HERE

By James Anthony

It’s August 1995 and Meskerem, a first generation Ethiopian American girl, is starting her first day of middle school. As she takes her seat, she quickly finds herself singled out following a polarizing exchange with her teacher that leaves her feeling isolated and ostracized. After learning what Meskerem has encountered at school, her immigrant mother reminds her to never allow her identity to be stripped away by the world...a lesson that stays with Meskerem for years to come.