The New Priest

Freepik Image Cassandra Brown stared at the priest who was standing there, praying. She hadn't heard him come in. She had been kneeling in one of the pews, praying the Rosary. He must be new. She had never seen him before and she had been coming to church every Sunday since she moved into the …

Anele and Hasani

I'm a young South African Muslim woman in my last year at the University of Cape Town. I'm studying. It was there that I met Hasani, a South African Indian Muslim. The first time I saw him, I was standing in the hallway, waiting for my friend, Mandisa. He was with a friend, an African …

Samira Nasr

In 2021, Montreal born, Samira Nasr becomes Harper Bazaar's first black editor-in-chief. She made history in the magazine's 154 year history. She took over the helm in the middle of a pandemic but after months of setbacks, the March issue debuted. She totally owned it, featuring Megan Thee Stallion on its cover. Samira's vision for the …

Aaron Goes to Church

I'm sitting across the street from where Jully's church is. I'm very nervous. It's the first time she will see me with my hair cut low. One look at me and she will know that I have black in me. Up to now she still thinks that I'm Asian and now she's going to find …

A Secret, the Past & Declarations

"You have something you want to tell me?" "Yes. It's something which I've never told anyone about." She stared at him, wondering what it could be. "Tell me what it is." "I'm Jewish." "You're Jewish?" "Yes. My father's parents were deported from Bratislava to Sered and from there to Auschwitz. They survived. My mother's parents …

Paul Visits Nita

"Hello, Nita," Paul said. She and Angie were fellow graduates of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. This was their second meeting. They met last year at the dinner party of a fellow graduate who married a wealthy businessman. He was there with Angie who wasn't at all pleased to see Nita and the feeling …

The Slave Girl

My name is Harriet. I'm the slave girl who fell in love with her white Master. I was 16 when my first Master, Mr. Hamilton leased me to Mr. Williamson, a businessman. Mr. Williamson wasn't married but there were rumors that he was courting and soon to be engaged to Miss Scarlett, a beautiful Southern …

Adaliya and Liang

It was during the summer and I was working as a waitress at a swanky restaurant. The first time he came I noticed him the moment he walked in. He didn't notice me as he made his way over to the table where a group of people were already seated. I finished serving at the …

Meant for Each Other

Rafiq was standing on the sidewalk, waiting for Joy when Ranya walked up to him.  “So, I hear that you’re married,” she said, her expression hostile as she looked up at him. Rafiq set his cup down, his eyes meeting hers squarely.  “Who told you?” “Dhara.  When were you going to tell me?” Dhara was …

Loving Lin

I leaned against the wall, feeling numb.  I was still reeling from the shock of learning that Lin was engaged.  We broke up when he said that his parents were visiting from Beijing and that they wouldn't approve of us living together.  I understood that because my parents were the same way, old-fashioned.  They always …