Say no more

it was workin’ for me, wasn’t it? it was savin’ my ass for one more damn day, in the middle of nothin’, to take just one more step, to survive just one more piece of news coming from home, to fake-smile just one more time my mom askin’ “are you comin’ home?” to remember what […]

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The Joy of Pain

I’m addicted to you, my precious pain. You’re my best friend forever, always been, you’re the most authentic possession of mine, Let them call me fake, let them mock my accent, and mispronounce my name. Let them shout “go back to your fucking country!”, ’cause I always smile and shout back “this is stolen land, […]

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‘eh’ as in Avareh

مسافر، مهاجر، آواره. Won’t need more than that three in my herstory notebook, of the pain of being, Don’t dare to write the three down, You really think it matters at all to anyone ever lived in the stolen land? What were you thinking, in that stolen body of yours? Your hands smell like leaving […]

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As strong as you are

to all of us who couldn’t see our families this year because of the pandemic if you’re kind enough to not be traveling home this summer, you should be so proud of yourself; if you’re an international student, missing your family so much but stay where you are to keep your neighbors safe both here […]

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As inspiring as a poem

This poem by Lemn Sissay is one of the best things I learned, felt, and enjoyed at the University of Manchester during ESA (European Sociological Association) conference this past summer. Making a Difference (a poem to be read aloud) We are shaking and waking and breaking indifference We are quaking and taking and making a […]

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As open(-minded) as ocean

I did a few information interviews with PhD students, both inside Sociology Department and outside, in the last year of my master’s to have a sense of what to do and what not to do in a PhD program. It was quite helpful to ask people about their experiences, hopes and dreams when they started […]

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As sympathetic as an honest tear

If there is only one thing that I’ve learned so far from helping/supporting individuals struggling with difficult situations that thing is: try not to be a jerk; please don’t make fun of people’s pain; please don’t judge people for the behavior, situation, or words that has broken their heart; please never tease a person who […]

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As hopeful as the sky

Last weekend I was traveling to the gorgeous Banff for an amazing workshop (which I’ll write about in a few days). From the moment that I put my luggage in the baggage compartment and got to the bus, I realized that it’s not a regular bus! That was because I was greeted by a very […]

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As grateful as soil

Have you ever encountered situations where people come to you and ask you to do them a favor and then disappear? Maybe they are too busy and then, you won’t remember them either. However, a few weeks/months later, again they show up in your life/inbox, and ask you to do something else for them. Then, […]

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