolith, they share one thing: pain. Kamala, played by Iman Vellani, is trying to figure herself out and learning about her family’s history. Talking to her Nani, Kamala learns about this pain that Partition caused to all involved. While some viewers resonated, others called it whitewashed or felt confused. To understand this varied response, it’s important to first understand what exactly happened in 1947 to create one of the largest forced migrations in history - one that led to 14 million displaced people, two million dead, and countless separated families–all created by the British. After 200 years of colonial rule, India was divided recklessly; Winston Churchill called Britain’s departure a “shameful flight”. As writer Urvashi Butalia noted, Partition was more than just a division of properties or politics, it was a 'division of hearts.' This year marked the 75th anniversary of Partition. After years of tense relations between the countries, four wars fought between them and persecuted minorities in both regions, the pain of Partition has never left. CREDIT Host & Producer Manal Ahmed Producer Stephanie Tangkilisan & Yuhong Pang & Yudistira Dilianzia & Joy Jihyun Jeong Director of Photography Muhammad Abbas Parkar Editor Rendy Albi Special Thanks Nishant Upadhyay Writer and Researcher Manal Ahmed & Sonia Baweja Editor in Chief Keshia Hannam Head of Production Stephanie Tangkilisan Animator Fitra Pratama Sound Mix David Alba Graphic Design Samuel Kang & Fitra Pratama & Annie Zhao

Did You Know Astrology Comes From Iraq?

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Did You Know Astrology Comes From Iraq?

We all know our astrological sign but do we know about where astrology comes from? Astrology originates from ancient Mesopotamia (aka Iraq). And it’s always been about much more than personality traits. Medieval Muslims scheduled many ordinary activities—from haircuts to sex—based on astrological timing. In China, often when someone is ill, a couple is arguing, a child has behavioral problems, etc., it’s believed their zodiac signs are not placed well in their home. History shows how easily indigenous traditions were stolen, renamed, and sold for profit: astrology is no different. So what can today’s practitioners do to protect astrology from exploitation and opportunists? Rituals are not to be consumed – they are to be respected. From finding a practitioner with a sense of history, to deepening your knowledge of the people who first practiced it, here are the ways you can keep astrology sacred.

Rural Australia Hosts a Quarter of World’s Refugees

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Rural Australia Hosts a Quarter of World’s Refugees

There are nearly 27M refugees in the world and a quarter of them are now in rural Australia. Known as less than progressive, Australia's policies have been historically condemned as outright abusive. But today, refugees claim they feel welcome in Australia. In 2020, a study found 22% of immigrants in Australia faced discrimination and 90% of those felt this discrimination negatively impacted their health. From Afghans to Filipinos, refugee communities today are feeling that their resettlement in the small towns of Australia are not only successful but also fruitful. This is because small towns need people, as everyone relocates to urban cities. And though many refugees still experience racism and Islamophobia, this can be a turning point for Australia as a host country. Will they live up to the title of ‘one of the most multicultural countries in the world’?

Why The Monarchy Has Got To Go

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Why The Monarchy Has Got To Go

When crowned in 1952, the Queen was 25 years old. She inherited responsibility for hundreds of millions of colonial subjects spread across 70 colonies, territories, and mandates. She never distanced herself from the mechanisms of the Empire and in fact, remained complicit in it and benefited from it throughout her lifetime. In fact, Queen Elizabeth’s 186 carat crown jewel is worth $591M. The Kohinoor diamond – originally from India – is seen as an imperial trophy, and has come to represent British wealth, genocide, and colonization. Since her death, calls for its return have been heightened, and with it--questions to why the monarchy exists. This winter, almost 1.3 millions Britons are expected to fall into poverty and inflation is at its highest in 40 years. What will the new King need to do to truly begin to make amends for Britain’s dark past?