I remember the fun I had as a teacher many years ago whenever I would assign my students the article “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema.” It’s a masterwork of stepping back and looking at our own culture through the innocent and fresh eyes of an anthropologist. The conversations that ensued were always filled with surprise […]

Almost 2 years ago, I had this funny experience, which felt a little bit like realizing I had a nose on my face. Here’s how it went. I noticed Sumaya was doing all sorts of unusual “exercises,” often with accompanying sounds that I wasn’t used to hearing her make. From the other room, I’d hear […]