America’s Awkward Thanksgiving Dinner

Journalist Shereen Marisol Meraji’s other folks are Iranian and Puerto Rican, and she lives in Los Angeles. In other words, says host Carvell Wallace, Meraji is American. 

She once urged him, « I slot in in each space on sage of I assemble no longer slot in wherever, » Wallace recalls.

Before the Thanksgiving holiday, when Americans accelerate home to take a seat down throughout the desk from relations who on the entire abet various political opinions, Wallace asked Meraji how he could start up conversations with of us from various backgrounds – of us he fears could reject him.

« Human nature is to are making an try to be an ingredient of a gaggle and to have confidence togetherness and to feel treasure you belong someplace. All of us need that, don’t we? » asks Meraji. « And we plot are making an try to be in community, so desperately. So, if … we’re reaching out to our neighbours, and we’re doing it in our indulge in tiny contrivance, I deem that is feasible. » 

You must maybe hear this conversation within the 2d episode of Closer Than They Seem, the debut level to from Al Jazeera’s new podcast studio, Jetty. Over the course of seven episodes, host Carvell Wallace decides that the most productive approach to transfer forward is to flip and face the darkish moments in America’s history – and his indulge in. Along the contrivance in which, he brings in guests for considerate conversations about what it approach to be an American, what Americans are combating for, and what’s next for him and for all of us. 

The first episode featured Oscar-successful actor Mahershala Ali, who joined Wallace to discuss what it approach to be black men in America, fatherhood within the time of Trump, and affirming grace within the face of adversity. 

You must maybe be acutely conscious of this episode within the participant above after which subscribe in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. You must maybe moreover ranking paunchy episodes on Fb Look.

Practice the level to on Twitter @closershow.