When I first arrived in London several years ago to conduct fieldwork on cultural adaptation, I was struck by the vibrant tapestry of festivities that dotted the calendar year. From Christmas lights twinkling in shopping districts to the buzzing excitement of Diwali nights in Leicester, every celebration carried a unique flavour shaped by centuries of history—yet also by something distinctly contemporary. As a cultural anthropologist deeply invested in the stories of marginalised voices and the evolving nature of tradition, I ...

A faint echo reverberates through our contemporary conversations, like a haunting refrain from a calligraphic brushstroke on canvas. This echo—persistent, evocative, and potent—goes by the name cancel culture. It is whispered in café debates, amplified on social media platforms, and analysed in academic circles. The phenomenon has sparked praise and condemnation in equal measure, weaving itself into the cultural tapestry of our time. As an artist and activist accustomed to exploring resistance, identity, and global solidarity, I find myself compelled ...

Despite the progress we’ve made in embracing inclusivity, one form of prejudice remains stubbornly embedded in the media and pop culture: ageism. From the limited roles available to older actors to the portrayal of ageing as a negative or pitiable process, the media often reflects—and reinforces—a society that undervalues its ageing population. Yet, as the tides slowly turn, the fight for age diversity in media is challenging outdated narratives and creating a more inclusive space for all ages.

The sound of a drumbeat reverberates through a concert hall, its rhythmic pulse echoing centuries-old histories. A model walks down the runway sporting attire once reserved for sacred ceremonies. An artist presents work imbued with motifs taken from a culture she’s never known beyond textbooks and the occasional tourist trip. We live in an age of seemingly endless creative fusion, but what lies beneath this tapestry of global exchange? Are we witnessing respectful homage—or mere exploitation of symbols, histories, and ...

Have you ever paused to consider the stories you carry in your body—those quiet beliefs about what it means to be valuable, successful, and fulfilled? As a child, I remember watching my father wake up before dawn. He was a Mexican immigrant in the United States, determined to provide for his family, navigating an unfamiliar world of high expectations and limited rest. His work ethic often impressed me, yet it also made me wonder why achievement was always framed as ...

As I stand before a painting that swirls with verdant greens and deep earthen browns, I sense more than just pigment and brushstroke at work. There’s a quiet chorus behind the image—an interplay of ancestral whispers and contemporary calls, urging us to examine the complex relationship between gender, environment, and creative expression.

For centuries, women have fought to be seen and heard, and while progress has been made, the struggles of women of colour often remain overlooked. Black women, for instance, were excluded from the Suffragette movement in the UK and weren’t granted the right to vote until 1928, when the Representation of the People Act was passed, allowing all individuals to vote. In the United States, black women weren’t able to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I´m going ...

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), observed annually on 20th November, is a profoundly significant day dedicated to honouring the lives of transgender individuals lost to violence and discrimination. It is a time of reflection and advocacy, underscoring the systemic issues that perpetuate such violence while commemorating the legacies of those who have been taken from us. Founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in response to the murder of transgender activist Rita Hester, TDOR has grown into a global ...

Masculinity is undergoing a profound transformation, challenging long-standing ideals of male identity and inviting a redefinition of what it means to be a man in contemporary society. Historically, masculinity was often equated with strength, resilience, and dominance, leaving little room for emotional openness or vulnerability. Today, however, changing gender roles, rising mental health awareness, cultural influences, and shifts in media representation have collectively instigated a re-evaluation of masculinity.

The journey of migrant artists into the UK art scene often unfolds in complex and unseen ways, characterised by unique struggles and an ongoing quest for identity and acceptance. While art has historically served as a universal language, the realities for immigrant artists in the UK reflect a stark difference. Their voices, while rich in diversity, are frequently muffled by layers of cultural misunderstanding, financial barriers, and social isolation.