Category Archives: Blog

I was fortunate to return to the Great Mosque of Xi’an here in China — such an architectural gem.

I’ve been doing a fair amount of travel in the People’s Republic of China despite the pandemic — perhaps if I ever have some time I will share some photos from the road.

I had the joy and honor of sharing my research on artistic renderings of slavery in Zanzibar and Oman at Harvard University a few days ago. It’s a very busy spring with several more talks coming up in the weeks ahead!

I had the pleasure and honor of sharing my research at this history making conference on the Tudeh Party of Iran at St. Andrews — grateful to be a part of it.

I’m happy to share that my new article: “Revolutionary Spacialities and Transcultural Solidarities at the 1969 Pan-African Cultural Festival in Algeria” has been published in Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora.  As you can see, the cover art for our issue is stunning! 

Check out Obsidian’s amazing digital content here: https://obsidianlit.org 

To order our gorgeous issue, click here:
https://mailchi.mp/454caeec2d99/whats-new-with-obsidian-cover-art-debut-open-reading-period-community-news-and-more-5052605

This transcultural research was informed by my research adventures in Algeria, Palestine, and the People’s Republic of China, and I enjoyed learning more about politicians, activists, and artists from Vietnam, North Korea, Mali, the Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and on and on! I am so grateful to the American civil rights legends, iconic Black artists, and Algerian Revolution heroes who shared their memories and words with me. It was a dream come true to share this research in a keynote speech and paper in Algeria at a conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Pan African Cultural Festival entitled “The Black Arts Movement in the United States and Algeria” at Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University. Thank you to all who made this work possible.

I am pleased to share my new publication, “Yesterday is not Gone: Memories of Slavery in Zanzibar & Oman in Memoirs, Fiction & Film,” in the Journal of Global Slavery.

I spent my Sunday in China giving and grading exams on campus. Afterwards, a colleague showed me this lovely riverbank across from my office–a lovely place to have lunch or meditate in between classes.

I have been enjoying gelato flavors in China that are new to me — like egg yolk!

Anubis loves to get in his bag and travel the world–perhaps I’ll share some photos from his 18th birthday in China!

One of the best aspects of Anubis’ acupuncture in China is getting to meet so many other disabled chihuahuas getting treatment–including other chihuahuas! Anubis has been enjoying making new friends as have I (fun to practice speaking Chinese with their parents).

Anubis and I have both been learning a lot about Traditional Chinese Medicine in China–and we also are both benefitting from acupuncture here.

Anubis began his acupuncture treatment in China in good spirits–at the time, he could not really stand due to his disc disorder, but thanks to his treatments he’s walking again.

Eighteen year old Anubis is still kicking thanks to the help of so many caring hearts in China–grateful for all of the help in keeping him alive!

In the spring, Anubis had an emergency at 3 am, so I ran him to the vet here in China. Long story short, after many tests from x-rays to ultrasounds, we got the bad news that Anubis is dying.

Anubis was told that he only had a few months to live, but he’s already surpassed all the predictions. How? Read on to follow his adventures in Traditional Chinese Medicine.