Erica’s Story. The news bothered me. No one could–or wanted to–deny the fact that repeated and terrible acts were being perpetrated in the name of Islam by extremists. But the broad brushing of all Muslims as security risks and the fear-mongering...
I wrote this several years ago as part of a 10-piece series called “My Top Mentors” and I repost it now with great joy and sadness. —– As a five year old in Kindergarten, I already felt like an “Evangelist.” During “show and tell” I’d always ask the other...
Joel’s story. Afghani, Sudanese, Iraqi, Syrian, Rwandan…these were the nationalities of the refugees who gathered at English Club on Thursday nights. Faithfully they came to the apartment clubhouse, week-in, week-out, hoping to practice their beginning...
Ty’s Story. A group of us had started visiting a “refugee complex” regularly. We weren’t part of any formal effort, but each of us had a concern for the welfare of the growing refugee population in our city and a desire to be where we thought...
Michal’s story. My heart was pounding in my chest. I slowly felt my body heating up and my mind was racing. This is it, I thought. This was a test. What was I going to do? Was I going to be a spectator and stay silent, letting the words of hatred, prejudice, and...
