As an immigrant of sorts [I was born in NYC but grew up in India], with strong leanings to both the East Indian culture and the American way of life, I didn't, however, want to live a hyphenated existence.

Earlier this year, I signed on as the Image Editor for InTheFray a website run entirely by volunteers from different walks of life and in different parts of the country. The site's core mission is to tackle issues of identity and community in a diasporic milieu. While we may ping pong between terms such as “tossed salad” or “cup of soup” to describe the immigrant experience in America today, InTheFray attempts to help me make some sense of the various interactions and social relationships we maintain.

InTheFray needs your input, however. It seeks your writing and photography. And I am sending this call out to anybody who is interested in getting their work exhibited on a nationally known web site. While we may not be able to compensate you financially, the site does attract at least 10,000 unique visitors each month. That's a lot of eye balls, folks!

If you are interested in sending your work in, please first read our contributor policies posted here. This page also describes the four channels of the magazine — IDENTIFY, IMAGINE, INTERACT, and IMAGE — that accept content from contributors.

Each of these channels needs art and/or photographs for the stories they feature (usually about 1 photo/image for every 1,000 words). The IMAGE Channel, which is our visual arts section, features photo essays and other visual essays.

Please let me know whether you are more interested in contributing a photo essay to IMAGE or whether you would like to contribute photos on an as-needed basis for the other channels. If you're interested in contributing to IMAGE, please e-mail me, about your specific story ideas. If you are interested in contributing art and/or photos for the rest of our site, please contact Laura Pohl, our Art Director with your specific questions and ideas.

Rest assured while we are based in the US, InTheFray isn't an American-centric project. Currently on display, in the IMAGE channel, is a interesting photo essay on Tibetan exiles in Dhamasala, India.

Here are a couple of CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS worthy of your attention:

Monsoon Magazine is looking for “artwork, autobiographical sketches, essays, fiction, interviews, photography, poetry, reviews, and translations ranging from earthy to experimental.“

Catamaran Magazine seeks your “submissions of plays, poetry, short fiction, book and film reviews, essays, travelogues and photography. “

I just saw the teaser for the Jayson Blair interview on Dateline NBC. For those of us blessed to watch American television (I mean that with a pinch of sarcasm, of course), it runs tonight at 8 p.m. EST.

Jayson Blair is the outed New York Times journalist who fabricated a slew of stories. It could be an interesting hour with Mr. Blair, especially for those of us who are in the business of journalism. It's definitely an hour to reflect on what NOT to do. I can't imagine a photojournalist making up images (or manipulating them) for publication for as long as Blair did with his writing. The Gray Lady must have been asleep!

Via Eyebeam reBlog

Photographers and film makers belly aching over the lack of resources and finances? Creative Capital 2004 Grants in Visual Arts and Film/Video announced.

Via Simran Bhatia

Awaaz Magazine is launching with a new focus group! We're aiming to cater to South Asians in the 18-25 age group and address issues in the realm of Politics, Economics, Entertainment, Sports, Communications and other genres specific to the college or graduate student/young professional. To make our communications more effective we're looking for writers, editors and those interested in events management, or web positions from/near this age group. For those individuals who are interested (or have questions) please check out our website, for currently available positions, descriptions and requirements.

Tiffinbox posts notices for volunteer opportunities/jobs/internships as a service. We do not verify or guarantee the accuracy of the information presented, nor do we make any representations or endorsements conveying the background or reputation of the parties listing positions. Any reliance on the posted information is the sole responsibility of the user, who holds Tiffinbox.org harmless and releases it from any claim for damages, injury or other liability arising from the use of any of the information contained in the posted job or informational notices.