To me, migration is like a river that is constantly changing its course as it flows through. It is the river my ancestors followed to new walks of life. As a young Hmong person, the river of migration isn’t just a concept, but something woven into the fabric of my people’s life story. Migration is the essence of our journey to a better world. My people held endless whispers of hope and of a better tomorrow when faced against war.
They held their children close as they ran and fought for seats on planes. They cried as they left everything they knew behind. They prayed for those they lost. They sat on seats they fought for, soaring in the sky like a bird, traveling across oceans and borders, and carrying our culture on their backs in hopes of a new world free from war. They felt moments of sadness for those they lost, moments of longing for the home they left behind, moments of fear of losing all they have now. Each step throughout this endless path was a testament to a shared yearning for connection and a place to call home. They strove to reach new lands, new beginnings, and new opportunities, allowing for their children to not live in fear of war, allowing families to connect once again, and allowing our community to be free of what they once endured.
Yet when they reached new land, new problems stirred. Prejudice and discrimination held up borders against my people. Stories I hear of today from my loved ones explaining the endless bullying, violence, and hate they faced. They found shelter, but not a home. Even now, we are still affected by hate. We see it in our world today, not just within our community but everywhere. Hate is growing and it is poisoning our empathy and understanding.
Migration is what connects all corners of the world. It allows us to foster empathy and remind us that we are all connected. It is about the freedom to seek opportunities, safety, and a life free from oppression. When denying migration, it is as if you’re denying life itself. It isn’t about who we are or what we are. It’s about where empathy triumphs over fear, allowing there to be freedom, allowing the beauty of all cultures to be celebrated, and allowing each story to represent a culture, a family, and a person.
Migration is natural; hate is not. Migration is the natural response for survival. Hate is constructed and it teaches to divide and destroy. Hate fuels prejudice, builds fear, and blinds us. Every person deserves the chance to seek a better future. Migration is a right, not a privilege. It is up to us to create a world where everyone can find their place to call home. It is up to us to recognize the dreams our ancestors carried and to make those dreams come true. We recognize all walks of life from a little earthworm, to hawks soaring in the sky, to whales swimming at the depths of the oceans. We recognize all cultures who have migrated for a better tomorrow, Asian, Latin, Native American, African American, and so much more. Even in the darkest of times, there will always be hope.
