358: Lessons from Malcolm X’s Travels, Black-American Expatriation, Living in Cairo, and Building Global Solidarity with Imani Bashir

Episode Summary

Learn about being a Black Muslim activist in the U.S., meeting Malcolm X’s daughter, moving abroad and living in Cairo. Imani Bashir joins Matt in Washington, DC and they reflect on their Keynote panel at Nomadness Fest and their experience meeting Malcolm X’s daughter there.  Imani breaks down the neocolonial dynamics that often pervade the travel industry and travel journalism, and then offers tips on how be a more socially conscious traveler and content creator.  Next, she talks about the history of Islam in Black America, her experience navigating her Black and Muslim identities in the U.S., her experience after 9-11, and how her father raised her in an activist home.  Imani then talks about her commitment to Palestine solidarity work and reflects on the history of Palestine solidarity within Black American and other anti-colonial struggles around the world.  She then takes us on her personal journey attending an HBCU, getting her first passport, the impact of visiting London, and recognizing the beauty of immigrant communities.  Finally, Imani reflects on the history of Black-American expatriation, how the death of Sandra Bland motivated her to move out of the U.S., and her lessons and reflections from living in Cairo, Egypt.

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Imani Bashir

Imani Bashir is a travel journalist, storyteller, mother, political activist, and the communications director at Resist – a non-profit organization that provides funding to grassroots social movements that are building towards collective liberation.  With over 400,000 followers on social media, her travel content has focused on what it’s like to live abroad as a Black, Muslim digital nomad and has consistently amplified the struggles of marginalized people worldwide.  Born and raised in the U.S., Imani has lived in 5 countries, gave birth in Poland, and has spoken on stages around the world including Essence Fest, Women’s Travel Fest, Black Travel Summit, and was on the Keynote panel at the 2024 Nomadness Fest.  She has been a long time supporter of the Palestinian liberation struggle, and co-authored the “Travel Industry for Palestine” petition.  Her travel journalism has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, NBC, BBC, Travel and Leisure, and more.

What You'll Learn
  • How neocolonialism pervades the travel industry and travel journalism
  • How expatriation and world travel shaped the lives of prominent Black American activists
  • How to be a more socially conscious traveler and content creator
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Time Stamped Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

[1:24] Introducing Imani Bashir

[3:09] Matt and Imani’s Keynote Panel alt Nomadness Fest 2024

[5:04] The Neocolonial Dynamics in the Travel Industry and Travel Journalism

[8:19] Tips for Being a More Socially Conscious Traveler and Content Creator

[14:18] Matt’s Reflections on Meeting Malcolm X’s Daughter, Ambassador Shabazz

[16:39] Imani’s Reflections on Meeting Malcolm X’s Daughter, Ambassador Shabazz

[20:02] The History of Islam in Black America

[22:56] Navigating her Black and Muslim Identities Growing up in PG County, Maryland

[26:33] How Imani’s Father Raised Her to Be a Political Activist

[29:21] Imani’s Experience After in the Aftermath of the 9/11 Attacks

[31:19] Imani’s Palestine Solidarity Work

[38:07] The impact of attending an HBCU

[42:17] Getting Her First Passport and Visiting London

[45:41] The Beauty of Immigrant Communities in London and Around the World

[51:26] The History and Power of Black-American Expatriation

[55:06] How the Murder of Sandra Bland Motivated Imani’s Move to Cairo

[59:32] Living in Cairo, Egypt