Great discussion! My first foreign food was Chinese food. They were open on Christmas and many Jewish families in NYC went for Chinese food and the movies. Italian was next and still my favorite. Food is our best way to be introduced to different cultures and growing up in NYC offers every cultural experience.
Gail, I grew up in Chicago and my first "foreign food" was also Chinese food, but it the local Cantonese restaurants. The children of the owners went to school with us as well. The Chinese food experience was very Americanized. It was also the foreign food I would get in Germany when I visited family and we went out to a restaurant. We did not go out for food that we could cook at home. So, it was such a treat. I remember as a child I felt that eating with chop sticks was the best and had a period where I ate everything including spaghetti with chop sticks. My grandmother would visit from Germany and marvel that I could use them.
When I was 8 a friend of mine's mom served Indonesian food all the time. She was actually American but had lived in Indonesia for a long time. She was an architect and had a practice with 2 Indonesian men. Every time I spent the night at this friend's house we would have delicious Indonesian food, and her mom taught me the proper way to eat it with my hand, where I would push the food into my mouth by scooping it up and then using my thumb to push it into my mouth. I loved it. When my mom and I were in the Netherlands, I always wanted to eat Indonesian food, and it was connected to those early experiences.
For my daughter her first foreign food was probably Indian and not Chinese, but her first foreign food that she was aware of was at the age of 4 one of her best friends had parents from China, and she ate often ate at their house. They were neighbors and good friends of ours. When her grandmother came from China for many months at a time, my daughter ate there even more often than her friend ate at our house. The grandma, called Po Po, was an amazing cook. I remember them going with grandma to pick dandelions and then making them into filling for dumplings which they helped her make. My daughter and her friend traded cultures because her friends mom made sure my daughter was included in the Chinese traditions, while I made sure that her friend was included in the German traditions.
Great points! I absolutely think -- continually -- that I am patriotic and that is why I have to fight right now. I love my country way more than some cynical people I know who complain continually but won't do anything about it!
Thanks as always, Anand. I had heard that there were going to be big protests on July 4th but then nothing seemed to materialize on the national scale anyway. When is the next protest like No Kings Day? It would be nice to get some real momentum going.
You grew up in Santa Monica? I did, too. I am struck by the difference between you and Stephen Miller, who apparently grew up there too, given that he went to Samohi.
Fascinating discussion - We are a nation of immigrants - many people who were fleeing awful circumstances elsewhere. Something that has puzzled me is the large number of immigrants who fled authoritarian rule (South America, Eastern Eurorpe, Southeast Asia) who have become huge MAGA people. Don't quite follow how that happens - where you come to be the very thing you fled.
One thing I took away from the No Kings protest in my area was that I could - for the very first time- embrace the American flag. I was born a pacifist and I always associated flags with the military. I also grew up watching movies about the Nazis in which that flag was displayed and it always sent chills down my spine. But in all my years I never expected a threat to democracy itself. Suddenly our flag meant so much more to me. At my No Kings Event I protested with a Vietnam vet. I believe he was a marine and he wore his cap on which he had marked the words Sucker and Loser on the sides. We waved our flags together and I felt so proud to be an American. I could say that and be anti-war and a social democrat. I felt connected to so many people that day. I'll be out on the 17th and hope it will be as diverse and meaningful.
Thank you so much. I really needed this discussion about our ideals---and patriotism vs. nationalism. (Even though I've already read Ruth's essay.) I like it that you recorded the live Interview---very much like the two of you together. I subscribe to both of you and really can't get enough. And I love---"good luck turning this ship around."
Loved this hopeful discussion, especially Anand's reminders that we have a lot to be grateful for in this country and that our diversity is our strength in the face of the MAGA movement to go backward to a country that no longer defines the multicultural wonder that we are.
I’m grateful for you two pairing up on this interview - it’s like a bubbling stream washing the toxic sludge out from legacy media. We really need our main stream media to become loyal and have news stories -daily- that support patriotism, and truthful stories, about American integrity. 🇺🇸
In regard to nationalism as compared to patriotism - Wendell Berry not too long ago wrote a most excellent book on the subject: The Need To Be Whole. Thank you, the two of you, as always. While I agree that there is much to celebrate about our country - both the ideals but also the occasional success in at least partially remaining true to them. But I don't think the current resident of Mar al Lago is just a carbuncle on the ship. He's also the other reality of this country from the get-go raising its hideous one might say karmic head. I do wish that the understandable (given the current focus on "immigrants" as invaders) emphasis on calling us a "nation of immigrants" can be distressing to many as this great nation of immigrants has also committed mass genocide of the indigenous population and theft and enslavement of millions. We need a better phrase, longer phrase... Also, while it is wildly true that many immigrants have indeed "bettered themselves" often in very decent ways, this truth lives side by side somehow with the truly invidious belief in this country: the insane notion that anyone can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps - which is literally impossible, but also simply as a metaphor, a lie. Not all people can. Lots of people need help.
Great discussion! My first foreign food was Chinese food. They were open on Christmas and many Jewish families in NYC went for Chinese food and the movies. Italian was next and still my favorite. Food is our best way to be introduced to different cultures and growing up in NYC offers every cultural experience.
Gail, I grew up in Chicago and my first "foreign food" was also Chinese food, but it the local Cantonese restaurants. The children of the owners went to school with us as well. The Chinese food experience was very Americanized. It was also the foreign food I would get in Germany when I visited family and we went out to a restaurant. We did not go out for food that we could cook at home. So, it was such a treat. I remember as a child I felt that eating with chop sticks was the best and had a period where I ate everything including spaghetti with chop sticks. My grandmother would visit from Germany and marvel that I could use them.
When I was 8 a friend of mine's mom served Indonesian food all the time. She was actually American but had lived in Indonesia for a long time. She was an architect and had a practice with 2 Indonesian men. Every time I spent the night at this friend's house we would have delicious Indonesian food, and her mom taught me the proper way to eat it with my hand, where I would push the food into my mouth by scooping it up and then using my thumb to push it into my mouth. I loved it. When my mom and I were in the Netherlands, I always wanted to eat Indonesian food, and it was connected to those early experiences.
For my daughter her first foreign food was probably Indian and not Chinese, but her first foreign food that she was aware of was at the age of 4 one of her best friends had parents from China, and she ate often ate at their house. They were neighbors and good friends of ours. When her grandmother came from China for many months at a time, my daughter ate there even more often than her friend ate at our house. The grandma, called Po Po, was an amazing cook. I remember them going with grandma to pick dandelions and then making them into filling for dumplings which they helped her make. My daughter and her friend traded cultures because her friends mom made sure my daughter was included in the Chinese traditions, while I made sure that her friend was included in the German traditions.
Great points! I absolutely think -- continually -- that I am patriotic and that is why I have to fight right now. I love my country way more than some cynical people I know who complain continually but won't do anything about it!
So glad to hear the two of you saying the same.
Thanks as always, Anand. I had heard that there were going to be big protests on July 4th but then nothing seemed to materialize on the national scale anyway. When is the next protest like No Kings Day? It would be nice to get some real momentum going.
July 17th is the next big protest day. Check Indivisible for more info.
Thank you, Victoria. 💙
Also, please mark your calendars for Labor Day rallies: Monday, September 1st, “Every Worker Stronger.” Details here: https://maydaystrong.org/
You grew up in Santa Monica? I did, too. I am struck by the difference between you and Stephen Miller, who apparently grew up there too, given that he went to Samohi.
Fascinating discussion - We are a nation of immigrants - many people who were fleeing awful circumstances elsewhere. Something that has puzzled me is the large number of immigrants who fled authoritarian rule (South America, Eastern Eurorpe, Southeast Asia) who have become huge MAGA people. Don't quite follow how that happens - where you come to be the very thing you fled.
Good points on continuation of DOGE and Musk as chief.
A great discussion!
Thank you both and I
like all different types of
foods. My first foreign
food was sushi.
Viva the resistance!
Never underestimate the power of denial as a defense mechanism.
One thing I took away from the No Kings protest in my area was that I could - for the very first time- embrace the American flag. I was born a pacifist and I always associated flags with the military. I also grew up watching movies about the Nazis in which that flag was displayed and it always sent chills down my spine. But in all my years I never expected a threat to democracy itself. Suddenly our flag meant so much more to me. At my No Kings Event I protested with a Vietnam vet. I believe he was a marine and he wore his cap on which he had marked the words Sucker and Loser on the sides. We waved our flags together and I felt so proud to be an American. I could say that and be anti-war and a social democrat. I felt connected to so many people that day. I'll be out on the 17th and hope it will be as diverse and meaningful.
Excellent conversation. Thank u
Thank you so much. I really needed this discussion about our ideals---and patriotism vs. nationalism. (Even though I've already read Ruth's essay.) I like it that you recorded the live Interview---very much like the two of you together. I subscribe to both of you and really can't get enough. And I love---"good luck turning this ship around."
Right on, Sharon! I also pumped my fist when Anand said, “Trump’s the barnacle and we’re the ship.” Hahaha, that puts Dumpty in his place! 😝
Fantastic discussion. Thank you
Loved this hopeful discussion, especially Anand's reminders that we have a lot to be grateful for in this country and that our diversity is our strength in the face of the MAGA movement to go backward to a country that no longer defines the multicultural wonder that we are.
I’m grateful for you two pairing up on this interview - it’s like a bubbling stream washing the toxic sludge out from legacy media. We really need our main stream media to become loyal and have news stories -daily- that support patriotism, and truthful stories, about American integrity. 🇺🇸
I bring a flag to the anti-Trump rallies that I attend and I play an album of Sousa marches on my cell phone. We need to take back the flag.
In regard to nationalism as compared to patriotism - Wendell Berry not too long ago wrote a most excellent book on the subject: The Need To Be Whole. Thank you, the two of you, as always. While I agree that there is much to celebrate about our country - both the ideals but also the occasional success in at least partially remaining true to them. But I don't think the current resident of Mar al Lago is just a carbuncle on the ship. He's also the other reality of this country from the get-go raising its hideous one might say karmic head. I do wish that the understandable (given the current focus on "immigrants" as invaders) emphasis on calling us a "nation of immigrants" can be distressing to many as this great nation of immigrants has also committed mass genocide of the indigenous population and theft and enslavement of millions. We need a better phrase, longer phrase... Also, while it is wildly true that many immigrants have indeed "bettered themselves" often in very decent ways, this truth lives side by side somehow with the truly invidious belief in this country: the insane notion that anyone can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps - which is literally impossible, but also simply as a metaphor, a lie. Not all people can. Lots of people need help.