359: Traveling the World as a Black Muslim Digital Nomad, Giving Birth in Poland, and Raising Globally Conscious Kids with Imani Bashir

Episode Summary

Hear about living in China, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico as a Black Muslim woman & raising her son in multiple countries. In part 2 of this interview Imani talks about her experience living in China, Poland, Malaysia and Mexico. She tells stories about how many of these places defied stereotypes and how warmly she was received and treated in Poland when she gave birth there.  Imani then reflects on raising her son across multiple countries and how living abroad has impacted him as a person.  She also reflects on the development of her own politics of collective liberation, how she maintains long-term activist stamina, and how we can all rise to meet this historical moment despite feeling overwhelmed.  Imani then talks about her current role as a co-director at “Resist” and the storytelling and communications work she does.  She explains the history of the organization, their present day work in supporting grassroots initiatives, and how you can support their work.  Imani then reflects on how her travel and activism are so integrally intertwined.  She shares tips on raising socially conscious kids, standing in better solidarity with marginalized groups, and offers specific advice to Black and Muslim women travelers.  Finally, Imani reflects on why she continues to travel and what travel means to her today.

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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
  • What it’s like living in China, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico as a Black Muslim woman
  • How to raise kids who are globally conscious of other struggles and cultures
  • How to maintain long-term activist stamina and rise to meet this historical moment
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PLACES IN CHINA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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PLACES IN MALAYSIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

HOWARD ZINN’S BOOK MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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Time Stamped Show Notes

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

[1:46] Living in China

[4:28] Giving Birth in Poland

[10:49] Living in Malaysia

[15:59] Living in Mexico

[19:42] Raising Kids Across Multiple Countries

[21:52] How Living Abroad Has Impacted Imani as a Person

[24:22] Developing a Politics of Collective Liberation

[27:53] Advocacy Strategies of Confrontation vs. Education

[28:57] Rising to Meet this Historical Moment Despite Feeling Overwhelmed

[33:21] Tips for Long Term Activist Stamina

[36:28] The History of the Non-Profit Organization “Resist”

[38:26] Imani’s Storytelling and Communications Work at “Resist”

[40:01] How to Learn More, Donate and Support “Resist”

[40:52] Intertwining Travel and Activism

[43:28] Raising Socially Conscious Kids

[49:48] How to Stand in Better Solidarity with Marginalized Groups as we Travel

[51:58] Tips for Black and Muslim Women Travelers

[54:21] What Travel Means to Imani

[55:53] The Lightning Round

[1:01:38] Contact and Follow Imani