Dereen Shirnekhi
Staff Columnist
Author Archive
Vaccine mandates take effect for city employees, CT K-12 staff

Over 74 percent of New Haven city employees who reported vaccination status were fully vaccinated on Monday — the deadline for them to either present […]

Person prepares a vaccine.
SHIRNEKHI: The price we pay

Yesterday evening, students, alumni and concerned allies shared our stories about mental illness and mental health care. Students Unite Now delivered 585 signatures to the […]

SHIRNEKHI: On cancel culture

“Cancel culture didn’t start getting the language of ‘culture’ until mostly white people in power started being held to account for their actions and behaviors,” […]

SHIRNEKHI: A financial crisis

“We are in a financial crisis.”  Last week, Mayor Justin Elicker spoke to me over the phone for an interview. He explained that the city […]

The Angle Ep. 4: SHIRNEKHI: On grief

Staff columnist Dereen Shirnekhi reads her piece about opening up a discussion around death and grief, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Edited by Carlos Carrillo-Gallegos. […]

SHIRNEKHI: On grief

Today, someone is dying. They’re lying in a hospital bed, or in their home. Perhaps they did not even know that when they woke up […]

SHIRNEKHI: Incarcerated and at risk

Social distancing. Staying six feet apart. Disinfecting. Staying home. Avoiding large gatherings. Since being sent away from campus for the rest of the semester, it’s […]

SHIRNEKHI: Until we stick the landing

In a few days, many of us will be home. We’ll be sitting in the bedrooms we used to have nightmares in, surrounded by the […]

Sophie Henry
SHIRNEKHI: Finding our way home

When you belong to the vague conglomeration that is “Middle Eastern/North African” (MENA), there isn’t really an exact place where you know you belong. You’re […]

Dora Guo
SHIRNEKHI: Held in the heart

It seems like everyone around me is in love with someone they haven’t told, or never will tell. Maybe it isn’t love but feels like […]

Sammy Westfall
SHIRNEKHI: Something great

“Do you feel like you have to do something great?” my roommate asks me late into the hours of the night. The two of us […]