Friday, January 28, 2011

A New Magazine for Meltingpot Lovers

Happy Friday Meltingpot Readers,

I just have to play mother hen here for a moment. Please indulge me.

So, one of my former Temple students started visiting me in my office asking for help in landing a journalism job. I told him to look for internships. He did. I told him to try freelancing. He did. I sent him listings for job opportunities that came my way. And he followed up on almost every one of them. Even the job that would have required him to relocate to India. But after almost a year of doing the right thing and still not landing that perfect journalism job, I said to him, "Sam, why don't you just start your own magazine?" And guess what? He did!!!!

The result, dear readers, is a wonderful new publication called Bridge Magazine. Here's how Sam describes its purpose:

"I dedicate this magazine to the stories, which demonstrate a camaraderie between races, nationalities, cultures, religions, sexualities...people. Whether it be a family consisting of African Americans and Ukrainians, a middle ground where Democrats and Republicans talk politics without name calling, or religions praying amongst each other with no quarrel, this magazine is dedicated to anyone and anything that helps to bridge the divide. This magazine is dedicated to a coexistence in a world made up of billions of unique individuals who all deserve the right to live as they choose."

(By the way, Sam is Black and Ukrainian)

Right now the magazine is online and in digital format, but the plan is to eventually go to print. Of course there are still kinks to work out and I know Sam put this together with a miniscule budget, blood, sweat and tears but it is an amazing first issue. Please take a look, leave a comment and bookmark the site.

I am just so impressed what one person can do when they are moved to take action. Yeah Sam!

What are you going to do with your passions? I'm listening.

Peace!

3 comments:

ErinMichelle said...

What an amazing and inspirational post. Thank you for this. I have yet to figure out what I am going to do with my passions, but I am reassured in pursuing them by people like you and Sam. Hats off!!

Jade @ Tasting Grace said...

I moved to Thailand with my passions (and being mixed race in Thailand is a different experience than in the U.S.!)

Along those lines, I saw this article and thought of you. You've probably seen it too, but just in case: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30mixed.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Professor Tharps said...

ErinMichelle,

Thanks!

Jade,
How awesome! Keep us posted about your experience in Thailand. Thanks for the link.