My mentorship with Diaspora Dialogues and publication in TOK led me to new experiences, ushering me into a world of finger foods and wine, book launches and literary powwows and, bizarrely enough, interviews with press and radio personnel. I say “bizarrely enough” because I am used to being on the other side of journalism – the side that asks questions and forms stories rather than the one that becomes the story.
After the publication of “Next Time,” however, I found myself the subject of a few reporters’ interests.
One interview I did was with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning show. Released on the launch date of TOK 7, it may be found online via the Metro Morning webpage.
Another one appeared in the Markham Economist and Sun, and I’ll post the link soon if it can be found online. In the meantime, my brother was kind enough to take a photo of the publication and upload it to Facebook, where comments of, “Thank God it wasn’t a Wanted poster,” began peppering his page.
An article in the Markham Economist and Sun
Though it’s odd being the subject of interviews as opposed to the interviewer, it’s definitely much easier answering questions as opposed to formulating a story, asking questions, and transcribing it after (oh, dear Lord, I’ll never miss transcribing). The one thing I feel iffy about is having my friends and family read or hear the interviews later. Somehow I feel less awkward at the thought of strangers reading about my personal life as opposed to those actually involved in my personal life. I’m not sure if that’s a feeling I can ever get accustomed to.
Either way, thank you Aparita Bhandari from CBC Radio and Simon Martin from the Markham Economist and Sun for featuring me and promoting Diaspora Dialogues on your sites and media channels. It’s been a great experience and is much appreciated.