"You've got boys flying kites again..." —George W. Bush

About:

Oh, the privilege.

And what a privilege it is to publish a story about the broader theme of culture and identity, specifically for Afghanistan's diaspora living in the States, like those on that third-culture-wave, when Afghans from the home country are left dealing with far harsher realities.

The diaspora's dilemma pales in comparison (if you're that foolish to try and compare the two) to their dilemma. No less, it is still a dilemma.

With that in mind, Part I of this multi-part story dives into that nebulous question...what does it really mean to be Afghan? Really, what does it mean to be from anywhere?

This is a tricky one.

Show Notes

[00:45] "The Layers of Heaven" by Jovica
[02:15] "I Know A Way Through" by Phillip Ayers
[03:30] "Afghan National Anthem"
[06:05] 2010 Census data on the number of Afghans in America
1. Related: Some of the other largest ethnic groups in America
2. Related: Light reading on Dearborn, Mich.
3. Related: Light reading on Egyptians in Jersey City (h/t @Saressaa)
4. Related: Light reading on Iranians in Glendale / Tehrangeles
[07:10] More on the Kalacha
1. On the real estate
2. The surrounding area
3. And some other stats
[07:50] "Don't Say No" by Mike Franklin
[08:40] Light reading on Flushing
[08:50] Light reading on the local soccer club scene
[12:05] "Burnin' Things" by Mike Franklin
[14:35] Light reading on Rumi
1. Related:"I am not of India, nor of China, nor of Bulgaria, nor of Saqsín; / I am not of the kingdom of Irãqain, nor of the country of Khorãsãn."
2. And the debate over where Rumi is from
[16:55] More reading on consumerism and American culture
1. Here
2. Here
3. Here
4. Here
5. Here
[19:05] More on Jamil Jan Kochai (@jamiljankochai)
1. Read his book, 99 Nights in Logar
2. 2020 Pen Award finalist for debut novel
[19:20] Light reading on Logar, Afghanistan
[19:45] "Khaista Logar De"
[20:05] Afghanistan by Mohammad Hassan Kakar
[21:45] "Antidote X" by Van Sandano
[21:45] George W. Bush announcement of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan on Oct 7, 2001
[21:50] President George W. Bush's comments in December 2008
[22:25] President Barack Obama's comments on drone strikes in 2013
[23:00] President Donald Trump comments on US Afghan war in 2019
[23:45] Rory Stewart's two-part documentary series: Afghanistan: The Great Game
[24:30] John Rambo's history lesson of Afghanistan in Rambo III
1. Related: this was propaganda
2. Related: the Rambo musical score
[28:30] "Desert Hideout" by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
[31:00] "Wandering Soul" by Gabriel Lewis
[31:10] Light reading on the rise of the median home price vs the median household income
[31:20] Light reading on the increase of the cost of education
[31:30] Light reading on the rising cost of healthcare over the past few decades
[32:19]