What are you reading on the subway or in the waiting room today?
I am currently living in Patan, Nepal, so when I am not commuting to work on my bike, I am reading The Sellout by Paul Beatty.
What book popped for you in 2016?
A little late to the game, but I read A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, and cannot stop thinking about it. Still get chills at random points of the day.
Whose words do you return to regularly?
I often return to James Baldwin when I need to reflect on my surroundings and the current state of affairs.
Is there an author you can’t wait to read next?
I look forward to revisiting Colson Whitehead’s work. I loved Zone One and am hoping to start his latest book Underground Railroad.
What are you working on now?
In terms of work, I am writing articles for my organization, World Education Nepal, about improving girls’ education for marginalized communities in Nepal. In addition, I am working on a personal essay about my experience as a woman of color in the outdoor activity space (ex: hiking, rafting, bicycling, etc).
What do you hope your work for the VIDA Count will achieve?
To push publications to see how important inclusion is in the literary world. Too often, marginalized voices get overlooked.
Have you witnessed any of the effects of the VIDA Count in the literary world?
Yes! I have seen many editors online commit to include more authors of marginalized backgrounds into their publications. Also, I have read several articles where VIDA has been cited as an influence in changing a publication’s direction.
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Christina Djossa is a George Washington University graduate (BA International Affairs and Japanese Language & Culture) and a Princeton in Asia Fellow living in Kathmandu, Nepal. A native New Yorker, Christina is a freelance writer, a podcast buff and a comic book lover. When she isn’t exploring Nepal, you can find her eating dal bhat and navigating the Kathmandu streets on her mountain bike called Venus. She writes about representation in pop culture and women of color living abroad. You can find her writing at unchronicled.com.