Anand Pandian

In a thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Anand Pandian, a professor of anthropology at Johns Hopkins University and author of 'Something Between Us,' delves into the everyday walls dividing Americans. He draws on James Baldwin's insights to explore how our environments foster loneliness and disconnection. The discussion highlights the 'Shedding Walls' movement, emphasizing activism's role in rebuilding empathy. With anecdotes contrasting urban vibrancy and suburban solitude, Pandian advocates for simple acts that bridge divides and foster community connections in an increasingly polarized world.

Anand Pandian, a Johns Hopkins anthropology professor and author of 'Something Between Us', takes listeners on a journey through America's everyday walls. He discusses how common spaces like swimming pools reflect deeper societal divisions shaped by race, class, and ideology. Using his ethnographic approach, Pandian highlights the importance of understanding these barriers while advocating for collective political action. His insights on the pink tax and the power of unlikely alliances reveal pathways to bridge divides and foster unity across diverse communities.