Turning Points

INSPIRE. PRESERVE. RESIST.

Our lives are defined by a series of turning points from which we learn; we grow, and we evolve. As a certified history geek, the majority of my life’s events are wrapped in historical elements that help me make sense of my lived experiences. One’s life is never linear but shaped by the memories that we choose to share. Memories born out of experience color our understanding of the world and the way we walk through it. In this piece, I will share some turning points that helped create the person I am today.

Turning point 1: Khalee Hamid (khalee: Arabic for maternal uncle)

One bit of information about me many do not know is that the first eight years of my life were spent in Richmond, VA. I was born a Southern suburban, middle-class girl surrounded by a paternal large extended family. On any given weekend, when the family gathered, we had between 20–30 kids playing outside while the women watched the latest movies via VHS, and the men smoked and drank strong Turkish coffee while they played cards until the early morning hours. Life was great! Growing up, we were one of two Muslim Palestinian families in the entire neighborhood.