All Culture
What our wishes for 2022 tell us: A letter from Times SquareNew Year鈥檚 wishes and goals are a window to society at large. Our reporter finds love high on people鈥檚 lists, along with ending the pandemic.
The snow is fake but the smiles are real: Welcome to Christmas ConFans of holiday movies gather to meet Hallmark actors, talk about the comfort of a good formulaic film, and reflect on their hopes for the genre.
In a WordWhat pasta has to do with Christmas carols"Macaronic" texts have been produced wherever cultures are bilingual or multilingual, and can combine any languages,聽not just English and Latin.
Remembering bell hooks, a beacon of light 鈥� for Black women and beyondBy imploring feminism to be something other than thin and white, she forced America to take a look in the mirror at how it treats the most vulnerable part of its population.
From 鈥楰ing Richard鈥� to 鈥楪unda鈥�: The 10 best films of 2021Monitor film critic Peter Rainer鈥檚 list of 2021鈥檚 best movies includes those that graced both big and small screens 鈥� and features some up-and-comers.
First LookWhy more women are taking on leadership roles in HinduismHindu priesthood is a domain largely populated by men.聽These women are working to open up space for change. 鈥淓very reform comes with some obstacles. But it is happening,鈥� said one female priest.
A Christmas tree for Mrs. MuellerOur class tree was the perfect gift for our widowed neighbor. It took an inside job to get it out of the classroom.
In a Word鈥楾hwart鈥� encompasses two opposing meaningsOn one hand, to聽thwart聽something is to hinder or prevent it. But in 1609, building a bridge over a river was described as 鈥渢hwarting a bank.鈥�
鈥楴ational Champions鈥� asks: Should college athletes be paid?How far would you go to stand up for a principle? The film 鈥淣ational Champions,鈥� about whether to pay college athletes, weighs the trade-offs of taking a firm stance.
Spielberg鈥檚 鈥榃est Side Story鈥�: A remake that鈥檚 a rethink, tooDirector Steven Spielberg mostly succeeds in his update of 鈥淲est Side Story,鈥� giving it new energy and authenticity, says the Monitor鈥檚 film critic.聽
First LookHow Native Americans are using video games to foster connectionIndigenous people are using a modern platform for conversations about culture: video games. As more reservations in the U.S. and Canada receive better internet connection, Native American gamers are hoping this virtual space will create connection and opportunity.
Finding their voice, and a gracious way of giving (animation)The carolers鈥� first stops left much to be desired. And so they adapted, they improvised. And they sang their way into an arena of good cheer.
A city girl鈥檚 epiphany splitting woodThe meditative quality of log splitting can lead to many brilliant ideas 鈥� ideas that must be shared. Or so it seems.
In a WordFairy tales give rise to colorful turns of phrase"Cinderella story"聽has referred to a rags-to-riches arc since the mid-19th century. It's a made-up phrase 鈥� but we all know what it means.
What made albums notable in 2021? Music that connects people.How did a pandemic year affect new music? Standout 2021 albums have forged a heart-to-heart connection that鈥檚 lifted up artists and listeners alike.
You call that 鈥榳eather鈥�? A Kansan and Californian debate.The weather in Kansas is intriguing, if not always pleasant. California鈥檚 is delightful, but repetitive.聽
Cover StoryPulling punchlines: Comedy can be offensive. But should it be reined in?Amid the push and pull of cancel culture versus free speech, is it possible for humor to still be a uniting force, instead of a divisive聽one?
In a WordThe Greeks put the 'meta' in 'metaverse'In English, a聽metaphor聽is a figure of speech that asserts one thing 鈥渋s鈥� another.聽In Greek,聽metaphoreis聽are the people who move your furniture.
Thanksgiving in a can? The holiday鈥檚 edible controversies explained.We don鈥檛 know what the Pilgrims and Wampanoags ate 400 years ago. But we鈥檝e sure got opinions about what counts as a 鈥渞eal鈥� Thanksgiving dish now.
Early settlers loved the pumpkin. But it was Mexico鈥檚 favorite first.Looking for something different this Thanksgiving? Try this recipe for calabaza en tacha 鈥� Mexican candied pumpkin.
