While procrastinating, I decided to Google myself (which is a valid thing to do, don't be rude). I found that an essay I wrote as part of a scholarship application two years ago had been posted by the scholarship organization. As it turns out, they had told us they would post our essays, but I … Continue reading Iqra: The Command to Read
On the fallacy of apolitical policy
Before you read this post, please consider donating to and otherwise furthering the hard work of Black organizers across the United States, as well as demanding justice and accountability for the Black people killed by law enforcement and white supremacy. Let's talk about policy. Let's get political. Recently, some colleagues and I created and began … Continue reading On the fallacy of apolitical policy
On resilience, again
(This might be a hard read, since it is a direct response to the horrible, tragic passenger plane crash that happened in Karachi on May 22nd, 2020, and is informed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is sloppy, and messy, and emotional, and angry in ways that are perhaps unwarranted, but I can at least … Continue reading On resilience, again
Ghazal for Laylat-Ul-Qadr
*gasp* A poem? On WaxesPoetic? "But Neiha," I hear you say, "I thought you said you wouldn't be-" Yes. I know. But exceptions prove the rule, and I was very sweetly asked to share this poem somewhere on social media more than once today, and - most importantly - it's a poem about Laylat-ul-Qadr, my … Continue reading Ghazal for Laylat-Ul-Qadr
Going home to Janelle Monae
Let me just say as the vibe for this post, I meant to type "Wordpress" and typed "LiveJournal" into my browser instead. So that's where my mind is, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, towards the end of my first year as a graduate student, on the eve (not really, but it sounds prettier … Continue reading Going home to Janelle Monae
Warning: Bummer of a blog-post
All my life, I have told myself to wait for the future. I have invested in my future both resources and my own emotions. That’s a pretty banal thing to say, in its ordinary meaning. We all do this. But I have done it to such an extent that I have failed - or at … Continue reading Warning: Bummer of a blog-post
Grief
One of my best and oldest friends died two days after I got engaged. I had known her for 12 years, since I was about 13 and she was 14. We met the way a lot of people increasingly meet now - online, in silly circumstances that don't require recounting now that I'm in my … Continue reading Grief
Review: Norman F-cking Rockwell
Years and years ago, I used to publish music reviews on this blog. They were usually my most engaged-with posts, albeit before "engagement" was as much of a buzzword as it is now. But the reason I posted those reviews was not for engagement purposes. I was at an important moment in my life, passing … Continue reading Review: Norman F-cking Rockwell
Short note: the fallacy of being enough
I should lead with the fact that as of beginning this blog post, it is 5:43am. I am - unshockingly, and despite my best efforts - jetlagged. I don't feel guilty about this fact; it just is. But attempting to fall asleep in vain has meant lying awake with my intrusive thoughts. I don't mind … Continue reading Short note: the fallacy of being enough
Growth and change: Soliciting feedback
Dear readers, This reads much like an ending. I promise, it is definitely not that. For the first time in a few years, this summer, I well-and-truly get to have a summer. In the fall, I'll be starting my graduate program, the Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at The Fletcher School at Tufts … Continue reading Growth and change: Soliciting feedback
