Shahad Atiya Had to Choose Between Love and Family. Within Days, She Moved Out
In the second episode of “Twisted Storytellers,” Shahad Atiya tells a story about how making a friend in law school changed her life.
From the live stage in Detroit to earbuds everywhere, WDET presents Season 3 of the Twisted Storytellers Podcast. This season explores the real-life challenges face by immigrants and reminds us all what it means to live in a modern day melting pot.
While in school, Shahad Atiya, who is Arab, befriended a black man named Cecil. At first, they were just classmates and friends. Eventually they became romantically involved.
“After two years I told my parents I was dating him seriously,” Atiya says. “They said, ‘You need to break it off.’
She was given an ultimatum, even if her parents had a difficult time calling it that. Within days, she packed up and left home.
In the second episode of Season 3 of WDET’s “Twisted Storytellers” podcast, Atiya’s story is one of love, family and culture intersecting at a fateful moment. As an Arab woman, her parents expected her to date in secret and remain at home. But she chose different. Hear her story by clicking on the player above or by subscribing to Season 3 of “Twisted Storytellers,” now available on all major podcasting platforms.
