A Place for Us

by Fatima Farheen Mirza

afraid to think of who he has lost. The one person in front of whom he could sin under the watch of their fathers’ God without being cast aside.

Beautifully summarizes the unique comfort diaspora kids find in each other

It is also comforting to realize her self un-witnessed is in harmony with her self seen.

This is why I can't do the whole double life survival tactic

It should be a joke, he thinks, but it isn’t—how different it is for you if you stay in line, keep your head down, do as you’re told. It is as though to be loved at all you must be obedient. To be respected you must tame yourself.

Next to him, Hadia became more aware of her choices, of what was important for her to keep and what had just been an inherited, unexamined habit.

And this is what's so valuable about leaving your bubble and welcoming connection with unfamiliar and different people