Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'identity'

Rudresh Mahanthappa's South Asian Jazz

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:03:00 EST

Alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, son of Indian immigrants, didn't think about his ethnic identity growing up. But with his latest album Kinsmen, Mahanthappa, and other like-minded South Asian American jazz musicians, fuses American jazz with a global sound that embraces the music of India.

New Lives, New Ethnic Identity For Chinese Villagers

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:06:00 EST

Residents of a village in Sichuan province are building new lives amid the rubble of the massive earthquake that struck in May. A government plan to boost tourism means that for some, these new lives will be based on a new ethnicity.

An Elf No More, Sedaris Recalls Days In Santaland

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:24:00 EST

Crumpet the Elf is back for another Morning Edition Christmas. Crumpet is the not-so-secret identity of humorist David Sedaris, who was once a department store elf at Macy's. He wrote about the experience in his memoir The Santaland Diaries.

Indian Or Not... Fritz Scholder's Art And Identity

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:07:00 EST

Fritz Scholder was only part Native American so when he created his "Indian" series in the 1960s, he made a lot of people mad. Now, Scholder is the subject of three exhibitions across the country — including "Fritz Scholder: Indian / Not Indian," at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

Dear Santa, Confirm Your Identity

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

NPR's Scott Simon takes a moment to note that this year, the U.S. Postal Service in New York has had to change its policy of citizens answering Dear Santa letters from children. They've added a layer of anonymity.

Could Texas Lose Its Solidly Republican Identity...

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:39:00 EST

A new poll shows that the GOP is in danger of losing its dominance in Texas. With its anti-immigration rhetoric, it's losing support among Hispanic voters. Young Republicans also say they're not wedded to voting along party lines.

The AccoLade: Saudi Women Rock Out

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:55:00 EST

The conservative Islamic kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hardly a place to hear about up-and-coming rock bands, let alone an all-female one. The AccoLade has gained an international following via Facebook and MySpace. The band talks about attracting attention from religious clerics, as well as the way creating a somewhat anonymous identity online lets the band thrive in a strict society.

Leguizamo Wishes A Merry Latino Christmas

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

John Leguizamo's Christmas film, Nothing Like The Holidays, takes on traditional family themes as it spotlights generational differences within a Latino context. The award-winning comedian talks candidly about his career, his family and his identity.

Once Favored, GM's Saturn, Pontiac Struggle

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:39:00 EST

The future of several GM brands is in doubt as the automaker considers dramatic changes in order to survive. Saturn was once a darling of the company with its reliable vehicles and no-haggle pricing. Pontiac's muscle cars used to have a strong identity and a loyal following. Both brands are now in serious trouble.

'Rent' Gets A High School Makeover

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:28:00 EST

More than 50 student groups across the country are performing Jonathan Larson's edgy rock opera Rent this school year. Like the Broadway show, Rent School Edition is centered on a group of friends in the 1990s dealing with AIDS, gender identity, homosexuality, drug addiction and poverty.

Author Junot Diaz Shares Thanksgiving Memories

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Writer Junot Diaz was born in the Dominican Republic, spent his early childhood there, then his family immigrated to the United States. He spoke to Steve Inskeep as part of the Thanksgiving series on immigration and identity. Diaz remembers some of his early Thanksgiving celebrations when he was a kid.

Author Urges Investing In Obesity And Nice Legs

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:48:00 EST

Hedge fund manager James Altucher says that the way to make money with minimal stress is to invest in lasting demographic trends like identity theft, chocolate and women's legs. He discusses his new book, The Forever Portfolio and offers his top-ten stock picks.

Exclusive First Listen: Paul McCartney

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:08:00 EST

When The Fireman released its 1993 debut (the instrumental dance and electronica mix Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest), the band's identity was a mystery. U.K. music magazine Melody Maker eventually exposed it as a duo featuring the bassist and producer known as Youth and, to everyone's surprise, Paul McCartney. Now, a decade after releasing its last album, The Fireman is back with a new studio album. Hear Electric Arguments in an exclusive sneak preview of the entire album.

Black, Gay Communities Collide Over Gay Marriage

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:12:00 EST

The controversy over California's gay marriage ban, known as Prop 8, has spilled into the streets. In some places, the fight for gay rights has turned into an public indictment of African-Americans who voted in favor of the ban. Farai Chideya moderates a conversation about race and sexual identity, the proposition's impact on American politics, and the future of coalition building between blacks and gays.

Beatles' Eleanor Rigby May Be Revealed

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

The mystery around Eleanor Rigby, the main character in one of the Beatles' biggest hit songs, may be solved. The previously believed-to-be fictional character may have actually lived in the Beatles' hometown of Liverpool. A 97-year-old document for auction in London later this month may contain clues to Rigby's identity. Alex Cohen talks with the current owner of the document, Annie Mawson.

What Happens To White Supremacist Groups Now...

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

For many Americans the election of Barack Obama stands as a sign of progress. Inversely, for some white supremacists, having an African American president is deeply troubling. The Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at CSU San Bernardino discusses the reorganization of white identity groups after Sen. Obama's win.

Growing Pains Come To Harlem

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:49:00 EDT

New York City's famed black neighborhood wrestles with what the current round of gentrification means for its identity. Some residents are concerned that what once made Harlem special will soon be lost through new economic growth.

Kosher Slaughterhouse Former Manager Arrested

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

U.S. immigration agents have arrested a former manager of a kosher slaughterhouse in Iowa on immigration charges. He faces charges related to the company's hiring of illegal immigrants, including aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft.

Ex-Manager Of Iowa Meatpacking Plant Arrested

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:28:00 EDT

U.S. immigration agents have arrested a former manager of a kosher slaughterhouse on immigration charges. Shalom Rubashkin faces charges related to Agriprocessors' hiring of illegal immigrants, including aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft.

'Boy's Life' Depicts Transgendered Child's Struggle

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:34:00 EDT

In the November issue of The Atlantic Monthly, Hanna Rosin writes about a young boy who, from an early age, challenged his sexual identity. She discusses the complicated realities parents must face when children feel trapped in the wrong bodies.

King Of Kitsch Takes Over Versailles

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The first retrospective exhibit of controversial artist Jeff Koons is on display at Versailles, just outside Paris. In recent years, only a few select works of contemporary artists have been displayed there. Now, Koon's giant red aluminum lobster, vacuum cleaners and floor polishers display and giant balloon dog adorn the palace. Critics are calling it a sullying of French culture and identity.

Rabbi Describes Finding Religious Identity in Judaism

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Tell Me More gets the scoop on highlights from the latest Washington Post Magazine. This week, a story about three people devoted to different faiths: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Journalist Laura Blumenthal, who wrote the article, is joined by Rabbi Josh Burrows, who was featured in the Blumenthal's piece, to talk about the personal journey of faith, identity and religious experience.

Secrets, Lies And Murder In 'The Likeness'

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:34:00 EDT

To solve the murder of her own doppelganger, Detective Cassie Maddox assumes the dead woman's identity and enters into the complex, collective psychology of a charismatic group. Barrie Hardymon has a review.

'Little Book' Tells A Wonderfully Big Story

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:19:00 EDT

A new novel three decades in the making features time travel, screwball hidden identity plots and lively background music. Reviewer Maureen Corrigan calls The Little Book by Selden Edwards an "an ideal late-summer reading getaway."

Harps Symbolize Paraguay's National Identity

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:44:00 EDT

Legions of harpists play throughout the countryside, in the concert halls of the capital city and even in Asuncion's airport terminal. People play the instrument's 36 strings with their fingernails, and the resulting sound is the music of Paraguay — particularly when the songs are the country's traditional polkas.