

"We Need to Move Beyond Race" - Iona Italia
Sep 30, 2020
Iona Italia, a writer and sub-editor at Areo Magazine known for her insights on mixed-race identities, shares her unique background and varied career, from teaching tango to writing memoirs. She discusses the complexities of racial identity, urging a shift beyond divisive identity politics. Iona critiques modern academia’s issues, including the replication crisis in psychology and political bias in publishing. Additionally, she explores the potential of Universal Basic Income to redefine success, emphasizing happiness over wealth.
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Iona Italia's Heritage
- Iona Italia's father was an Indian-born Parsi who moved to Pakistan in the 60s.
- Her mother is Scottish, and Italia moved to the UK in her early teens.
Career Shift
- Iona Italia left academia in 2006 to teach tango in Buenos Aires.
- She later transitioned to writing and editing, working with Areo Magazine and Persuasion.
Obsession with Race
- An obsession with race distracts from broader societal issues like poverty and poor housing.
- Focusing on race can hinder effective solutions for those in need.