“My Voice is Not an Apology.”– Nayyirah Waheed “The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.”– Mohamed Najumi Dear Fellow Warrior, I filmed this video last month, shortly after my last poetry performance on June 10th. It took me some time to edit… someday, I’ll have…
Inclusion
The Train: A Reflection for Minority Mental Health Month
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”– Carl Jung Dear Fellow Warrior, The ideation of jumping in front of the train returned to me again today. I don’t get out much and take the train often these days, but when I do, that’s the first thing that comes…
The Art of Survival: A “Prisoner of Conscience” Speaks
Dear Fellow Warrior, The featured painting, called “Prisoner of Conscience,” connects to my poem (Prisoner of Conscience: An Ode to Solitude) that I wrote earlier this year and recently published in The Memoirist on Medium. The painting is actually also inspired by the original feature photo I chose for that poem. I’ve always preferred using…
I Finally Dreamed of My Wedding… and Woke Up to Stigma
“All the lovers I know who are not loved back, are women who have tried to write their own story.” – Warsan Shire Dear Fellow Warrior, The other night, I had a dream that I was getting married… It was the first time in my life, from what I remember, ever having a dream about…
From the “Walk of Shame” to the Path of Mercy
“Whoever tells others about the blessings of Allah has shown gratitude.” – Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (Tafsir ibn Kathir on Surah Ad-Duha) Dear Fellow Warrior, That night, after my last open mic poetry performance, as I walked back toward the metro, I reflected on all the adventures I had on U Street over…
The “Questioning?”: A Reflection on Pride
“You have to go the way your blood beats. If you don’t live the only life you have, you won’t live some other life – you won’t live any life at all.”— James Baldwin Dear Fellow Warrior, June is Pride Month. And all month, I have been struggling with something… Among the reasons why I…
Rising Unapologetically Muslim – An Islamic New Year Reflection
“Oh Allah, bring this year upon us with security, faith and safety, Islam, acceptance by the Most Merciful and protection from Shaytan.” (Mu’jam al-Awsat of at-Tabarani). Dear Fellow Warrior, This Friday marked the beginning of the Islamic New Year, 1447 AH, the blessed month of Muharram, which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called “the Month of…
The Courage to Rise in Your Power, Voice, and Presence
“My Voice is Not an Apology.”– Nayyirah Waheed “The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.”– Mohamed Najumi Dear Fellow Warrior, I recently shared my new poem, “The Choice of Return, Reclaiming the Crown.“ You can read my poem on my other Substack: “Sword Dispatch: The…