Tsunami in Interest in Things Islamic & Mideastern (originally published 8/1/08)

Listen to the track “Citizen of the Planet” on Alanis Morissette’s latest album Flavors of Entanglement. The daughter of a close friend is about to leave for her college junior year abroad - in Morocco. My 14 year old’s first news memory is the planes hitting the towers. There is a tsunami of interest in all things Islamic and Mideastern coming. Just like my generation was fascinated with all things Asian (Vietnam) and my parents’ generation before me were profoundly effected by things European, our kids are wanting to understand just what these folks are all about. They are the ones who will ultimately have to make it work…and they know it. Look for these influences to move from art & music to fashion.