Crosswords and Immigration
“Can Crosswords Be More Inclusive?” This is the question posed by Natan Last in the latest issue of The New Yorker.
As an immigration advocate and amateur linguist, I found this article to be not only fascinating but also truly fun to read! Last creatively intertwines a history of crosswords in the English-speaking world with the immigration story of a crossword aficionado from India, Mangesh Ghogre, who was granted a so-called “genius visa” allowing him to immigrate to the United States based on his extraordinary ability in creating crossword puzzles.
Sound far-fetched? Read the article and it will all make sense. Last convincingly makes the case that “crosswords, culture and immigration are inextricable” in the history of the United States. Who knew?