American – Corner Office Shaikh

Black History Month: Each Year I Witness

It is Black History Month. For the past few years I have consciously worked to focus my efforts to use this month to seek out history, learn about, and be reflective of Black America, Black Islam, and issues intersecting People of Color. You may wonder why a South Asian immigrant child is so focused onContinue reading “Black History Month: Each Year I Witness”

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In the Beginning – 16 Weeks of Digital Photography Class

I love photography. At least that is how Week 1 of the digital photography class at a community college begins for me. Signing up for a class was a normal trajectory of a general lack of success on the do-it-yourself pathway. I’ve learned that I learn best, in most subjects, when given a formal classroomContinue reading “In the Beginning – 16 Weeks of Digital Photography Class”

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30 Years an [North] American

Its a bit disconcerting to be in Karachi celebrating 30 years of immigrating to the United States. Yes, you read that right. I was a little under three years old when my mom and I migrated to the United States. I was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Thirty years later, here I am celebrating my cousinsContinue reading “30 Years an [North] American”

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What’s In a Name?

While reading Junipero Serra: California’s Founding Father by Steven W. Hackel, I ran across several explanations of names in Spanish (Catholic), (religious) culture. It was reminded me of my own experiences with my “name.” I also was fascinated by the fact that Junipero Serra was not his original name, and why California’s founding father chose thisContinue reading “What’s In a Name?”

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On the Man Card, and Dislocated Mandom

I hear it often enough amongst a group of guys, “Dude, we gotta revoke your man card!” after some sort of major, or minor, unmanly behavior. The first time I heard it, I sort of stumbled at the thought of the statement. Obviously the guy was a wuss, he wasn’t “manning up,” but that wasContinue reading “On the Man Card, and Dislocated Mandom”

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Open the door, and explore

Is it sad that the Disney channel has advertisements encouraging kids to turn the TV off this summer and get outside to explore, play, or just do outdoor activities? As an adult I’m guilty of being glued inside, either on my Macbook or in front of the TV. Lately I’ve been making it a pointContinue reading “Open the door, and explore”

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The “Bear Flag Republic” Develops Young Leaders

The awesome thing about civic engagement is seeing young adults develop skills and then apply them to real life situations. Since 2005 I have had the opportunity to be part of an innovative program called the Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) which was created by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Sacramento chapter for CAIR CaliforniaContinue reading “The “Bear Flag Republic” Develops Young Leaders”

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Rent-A-Kid Memorial Day Weekend 2014

Last weekend I was out at Muslim Day, the weather was not hiking friendly. This past weekend was Memorial Day, incredibly hot, and incredibly fitting for kicking off summer because we had family over in Palmdale! By the end of the day I was too exhausted the next day to go on our planned hikeContinue reading “Rent-A-Kid Memorial Day Weekend 2014”