Refract Magazine

Refract Magazine A student-run cultural magazine showcasing creative non-fiction essays at Baruch.

We are excited to announce that this Thursday, Feb. 19, we will be hosting our Spring 2026 GIM! Happening 1–2 PM in our ...
02/17/2026

We are excited to announce that this Thursday, Feb. 19, we will be hosting our Spring 2026 GIM! Happening 1–2 PM in our suite (NVC 7–205), you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about REFRACT and explore ways to get involved in the editing and publishing process.

Join us, meet the masthead and editors, inquire about the editing/publishing industry and our professional network, or—if you’d like, and we’d be more than happy to—talk about all things literature. DM us for any questions. We hope to see you there!

To celebrate National Book Month, the editors here at REFRACT Magazine have curated a select list of required reading, a...
12/13/2025

To celebrate National Book Month, the editors here at REFRACT Magazine have curated a select list of required reading, a Great Works syllabus, if you will. We hope you add these amazing stories to your TBR lists and share with us your thoughts. Happy reading!

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.com and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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In “Love Addiction,” Isabella Amorello vividly conjures up the sensation of indulgence from the pleasure of sweetness to...
12/13/2025

In “Love Addiction,” Isabella Amorello vividly conjures up the sensation of indulgence from the pleasure of sweetness to the pain of overconsumption. She explores the sticky tension between instant gratification and long-term health, explaining how artificial substitutes often fail to satisfy the craving.

Amorello emphasizes the importance of replacing sugar with nourishing foods and learning self-control. Ultimately, the piece speaks to a broader discussion of overcoming destructive habits while acknowledging temptation.

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.com and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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In her Berlfein Prize–winning piece, “The Sweet Elixir of Life,” Alyson Brown explores the bittersweet transition to adu...
12/11/2025

In her Berlfein Prize–winning piece, “The Sweet Elixir of Life,” Alyson Brown explores the bittersweet transition to adulthood with candor and humor through the act of drinking. Shifting between early holiday memories and the warmth of family gatherings, Brown shows how growing up often means learning to savor the very traditions that once overwhelmed us.

As we approach the holiday season this year, let us be reminded of the rituals that quietly shape our identity, offering both continuity and insight into who we are becoming.

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.com and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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In Reasonable Doubt, Jackie Ivers reflects on her mother’s unyielding dedication to their church community—even in the f...
12/10/2025

In Reasonable Doubt, Jackie Ivers reflects on her mother’s unyielding dedication to their church community—even in the face of betrayal. Through her mother’s courage and selflessness, we are invited to witness how one can stand firmly in their values even when confronted with injustice and hypocrisy.

The story invites readers to consider the complexities found in faith and the bitter truths we are often left to swallow. Iver’s reminds us that true character often shines brightest in the face of adversity.

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.com and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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In her thoughtful piece titled “On Keeping a Notebook,” Veronica Eklund examines the subtle art of paying attention and ...
12/09/2025

In her thoughtful piece titled “On Keeping a Notebook,” Veronica Eklund examines the subtle art of paying attention and reflecting. Her Didion-esque journal records fleeting encounters, tiny details, and acts of everyday kindness. Through these powerful observations, she reveals how noticing the world can offer insight into our own thoughts and experiences.

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.com and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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In Behind the Name, Sabina Green,” Frieda Cohen shares the story of Sabina Green, a Holocaust survivor whose strength ca...
12/09/2025

In Behind the Name, Sabina Green,” Frieda Cohen shares the story of Sabina Green, a Holocaust survivor whose strength carried her through unimaginable loss. From war-torn Poland to building a life in Brooklyn, Sabina’s story is a testament to resilience and memory. Proof that courage and hope can ncarry us through even the darkest chapters of history, Cohen manages to capture the enduring strength of the human spirit.

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.com and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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In his Berlfein Prize–winning piece, Trevor Lam outlines the political forces behind the projects and community groups f...
12/08/2025

In his Berlfein Prize–winning piece, Trevor Lam outlines the political forces behind the projects and community groups fighting to preserve their neighborhoods.

“Protect Ethnic Enclaves” examines how NYC lawmakers and private developers are accelerating gentrification in Flushing and Corona, displacing working-class Asian and Hispanic families through luxury developments, stadium deals, and a proposed casino complex. Lam serves us all a sharp reminder that the future of these enclaves depends on who gets to shape the story of their survival.

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.com and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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Calling all writers! REFRACT is currently accepting submissions for the annual Berlfein Prize. This is a chance to win $...
04/30/2025

Calling all writers! REFRACT is currently accepting submissions for the annual Berlfein Prize. This is a chance to win $500 and be edited and published on our website!

Time is ticking! The deadline for submissions is TODAY midnight, April 30th. Please send all submissions (as well as any questions) to [email protected]

To read more about the prize and it’s sponsor, head to our website at: refractmagazine.co/the-berlfein-prize

The MTA has ramped up efforts to prevent fare evasion: deploying gate guards, installing spikes to turnstiles, and even ...
04/29/2025

The MTA has ramped up efforts to prevent fare evasion: deploying gate guards, installing spikes to turnstiles, and even piloting new types of turnstiles. However, let’s say the emergency door is open and no guards are around. Would you walk through?

Alicia Grechu critically investigates this question through the lens of Kantian philosophy in their Berlfein Prize–winning piece, “The Subway Dilemma.” Grechu observes the ethics of this scenario, weighing the moral against the immoral and posing hypothetical alternative situations. For the millions who take the subway everyday, is there anything wrong with taking advantage of an opportunity to save $2.90?

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.c.om and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing. Illustration credit:

With candor and humor, “Rainbows and Religion: My Struggle as a Q***r Muslim” shows how to be yourself even when you’re ...
04/05/2025

With candor and humor, “Rainbows and Religion: My Struggle as a Q***r Muslim” shows how to be yourself even when you’re being asked not to.

In their Berlfein Prize–winning piece, Kadeeja Mohammed retells their experience of growing up q***r in a conservative Muslim household. In keen detail, Mohammed describes the time their palms grew sweaty after their mother questioned them on their rainbow Apple watch strap; when their sisters spoke to their mother on their behalf when she would stop talking to them; and when they realized that they are loved and accepted by those “who truly matter.”

To read more, head to our website at refractmagazine.c.om and explore REFRACT’s extensive archive of new, nonfiction writing.

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