Tucked away in the Nantun District of Taichung, Taiwan, Rainbow Village is more than just a vibrant collection of street art — it’s a living canvas that tells a story of resilience, hope, and the unyielding power of creativity. Originally a military dependents’ village destined for demolition, it became an artistic sanctuary thanks to the tireless brush of Huang Yung-Fu, affectionately known as “Grandpa Rainbow.” His whimsical paintings of birds, animals, and cheerful human figures transformed crumbling walls into radiant symbols of life and joy, turning an abandoned settlement into a celebration of color and imagination.
Beyond its bright facades, Rainbow Village reflects a poignant cultural narrative. The walls whisper stories of Taiwan’s history — from war and displacement to the creation of tight-knit military communities. Huang’s art preserves not just fading structures, but the collective memory of thousands of families who once called these streets home. Each painted figure honors the past, offering both locals and visitors a reminder of perseverance and cultural identity amid modernization.
Today, Rainbow Village stands as both a tourist destination and a cultural treasure, drawing visitors from around the world who marvel at its authenticity and artistic spirit. Huang’s legacy lives on through each brushstroke, a testament to how art can protect heritage, inspire connection, and turn ordinary places into extraordinary landmarks. In every corner of this colorful village, the heart of Taiwan continues to shine.
McDonald’s in Thailand is a unique blend of Western fast food and Thai culinary traditions, offering visitors and locals alike a menu that celebrates the best of both worlds. While you can still enjoy classic favorites like burgers and fries, what truly stands out are the Thai-inspired options that reflect the nation’s rich food culture. From the spicy and savory Kaprao Crispy Chicken Rice to the popular Pad Kaprao Rice, McDonald’s has seamlessly incorporated beloved Thai street food into its menu, giving a fresh twist to its global appeal.
Photo Credit: Menuinthai.com
The fusion of Western and Asian food cultures is particularly evident in the creative additions to the menu. Items like the Samurai Burger, inspired by Asian flavors, and free hot and spicy sauces ensure that every meal can be tailored to local tastes. These offerings go beyond novelty, showcasing the adaptability of a global brand to embrace and celebrate local traditions. Moreover, with prices starting at just 65 baht, McDonald’s offers an affordable and accessible way to experience the fusion of flavors, making it a hit among both budget-conscious travelers and locals.
Photo Credit: Menuinthai.com
This harmonious blending of food cultures reflects Thailand’s openness to innovation while staying rooted in its culinary heritage. McDonald’s has not only adapted to local tastes but also elevated fast food by integrating the authenticity of Thai cuisine. Whether you’re craving rice dishes, crispy chicken, or desserts with a unique twist, McDonald’s in Thailand is more than just a fast-food stop—it’s a cultural experience that delights the palate and bridges the gap between East and West.
As a Black Buddhist who grew up studying Buddhism, classical Chinese music, and the art of Japanese Bonsai, I’ve often reflected on what it means to embrace traditions that are not rooted in my ancestry. At first, I felt like an outsider, but as I listened to the stories of my elders, I began to see that expression isn’t confined to bloodlines or geography. These stories with struggle, resilience, and love—are more than personal memories; they are bridges. They connect us to our roots, to our shared humanity, and to a deeper understanding of who we are. Listening to our elders allows us to step beyond limits, and into the universal truths that bind us all.
Our elders carry within them the echoes of countless generations, each story a thread in the fabric of our collective being. When I sat with my grandparents and listened to their stories of living in the south, the KKK, the fight for freedom, perseverance, and triumph, I realized these narratives were not just about them—they were about me, too. Their resilience became a lens through which I could make sense of my bicultural journey, blending my own me-ness with diverse philosophies and arts. The wisdom of our elders reminds us that culture is not a static inheritance but a living and breathing dialogue. By honoring their experiences, we create space for healing and understanding, for ourselves and for the communities we touch.
In Buddhism, we often speak of transcending the conventional world, but this does not mean abandoning it—it means transforming it. The stories of our elders are vehicles for that transformation. They teach us compassion, resilience, and interconnectedness, serving as a guide for navigating life’s complexities. When we take the time to listen deeply, we honor their sacrifices and create a legacy of healing for future generations. Their wisdom invites us to bridge divides, to embrace diversity, and to build communities rooted in love and understanding. In this way, the stories of the past become seeds of a more harmonious future.
Without closely examining the diversity of Asian American experiences, it’s easy to miss the distinct stories of Asian Americans living with economic hardship. – Pew Research
Among the 24 million Asians in the U.S., around 2.3 million live in poverty, facing unique challenges in their pursuit of the American dream. From immigrants navigating language barriers to U.S.-born Asians striving for financial stability, the journey is far from easy. In February 2023, Pew Research Center held focus groups with adults from 11 Asian origin groups most likely to experience economic hardship. Participants, many earning near or below the federal poverty line, shared insights into their struggles and aspirations. Common themes included daily financial stress, stereotypes that Asians don’t need assistance, and a shared belief that financial security is key to achieving the American dream. These stories highlight the resilience and determination within Asian communities amid adversity.
Financial struggles are a significant part of life for many Asian Americans, as revealed in a 2022-23 survey. Participants were asked about challenges like relying on food banks, losing health insurance, struggling to pay rent or medical bills, and being unable to save for emergencies. Among Asian adults living near or below the poverty line, 79% reported experiencing at least one of these hardships in the past year, compared to 48% of those above the poverty line. The most common issue was the inability to save for emergencies, affecting 57% of those in poverty versus 40% of those with higher incomes.
Balancing family needs with limited income, focus group participants described the constant struggle of planning for the future. The pressure to provide for their children’s opportunities while securing their own retirement created a sense of urgency that shaped their financial decisions.
“I feel a bit helpless [about my financial situation]. … I don’t want to be in debt. I have to save money to raise my kids, but I don’t have money to save.”
–Immigrant man of Korean origin in early 30s (translated from Korean)
“[I save money] to go to Pakistan. Because I have four children … I needed five or six tickets, in case my husband traveled with us, and it required a lot of money. We used to save for one whole year, and when we were back from Pakistan, we were usually empty-handed. Then the cycle started again.”
–Immigrant woman of Pakistani origin in late 40s (translated from Urdu)
“You’re not going to work forever. No one is going to work forever. You want to have savings … for your rent [or] in case of medical bills [if] something happens. [You] might as well [save for] some trips down the while when you [can] travel still. But you’re not going to be working at 80 years old, are you?”
–U.S.-born man of Chinese origin in early 40s
For many, the American dream is intertwined with the concept of freedom—freedom from the weight of debt and the daily stress of meeting basic needs like rent and food, and freedom to make life choices without financial constraints. Despite economic hardships, hope persists. Among Asians living near or below the poverty line, half believe they are either on their way to achieving the American dream or have already reached it. This optimism contrasts with those above the poverty line, where a greater percentage report feeling closer to their dreams, underscoring the resilience and determination within these communities.
The pursuit of the American dream is deeply personal, yet it reflects a universal desire for stability, freedom, and opportunity. Despite the challenges of poverty, many remain hopeful, believing they are on a path toward a better future. This resilience speaks to the strength of individuals and communities striving to overcome obstacles and create lives of meaning and fulfillment. By addressing systemic barriers and supporting those in need, we can help ensure that the dream of freedom and opportunity becomes a reality for all.
Hope and determination can overcome any obstacle, lighting the path toward freedom and opportunity.
Kev cia siab thiab kev txiav txim siab tuaj yeem kov yeej txhua txoj kev nyuaj, teeb lub txoj kev mus rau kev ywj pheej thiab kev vam meej.
Living as a Black Buddhist artist immersed in a bicultural experience is a profound act of self-discovery. My heritage as a Black individual expresses resilience, creativity, and community, while my Buddhist practice offers a framework for mindfulness, compassion, and balance. These two identities do not simply coexist—they enrich and inform each other, creating a unique lens through which I experience this world. Through the teachings of lord Buddha, I’ve come to understand my cultural roots not as a separate identity but as a path in which I cultivate dharma..
As an artist, the bicultural experience manifests in the stories I tell and the mediums I use to tell them. My work is a reflection of both celebration and introspection, merging the rhythms of my heritage with the contemplative silence of my Buddhist practice. Whether through the meditative pluck of the Guzheng or the quiet resilience embedded in my poems, I strive to create art that speaks to the shared humanity between cultures. This process has taught me that self-cultivation is not about abandoning one identity to embrace another but about finding harmony in the tension, allowing each aspect of myself to bloom.
Self-cultivation within this bicultural space is an ongoing practice of loving-kindness toward myself and others. It is about embracing the complexities of my identity without judgment, cultivating wisdom through the lessons of my ancestors, and staying grounded in the present moment. As a Black Buddhist, I see my journey not only as personal liberation but also as a call to inspire others in my community to explore the depths of their identities with courage and compassion. Together, we can honor the beauty of our roots while forging new paths of creativity and cultivation.
Growing up as a Black artist deeply immersed in AAPI communities, I’ve had the unique privilege of learning from traditions that have enriched my life and artistry. My Chinese godmother from Beijing played a profound role in shaping my understanding of culture through the art of cooking. I still remember standing by her side in the kitchen as she showed me how to wrap dumplings with care, explaining the significance of each ingredient. Her stories about the dishes she grew up with connected me to a heritage that wasn’t my own by birth, but one that became a part of me through shared meals and loving mentorship. The kitchen became a sacred space where culture, history, and love blended together, teaching me the value of preserving traditions.
Another important influence in my life was an elder from the AAPI community who introduced me to the art of guzheng, the Chinese zither. The first time I touched the strings, I felt an immediate connection to its hauntingly beautiful tones and the centuries of history it carried. My teacher’s patience and dedication were inspiring as he guided me through the techniques and the cultural stories behind the music. Through this practice, I not only learned to play an instrument but also became a custodian of an art form that deserves to be celebrated. These experiences instilled in me a deep respect for the ways in which traditional arts can bridge cultural gaps and preserve histories that might otherwise be lost.
As a Black artist based in Minnesota, I’ve seen firsthand how traditional arts can build understanding and nurture creative expression. I encourage Minnesotans to engage more actively with BIPOC art forms, whether it’s attending a local Guzheng performance, joining a cooking workshop led by immigrant elders, or participating in collaborative art projects. By creating spaces where diverse traditions are honored and practiced, we not only preserve cultural legacies but also cultivate a thriving community of creativity and respect. Invest in these traditions, not just for their beauty but for the stories and connections they bring to our lives.
As a Black man navigating a bicultural identity, my life has often felt like a balancing act. On one hand, there’s the rich heritage of Black culture—our resilience, creativity, and deep sense of community. On the other, there’s the broader world, shaped by systems and norms that weren’t built with us in mind. Growing up, I often felt like I had to adjust who I was depending on where I was and who I was with. That constant adjustment took its toll, leaving me with an unspoken pressure to perform and to prove myself at all times.
The impact of living biculturally is something I didn’t fully understand until I started unpacking it. Therapy wasn’t talked about much in my community growing up, but it became a lifeline for me. It gave me the space to address feelings of invisibility—being overlooked in rooms where my voice and presence should have mattered. Meditation also played a key role in helping me ground myself, allowing me to explore who I am outside the expectations of others. I’ve learned that I don’t have to shrink parts of myself to fit in; my identity is mine to define, and it’s valid in all its complexity.
Healing has come through embracing creative expression and mindfulness. Poetry, music, and meditation have become tools for reflecting on my bicultural identity, allowing me to weave together the richness of my heritage with the realities of the present. Each act of creation—whether a poem, a melody, or a moment of stillness—serves as a bridge, transforming the complexities of living between cultures into something harmonious and inspiring. Sharing my journey through art has sparked meaningful connections with others who see themselves in my work, reminding me that our stories, though unique, often resonate deeply. My bicultural identity is not a burden but a wellspring of inspiration, offering a lens for storytelling that builds understanding, beauty, and connection where cultures meet.
Key Points
The mental health struggles of being Black with a bicultural identity
The importance of seeking therapy and practicing mindfulness
Challenging the stigma around vulnerability
Embracing biculturalism as a strength
Quote
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin
Embracing creativity and mindfulness can transform the challenges of bicultural identity into a source of healing and inspiration. – 拥抱创造力和正念，可以将双文化身份的挑战转化为治愈和灵感的源泉。
Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions worldwide and a leading cause of disability, with subclinical symptoms further impacting the wellbeing and functioning of a significant portion of the population. This highlights the need for new approaches to managing both diagnosed and subclinical cases. Recently, the relationship between nutrition and mental health has garnered attention, as studies suggest that adherence to healthy or Mediterranean dietary patterns—characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, moderate intake of poultry, eggs, and dairy, and minimal red meat—is associated with a lower risk of depression. However, these findings are complicated by the potential for reverse causality, where psychological states influence dietary choices, such as cravings for “comfort foods” during low moods or appetite changes due to stress. Additionally, individuals with longstanding mental illnesses face unique challenges to maintaining a healthy diet, including financial and environmental barriers, as well as the appetite-altering effects of psychiatric medications.
Consuming highly refined carbohydrates increases the risk of obesity and diabetes and may also negatively impact psychological wellbeing. Diets with a high glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL)—rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars—are associated with a greater incidence of depressive symptoms, as longitudinal research and clinical studies have shown. Experimental studies reveal that diets with high GL can rapidly elevate and then drop blood glucose levels, triggering the release of counter-regulatory hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which may contribute to anxiety, irritability, and hunger. Recurrent hypoglycemia linked to these dietary patterns is also associated with mood disorders. While the rapid fluctuations in blood glucose provide a plausible mechanism for these effects, other factors may also play a role. High-GI diets are a risk factor for diabetes, a condition often comorbid with depression, and both share overlapping abnormalities in insulin resistance, brain volume, and neurocognitive performance. Additionally, the inflammatory response triggered by high-GI foods may further connect such diets to symptoms of depression through links between mental health and immune activation.
A growing area of research explores how dietary patterns affect mental wellbeing through their impact on the gut microbiome—the trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and archaea, that reside in the human gut. The gut microbiome communicates bidirectionally with the brain via neural, inflammatory, and hormonal pathways. Evidence suggests its role in mental health: changes in the gut microbiome influence emotion-like behaviors in rodents, major depressive disorder in humans is linked to altered microbiomes, and transferring gut microbiota from depressed humans to rodents induces depression-like behaviors in the animals. Diet, along with genetic factors and antibiotic exposure, is a modifiable determinant of gut microbiome diversity and functionality. Diets high in saturated fats, refined sugars, and artificial sweeteners can damage the gut barrier, leading to a “leaky gut” and fostering an unhealthy microbiome, whereas diets rich in fiber, polyphenols, and unsaturated fatty acids—like the Mediterranean diet—support microbial populations that produce anti-inflammatory metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. Additionally, probiotics have shown potential in altering emotional brain responses and reducing depressive symptoms in healthy individuals. While these findings highlight the gut microbiome’s role in modulating emotion-related processes, no causal links between specific microbes or their metabolites and human emotions have been established, and it remains unclear if dietary-induced microbiome changes can directly affect depressive symptoms or disorders, or how quickly such effects might occur.
The emerging connection between diet, the gut microbiome, and mental health underscores the potential for dietary interventions to support emotional wellbeing. While promising evidence highlights how nutrient-rich diets and probiotics may influence mood through gut-brain communication, the complexity of these interactions and the lack of established causal relationships warrant further investigation. Understanding how specific dietary patterns and gut microbial changes impact depressive symptoms could open new pathways for improving mental health through accessible, nutrition-based strategies.
In Chinese folklore, two iconic emblems stand as symbols of power and peace—the mighty dragon and the gentle panda. The dragon, a noble creature from ancient times, dazzles with its shining armor and bold presence. It roars across the skies, representing sovereignty and strength, embodying the awe-inspiring energy that has captivated hearts for generations.
In contrast, the panda, with its distinctive black-and-white coat, exudes a calm and friendly demeanor. A peaceful symbol of harmony, it spends its days leisurely munching on bamboo, captivating all who encounter its gentle charm. The panda’s composed nature stands as a reminder of the value of simplicity and kindness in a world that often moves too fast.
Together, the dragon and the panda represent a balanced duality—power and grace, majesty and tranquility. As national symbols of China, they embody pride and identity, showcasing the richness of the culture they come from. The dragon soars with unbridled energy, while the panda invites us to pause and appreciate life’s serene moments.
Art has always been a lifeline for BIPOC creators—a way to reach back across time and reclaim the stories of our ancestors, stories often erased or distorted by colonization and oppression. For many, creating is not just about making something beautiful; it’s a way of finding their place in a lineage, exploring questions of identity, displacement, and belonging. Each brushstroke, verse, or frame becomes a thread in the larger tapestry of our heritage, woven anew for a modern world. This process is deeply personal, a journey of healing and reconnection that carries their roots forward into the future.
We see this vividly in the work of filmmakers like Ava DuVernay and Taika Waititi, who use their art to challenge mainstream narratives and center the voices of their communities. Their films are more than stories—they are acts of cultural preservation and defiance. Similarly, visual artists turn to the symbols and practices of their ancestors, using them to honor their lineage while creating something entirely new. Musicians, too, are keeping traditions alive, blending traditional rhythms and languages with contemporary sounds to craft music that feels both timeless and revolutionary. Their work bridges the gap between past and present, a testament to the resilience and creativity of cultures.
But this creative reclamation isn’t just about preserving the past—it’s about shaping the future. By sharing our heritage through art, we empower our communities, especially younger generations, to see the beauty and strength in their identities. They remind us all that culture isn’t something static or stuck in history—it’s a living, breathing force. It evolves, expands, and takes on new life through the hands of those who dare to remember and reimagine it. Through their work, these creators aren’t just keeping traditions alive—they’re making space for the next chapter to be written.
