This June I attended the Assyrian National Conference put on by the Assyrian Policy Institute. It was a 3-day conference in Washington, D.C. focused on bringing together Assyrian advocates centered around the theme “A Turning Point and a New Path Forward.” The conference consisted of panels, workshops, and advocacy work with members of U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill. It was inspiring to hear from and meet people who were performing advocacy in all types of ways, using skills that they’ve been able to develop and hone in the diaspora. This ranged from advocacy in politics, academia, business, art, journalism, and more. Here are some highlights from my time. Follow Assyrian…

This is an ongoing list of books written by Assyrians, as well as books and articles about Assyrian history. Have a recommendation? Fill out the form below to let me know of any book I should add to the list! Note: I have not read all of these yet, I am trying to collect any I find here so I can read them. I’m also not endorsing any of these books, but most of them have been recommended to me. Non-Fiction Books: Reforging a Forgotten History by Sargon Donabed Assyrians Post-Nineveh by Dr. Racho Donef Assyrians in Chicago Assyrians Beyond the Fall of Nineveh by William M. Warda The Heirs…

Like many children of immigrants in the U.S., my first language was not English. I grew up in Chicago but my parents immigrated from Iraq in their mid-twenties. Growing up, my parents only spoke Assyrian at home (and some Arabic when they didn’t want us kids to know what they were talking about). But I quickly learned English. I don’t remember when or how — my parents did make sure to teach me the English alphabet and bought me books in English. Once I started school I became an early reader and reading and writing became my favorite activities. So I would go to school and speak, write, and read…