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Articles by Shirin Zarqa-Lederman

About Shirin Zarqa-Lederman
Shirin Zarqa-Lederman was raised in NJ by her Palestinian Muslim parents and later married her Russian Jewish husband. Together they have five interethnic children who experience the traditional customs of both cultures with their extended interethnic relatives. Shirin is also Licensed Professional Counselor, focusing on Child & Adolescent Psychology, and has written her own children’s picture book series, "The Trotters of Tweeville," which is focused on demonstrating kindness to children. The series is available wherever books are sold.

I’m a Semite too

February 13, 2019 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 1

I’d really like to know why people seem to think that the Boycott Divest and Sanction Movement (BDS) is anti-Semitic. I’d also like to know […]

One-State, Two-State, Red State, Blue State

November 21, 2018 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 0

Though midterm elections night focused heavily on the polarizing politics of a two-party system, the winners of the night–whether republican or democrat–were those of us […]

Nikki Haley: Not confused? Possibly Delusional

April 24, 2018 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 6

Every time I hear Nikki Haley’s voice, something happens. Even as a psych student, I am not sure that I can explain it. It kind […]

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Taking Hummus Back

January 1, 2018 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 2

In case you haven’t noticed, the Israeli PR machine has this rabid reaction when the rhetoric surrounding Palestine has the slightest twinge of favorability to […]

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Settlements are far from settling

April 4, 2017 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 2

Each time I hear a commentator say that Israeli “settlements do not impede peace,” I throw up in my mouth a little…for a couple of […]

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Palestein in my house

March 18, 2017 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 1

So our favorite “smart and funny” Arab, Amer Zahr, gave you a utopian society in which Palestinians and Israelis get rich together, share the same […]

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Secretary Kerry, there could have never been a two-state solution

January 9, 2017 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 3

Though many rejoiced listening to Secretary Kerry’s speech at the end of December, I’ve been walking around rather disenchanted. There’s no denying that his 72-minute diatribe […]

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The facade of freedom

November 9, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 0

On election night, I fell asleep early. I was certain my candidate was not going to win. I knew that the world was not ready […]

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Childhood in the Holy Land

August 26, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 0

The path to school is one of those things that almost everyone can agree needs to be safe. Everyone except for Israel, that is. Palestinian children […]

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I’m a Dem, but Hillary is no champion to me

August 3, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 1

The Democratic convention is over, and my grieving process has began. I became an “unaffiliated” voter. It sort of brought a tear to my eye, […]

Hillary and Donald, BFFs forever and ever

June 9, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 1

According to the Center of American Women in Politics, in 2012, 64% of women and 60% of men voted. Racial demographics according to the Pew Research […]

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This election is a reality show, and Bernie isn’t a contestant

April 29, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 1

Hillary Clinton supporters seem to miss a fundamental difference between her and Bernie Sanders. It’s called integrity. Integrity is a value that is fundamental to […]

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Hillary strikes out in New York

April 12, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 0

New York, its time to talk baseball. It’s the World Series. It’s the bottom of the ninth inning and the bases loaded. Who do you […]

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They don’t hate our freedom

March 23, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 10

I’m not sure I will ever understand the double standard. I’m not sure that I will ever understand what makes one life more valuable than […]

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My Arab American vote? Trump before Clinton

March 15, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 1

Why would anyone vote for Trump over Clinton?  Why would a minority vote for Trump?  Truthfully? Revenge! Madam Secretary stood by while 500 Palestinian children were ripped […]

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An Arab American in the voting booth

March 9, 2016 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman 0

Growing up Arab in America colors the lens of my worldview. Regardless of where your “Arab in America” journey began – the ghetto, the burbs, […]

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