Yesterday, I was sitting with the Syrian family I posted about last week.They still don’t have their SNAP card, and really it probably will be another two weeks before they get it. We were having coffee, and everyone is sitting around pointing at thing to practice the English (esp. American accent). I told the mom … More Grocery Shopping (Refugee Stories)
I thought I’d share this very interesting blog I just read. I think it’s worthwhile and thought provoking, especially to the question of: where were our parents? I’d love to hear your comments on this piece, so please do! Being that white supremacists always preferred hoods and masks, nothing really has changed. Instead of preferring … More What Ever Happened to all the Old Racist Whites from those Civil Rights Photos?
In almost every instance of someone converting to a different religion, evaluating how their family will react is a significant factor. Some people choose to keep it quiet for awhile, some choose to announce their conversion right away, while some never reveal. For me, I chose the “keep it quiet for awhile” route. I knew … More When Family Goes Right…
It’s Holocaust Memorial Day. Millions of Poles (including my family), Jews, LGBTQ, scientists, black, and disabled humans were slaughtered. Murdered by fascist wrecks of humanity. If you ever read the Diary of Anne Frank and said “I would have stopped it”, this is your time. Need help deciding what to do? Call your representatives, demonstrate, … More It’s OUR time.
I was with an Afghani refugee family that had just arrived 10 days prior. I stopped by to deliver some pots and pans to them, because it was only their third day in their apartment. It’s a mom and her four teenage kids. There was another Afghani family there, who arrived six months ago. Luckily, … More Soft hearts.
If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” – MLKj Today is a moment in history. Some people are rejoicing, some people are grieving. Today, I’m going to turn my head as the 45th President of the United States of America is sworn into office, fully knowing that … More If I cannot do great things…
Syrian refugees coming to the United States face a lot of problems, but one of the biggest problems faced by those settling in Metro-Detroit is that they don’t have cars. We have virtually no public transportation, and we’ve really developed around the nickname “Motor City”. Nearly everyone in Detroit and Metro-Detroit owns their own car … More Syrian Refugee Stories #3
The Syrians who are granted refugee status in the U.S. don’t come here and magically have homes. Most of the Syrians that arrive in the Metro-Detroit area are being processed through Jordan, and are given a small stipend to offset costs they’ll face upon their arrival to the U.S. These stipends should be able … More Syrian Refugee Stories #2
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m a white, able bodied, second generation college student who was raised in a middle class suburban family. I’m well aware of the privilege that comes with that. I know. At the same time, I’m a working class, covered Muslim, female with some mental health issues. … More Intersections of Privilege
I spent another day dropping items and visiting with new Syrian families. I want to tell you some of their stories when I see them. One of the families just arrived 5 days ago – a couple and their five kids. They’re 9-17 years old. They were by far the most cheerful family I’ve seen … More Syrian Refugee Stories #1
