By Evette JahangiriThe second season of Euphoria came to an explosive end, leaving viewers with a mixed bag of emotions. While we were introduced to a variety of new characters this season, we also got to see the return of some of our favorites. Among them, we saw the return of Ali, Rue’s sponsor and mentor in rehab. Ali…
By Evette JahangiriIn 2021, the world watched as the United States withdrew from Afghanistan and the government in Afghanistan collapsed. Several countries suspended aid to Afghanistan, and the United States froze nearly 7 billion in assets from Afghanistan’s central bank. Now President Biden has unfrozen the funds and is allowing them to be distributed inside Afghanistan, but not…
By Evette JahangiriFebruary 2022 has arrived with its obnoxious displays of flowers, chocolates, and gifts, painting every store some odd shades of red, pink, and white. Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and we are reminded, yet again, of love and heartbreak. This is also the time for women to reminisce (or get over) their ex, celebrate…
By Evette JahangiriGrowing up, people always told me you never know a good thing until it’s gone Like a child, I didn’t listen I grew up thinking good and bad were as simple as the sun and moon I didn’t realize good and bad were more like cloudy days Abandoned playgrounds Overrun weeds Maybe if I had…
By Evette JahangiriThe first call to prayer was said 1400 years ago The first call to prayer was said by Bilal Once enslaved, now a free Black man This is his story You were born into slavery To a master who worshiped idols One day you heard of a man Who taught that every human was equal…
By Evette JahangiriOn January 21, 2022, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States cut the power in Yemen for four days after Saudi-led airstrikes on the country. The internet outage affected the emergency services and people were not able to contact their loved ones. The war in Yemen has entered its seventh year, and with the…
By Evette JahangiriWith every new year comes new goals. We look to the new year for change and growth. So, to motivate ourselves, we often do something dramatic. This year, Europe’s middle child, France, started the new year by passing another law attacking hijab. France is now banning Muslim women from wearing the hijab in sports competitions….
By Evette JahangiriOn Sunday, January 9, 2022, families in the 19-story Twin Parks North West Building in the Bronx, New York City, woke up to flames. An electric space heater had caught fire in a duplex; the doors of the apartment and the stairwell were open, even though the doors were supposed to close automatically. The smoke spread quickly to other floors. The building turned into an inferno…
By Evette JahangiriThe kaftan (also known as caftan) originated in Ancient Mesopotamia. The garment style is traditionally a narrow cut, long robe with full sleeves either with a deep neck or open to the floor. The defining feature of the kaftan, not to confuse it with other styles of dress that are similar, is its long sleeves….
By Evette JahangiriDon’t stay out too late. Pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t have headphones in when you’re jogging. Watch your drink at all times. Don’t drink too much. Carry pepper spray or a pocket knife. Lock your car doors. Don’t get on elevators alone. Travel in groups. Share your location with a friend. Watch what you…
By Evette JahangiriAn image can trigger the survivor’s guilt; it also can be a video, a sound, or even a person. Just like the trauma is not a uniform experience, what triggers trauma is different for everyone as well. Survivor’s guilt is a psychological phenomenon that affects people who have survived a life-threatening event. A person who…
By Evette JahangiriI once asked my grandmother Why do bad things happen to good people? She simply responded God gives the most hardship to the strongest people he knows. Years ago My parents fled a war zone Left the sound of bombs and bullets Braved the air land and sea In order to come here Build their homes from…
By Evette JahangiriIn April 2020, Saman Abbas disappeared. She had been thrown out of her family home because she refused to go through with an arranged marriage to a man in Pakistan. In May of 2020, when social services arrived at her home, Saman was still missing, and her parents had returned to Pakistan. An investigation led…
By Evette JahangiriThe European Union is worried that the Afghan refugee crisis will be a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis. Greece is worried that this will be a repeat of 2015 where they had a million refugees pass through their borders from Turkey before traveling to other countries. Greece completed a border wall on its border…
By Evette JahangiriThis poem is dedicated to Alan Kurdi and all the other children that have lost their lives at sea. Whenever a child has a nightmare We speak the dream into water Water will lure away the mare and only leave night behind We have spoken all our dreams into water Be it a faucet or a river The hope that our…
