Thanks to Maine’s immigrants, our state made headlines in many languages in 2021. Every Mainer should be proud of the history Maine and the United States made in the last few weeks of 2021. This was the best holiday season for every single Maine immigrant. Imagine a Maine mayor whose story is published in languages […]
Through My Lens
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: New Mainers face a dismal dating scene
Dating in Maine seems to be only for those who share a common culture and goals. Most Mainers have only been exposed to people from Black and brown communities through news stories, and that seems to be one of the challenges of interracial and intercultural dating in the state. While this challenge is also true […]
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Abdi Nor Iftin’s column is a Forecaster must-read
Upon picking up The Forecaster, we find ourselves turning directly to the Opinion page to see if there is another contribution by Abdi Nor Iftin. He is a top-notch addition to your paper. His messages are always profoundly important and often enlightening. We recommend his book, “Call Me American,” to your readers. His story of […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: There will be no gifts this Christmas for those affected by climate crisis
The past few weeks had been challenging, as I had to decide between buying gifts for family and friends in Maine or sending donations to support my family and friends who are ravaged by serious water and food shortages. The recent droughts that hit parts of Somalia and Kenya are affecting 2.3 million people and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: ‘Refugee’ is a temporary status and other clarifications
This is the time of the year when we gather with our beloved family members around the dining room table or in the living room, cozy by the fireplace. Parents may see their kids come home for the holidays, relatives may gather and conversations about all topics may arise. I hope many Mainers will be […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Love thy new neighbors this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is coming soon; plan to include your new neighbors. Soon Americans will crowd airports and roads, traveling in every direction to spend time with family members on Thanksgiving, cooking delicious food and catching up on stories and movies. This is one of my favorite holidays in the United States. I enjoy sharing the meal […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Reader values Nor Iftin’s perspective
I am very grateful to Abdi Nor Iftin for his/their informative, sensitive and compelling column “Through My Lens,” on the differences in experience between and among all American children, as well as the economic disparities that surround them, during this current holiday season (“Through My Lens: New Mainers can celebrate Halloween in their own way,” […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: New Mainers can celebrate Halloween in their own way
You know Halloween is coming when ghoulish skulls and scarecrows take their places on porches, in front or back yards, or hanging from a tree. When someone asked me a few years ago what my Halloween costume would be, I had no idea. Maybe a pirate, some suggested. A pirate? The first thing I thought […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: New Mainers should embrace American sports
Local and national politics have put most recent immigrants on a trajectory of fear, withdrawal and, at times, uncertainty of the future of this country. We should not let these fears take away the moments of joy. We are in NFL season and most people can’t help but notice all the sports tweets and photos […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Letter: Reader agrees getting vaxxed is the American way
Dear Mr. Abdi Nor Iftin, I am a native Mainer, relocated to the sunnier state of Colorado, but I return annually to the Lakes Region to visit family and enjoy all that a good Maine summer has to offer. I love Maine and am continually impressed by her pragmatic politics and what I perceive as […]