On Saturday, November 2nd, I participated in the AFSP 13th Annual DC Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention for the 5th consecutive year. By the time the event began, AFSP raised approximately $315,000 with the goal to reach $350,000 this year!The funds go towards research and advocacy, training, and community awareness among Read More
Category: Mental Health
10 Years: Reflections on A Decade of “Living the Dream” in America’s Nation’s Capital
“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” – Anais Nin Last Tuesday, Oct 9, 2019, I celebrated my 10th Anniversary with our beloved Washington, DC … For it was on Oct Read More
Reflecting on Five Years Running the DC Gaza 5K
Today I ran my 5th Consecutive Gaza 5K in Washington, DC!!! Year Five of the DC Gaza 5k warrants some deep reflections, but this post will have to be brief. I have written seldom on this blog the past year, as I’ve been consumed by my doctorate studies… but I remain committed to sharing some Read More
Thirty-Five Years – Reflecting on Dreams, Fears, and Tears…
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” – Edgar Allan Poe Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. – Langston Hughes Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who Read More
The Ultimate Brown Girl Power: “Good Girls Marry Doctors”
“Good Girls marry doctors, it’s true, especially in the Desi community. What, then, do Bad Girls do?” – Piyali Bhattacharya Women of color experience an array of challenges at varying levels in America, in diverse sectors, and in different elements of our social interactions. Women of color have been the center of the more recent Read More
Why I Run the UNRWA DC GAZA 5K…Take 4…
Today I ran in the GAZA 5K in Washington, DC! It was a privilege to be participating my 4th consecutive year in the DC run. Similar to the previous years, it was a beautiful experience. There were about 500 runners that raised over $160,000 for this critical cause! The Gaza 5K raises funds for community Read More
Surviving and Conquering Hate: Reflections on Arjun Sethi’s “American Hate”
“Speaking out is the most basic and vital form of resistance.” – Arjun Singh Sethi I spent some time reflecting on Arjun Sethi’s “American Hate: Survivors Speak Out,” which was published over a month ago. I also had the opportunity to hear Arjun speak about his book at the Politics and Prose in Washington, DC, Read More
Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Academia
This topic warrants more time, research, and reflection, but I want to begin sharing my initial reflections here, due to some recent experiences. I’ve been baffled by the irony of mental health stigma in our communities. Especially in my locality for the past 9 years. Washington, DC has probably some of the most “depressed” or Read More