Farah Al Chammas

On December 24, 2012, my heart was filled with joy, my mind still replaying the Christmas carols from the choir recital that I had just left with my parents and siblings. It was my last recital with the choir that I had been basically living with for eight years. And though I didn't know it yet, it would also be the last Christmas with Dad, at home in Syria.

The one sentence, spoken by my sister, that was enough to transform the lives of my family. The one sentence that will never escape my mother’s memory, and the one that brought me here today. Almost three years ago, my sister Maria was nearly shot following a terrorist attack near our school in Damascus, Syria. Today, I sit in Woodruff Library of Emory University and wipe away the tears as I reflect on the journey that completely transformed my life.

This morning Emory Black Student Alliance (BSA) posted a message of solidarity on their Facebook page encouraging students everywhere to show support for minorities by using the hashtag #1969not1836. The message reads: “We, the Black Student Alliance at Emory University stand in solidarity with the Black and Brown students at Emory, against the intimidation, lies, and deeply rooted racism that people of color continue to face – on their campus, nationwide and globally.