My family fled Afghanistan. Nightmare just starting under the Taliban.
The last of the U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan, marking the end of the United States' longest war. But this isn't the end of Afghanistan's problems. Today we have a column from Zarifa Hamidi, who's family fled the country. We also have other voices on Afghanistan, a family's fight for gun violence prevention in Texas and a teacher's take on mandating vaccines for eligible students.
My family fled Afghanistan. Nightmare just starting under the Taliban.
By Zarifa Hamidi
The Taliban – which wrestled back control in Afghanistan after the Biden administration's announcement that the United States was leaving – has haunted my family’s nightmares for more than 20 years.
In 2000, the group murdered my father and his brothers for opposing its rule. The assassinations caused my mother to flee her village with her four children. Although we were all able to seek an education in different countries, my family has not been together in years. Ultimately, my mother and brother sought asylum in India. In awful timing, the government rejected their application and demanded that they return to Afghanistan on Aug. 1, just in time to see the Taliban begin to take over the country. Every day after has been terrifying. But through the work of friends and the grace of God, they are both now safe in another Middle Eastern country.
Yet the nightmare has only begun for the millions of Afghans who are left behind and are desperately looking for ways to leave Afghanistan.
Today's Editorial Cartoon
My brother's murder: Texas leaders reject my plea for tougher gun laws
By Carla Byrne
On Aug. 31, 2019, my younger brother Joe was on his way to take family photos with his wife and two children in the car – my 11-year-old nephew and 13-year-old niece. They pulled up to a red light in Odessa, Texas.
In seconds, he was shot and killed.
In the two years since, I’ve fought for gun safety laws that could have saved my brother and would save thousands of lives.
COVID-19 vaccine mandate for high school kids would make us all safer
By Larry Strauss
Call me selfish, but I want to remain teaching in my classroom. I want to see students in person every day. I want to hear their collective laughter and be able to gauge their level of interest – or boredom – by looking at them.
Perhaps having nearly a dozen students required to quarantine after just one day of school will inspire those unvaccinated to get poked. Perhaps.
But since when have we elevated human judgment above science?
Some pieces you might've missed
- I wrote about why I got a COVID vaccination. Then I was fired from my job.
- You are our families': Gold Star father to grieving Afghanistan families
- COVID vaccinations: How to handle friends who refuse to get the jab
- 'It's your little brother': Two years after his overdose, I still listen to that voicemail
This newsletter was compiled by Jaden Amos.