#immigrant experiences

[rachel-sylvan-author]

“Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America” by Firoozeh Dumas

Thank you @books_0r_die for the rec! ❤️

Thank you @firoozeh_dumas for writing it! This was beautiful! ❤️

[mapecl-stories]

Bridges Instead of Barriers

Anja, a committed journalist with bright green eyes and a hint of idealism in her voice, sat in a café near the parliament building, engrossed in notes about recent political developments, especially the strict immigration laws proposed by a party called "National Alternative." This party strongly reminded her of the AfD, with its rigid stance against immigration and emphasis on national identity.

Michael, a member of the National Alternative, a young man with short, well-groomed hair and an authoritative demeanor, entered the café to prepare for an upcoming meeting. He noticed Anja, recognising her as the journalist who often wrote critical articles about his party.

They coincidentally met at the counter, leading to a brief, tense dialogue.

"You are Anja Müller, the journalist, aren't you?" Michael began.

"Yes, that's me. And you are Michael Schwarz from the National Alternative, correct?" Anja replied.

A brief conversation ensued, where both politely but firmly expressed their viewpoints. Anja spoke about human rights and the importance of diversity, while Michael emphasized national security and cultural identity.

Anja decided to deepen her reportage by conducting interviews with immigrants directly affected by the laws. Their stories were moving and complex, filled with hope yet tinged with fear and uncertainty.

Michael, on the other hand, prepared for a major meeting of his party, convinced that their policies were for the country's good, even though he sometimes distanced himself from the more radical elements in his party.

One day, Michael invited Anja to a party meeting, hoping to give her insight into their movement. Driven by journalistic curiosity and a desire to understand the other side, Anja accepted the invitation.

The meeting was an eye-opener for Anja. She saw the complexity and diversity of the members and their views. Simultaneously, Michael was challenged by Anja's questions and comments to reconsider some of his party's rigid views.

The turning point came when Anja and Michael witnessed a violent attack on a group of immigrants. Instinctively, they worked together to help and de-escalate the situation. This shared experience had a profound impact on both.

Following this event, Anja and Michael found themselves in many long conversations. They realized that their differences were less significant than the common values they shared: humanity, justice, and the desire for peaceful coexistence.

Together, they founded an initiative advocating for a more balanced immigration policy and intercultural dialogue. They held lectures, organized events, and worked to build bridges between different communities.

The story ends with a scene of Anja and Michael sitting together at a table, surrounded by people of diverse backgrounds. They laugh, discuss, and share stories – a vibrant picture of diversity and mutual respect.

"Building bridges is harder than erecting barriers," Anja says.

"But it's the only way forward," adds Michael, and both nod in agreement.

The novella concludes with a sense of hope that understanding and cooperation are keys to a better future.

[herald-caliber]

"Sea Change" by Gina Chung: A Beautiful Novel

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[mueritos]

happy pride to all queer children of immigrants

patreon

[bixels]

The idea that uni protesters are "elitist ivy-league rich kids larping as revolutionaries" on Twitter and Reddit and even here is so fucking funny to me if you actually know anything about the student bodies at these unis. Take it from someone who's going to one of the biggest private unis in the US, 80% of the peers I know are either from the suburbs or an apartment somewhere in America, children of immigrants, or here on a student visa. I've heard about one-percenter students, but I've never met one in person. Like, don't get me wrong, the institution as a whole is still very privileged and white. I've talked with friends and classmates about feeling weird or dissonant being here and coming from such a different background. But in my art program, I see BIPOC, disabled, queer, lower-income students and faculty trying to deconstruct and tear that down and make space every day. So to take a cursory glance at a crowd of student protesters in coalitions that are led by BIPOC & 1st/2nd-gen immigrant students and HQ'd in ethnic housings and student organizations and say, "ah. children of the elite." Get real.

[jesncin]

I hope Superman fandom as a whole will one day understand that if you truly want to commit to the immigrant allegory, scenes like Lois shooting Clark with a gun or her jumping off a building to prove he's Superman pair really badly with that allegory.

I know some fans like to say "Superman was always an immigrant allegory" and while I get the sentiment of retroactively looking at how the lives of his creators inform the character they made, we also have to acknowledge that the allegory was never consistent to begin with. The original Superman comics were fun gags and shenanigans. Superman Smashes the Klan wouldn't stand out so much if his immigrant identity was consistently integral to his character.

And if you're going to commit to Superman being an immigrant, then you've got to be open to changes on staple Superman lore. So much of this fandom is dedicated to nostalgia, references, canon events, "but Lois does that in the comics! It's not Lois Lane if she doesn't do crazy things to prove who Superman is!" without considering how that is contextualized in the allegory.

I still get so many comments on my Clois comics but especially the Private Interview comic saying "I've never seen Superman this way before" from even longtime fans of the character. Honestly, I never saw him that way until I read Smashes the Klan. Since then I want people to have that recognition of themselves in him too. But that means being brave with changes! Maybe it's okay for this version of Lois to respect Superman's boundaries. Maybe an Asian Lois can be more than an aesthetic shallow retread of white Lois.

These characters are more than callbacks and references. The reason they persist throughout many versions is because they hold themes. Lois isn't just "stunt girl reporter obsessed with Superman and THE TRUTH", she's also a jaded reporter hardened by life who finds hope again in Superman. Superman isn't just "save cats from trees" guy. He's an alien immigrant, and you can make a ton of new stories from that lens alone.

[songofwizardry]

ok I'm not an expert but I'm not seeing much specific info going around here, and there's a lotta Palestine solidarity protests in the UK this weekend, so here is some (including UK-specific) protest info and resources (mostly pulled whole-cloth from Twitter)

policing is heavy at Palestine protests generally

Hamas is a proscribed org under UK law. that means "inviting support" for them or "wearing clothing or displaying articles" that implies you are a supporter is a criminal offence (if you're interested, here's the full list of criminal offences from gov.uk). Palestinian flags etc are ok*, but do not have something that could be mistaken for Hamas imagery. don't go out there looking for convictions pls.

*in spite of what Suella Braverman has implied, the London Muslim Community Forum has just confirmed that the Palestinian flag is not a proscribed flag and is not banned (apologies for quoting the "we advise the met police" group but I thought it was important to have that info explicitly)

don't talk to cops. that includes the police liasion officers in blue bibs.

particularly if you're concerned about your face ending up on social media etc, but also just good practice in general (both in terms of COVID and protest safety)—mask up. cover up tattoos etc.

have bustcards or contact details for protest legal support on you. Green and Black Cross can be contacted on 07946 541 511. write the number on your arm etc.

if you witness an arrest: check if there's a legal observer nearby and if so call them over; if not: if the arrestee doesn't have a bustcard, give them one, find out where they're being taken, and contact eg GBC or a protest support line

if you have the time and can help out, there will likely be arrestee support required after—GBC tend to post callouts on Twitter for this

other links

for particularly children and young people and their families being referred to PREVENT for pro-Palestine statements, contact PREVENTWatch and maybe also Palestine in School (newer initiative I think, I don't have an excessive amount of detail on them just FYI)

Liberty, Migrants Organise and Black Protest Legal Support have bustcards in different languages, including Arabic and Somali (also Liberty's website has lotsa useful info, including advice for disabled protesters, protesting and immigration status, and what to do if you're kettled)

GBC's thread on what to do if you see an arrest is useful, as are all their resources generally

if I've missed anything or made a mistake, lmk—as I said, I am very much not an expert. if you know people who are protesting, pass them the legal support line numbers; if you're attending, stay safe and be vigilant; and ofc carry water.

[rachel-sylvan-author]

"Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All" by Chanel Miller

Thank you @jodifriday for recommending this cute, fun read! ❤️

Thank you @chanel_miller for writing such a beautiful little book! ❤️

[officialspec]

Kabru thinks he's top shit for growing up in Melbourne? Is that anything?

THIS is real i 100% see him as moving to brisbane from melbourne. an idea ive been toying with for kabru is him originally being from real world nepal, and utaya being destroyed by tourism/reputation rather than monsters? everest is kind of like a dungeon if u think about it

[robinduckie]

I wanted to give Tim more psychological damage + unique trauma:

So I am making Jack, the younger trophy husband who is also a social pariah in high society because everyone thinks he murdered his wife, Janet Drake and gotten away with it.

They were on the verge of divorce before his coma and her death. Janet's lawyers told all of their mess to an eleven year old kid without any adult supervision. Wtf is wrong with Gotham?

Janet is a rich heiress of the Drake Pharmaceutical/Medical Devices/Biomedical science empire who is forced to attend meetings every few weeks/months in between her real passion, archeology.

[myokk]

Sebastian had a few days leave from duty so he visited Eloise😇😇

[felucians]

over 4 million people in the UK voted Reform.

as a mixed, disabled, lgbtq+, 3rd gen immigrant woman - I am terrified.

Reform came second in my home constituency, I fear for my safety and the safety of my family and friends.

Check on your minority friends today, despite the fact labour won, we have a long, scary road ahead.

[carmen-berzattos]

Butchered Tongue, my beloved

[eidothean]

Can we talk about what an incredible job Jin Maley does as Taash please

[jesncin]

it's Lunar New Year today so I'll be resharing Private Interview tonight! As always please be kind, it's not a trans story- it's an immigrant story. If you want a trans immigrant story you can either pick up my graphic novel Lunar Boy or wait for me to do something to martian manhunter-

[deargravity]

thought a bit too long about hajun's bilingualism and it turned into its own beast in my head, especially because i overfocused on the pride cd track where, at the height of his emotions, he breaks out a word in korean to express himself. both when he's angry / upset after the confrontation with ryuu and when he's grateful / freshly vulnerable later after that conversation with allen and anne. i know it's a trait of his character to be repressed and insincere in expressing himself but i also wanted to spend time on how language might play a role into his self-presentation, and possibly it is reflective of how carefully he has to maintain and build his image. the language he learned inside-out, the language he was born into (korean) and the language he learned outside-in, the language he speaks to blend into the host culture (japanese), and i think that's the bare-bone fundamental immigrant experience that it might also tie into his sense of isolation and how carefully he curates himself to be accepted and admired, without really knowing how deeply he is loved by the people in his life.

when you learn a new language, if you're busy attending to the rules of syntax and grammar and morphology finding the right way to word things, how much room do you really have for putting in your own voice into that framework, how do you really express yourself in the early stages such that you are truly understood the way you want to be, even in regular conversations when you can communicate with someone in their language, so much meaning is lost between what is said and what is heard. especially when language is the conduit for understanding culture as well.

language has been shown to influence our sense of time and direction and even the range of colours that we see so it's not too far-fetched to mirror this learning experience with how hajun had to grow up in japan away from his family, and his language, and acclimatise to an unfamiliar setting. what i'm trying to say is that after having to internalise the idea that he is unloved by his family, the struggle of fitting into a new society might have exarcebated his loneliness as well, especially since he couldn't regularly speak the language he grew up with. how closely was his childhood tied to the language, how often did his feelings get lost in translation growing up, and is this also part of the reason no one has truly been able to understand him, the reason he doesn't bother with honesty after a childhood of growing up alone, thinking himself unloved and not worth understanding, and of course does that affect his relationship with vulnerability into his adulthood? how do you even begin to conceptualise this kind of experience as a kid? everything he learned turned into habit that became less about being instinctive and truthful and more about putting it together correctly, not just in a new language, but also in a new self, for a new place. if you get what i mean by the parallel.

on language: what language do you think with? how do you access and translate memories into another language? what do you lose of yourself in the process of translation? at what point, do you give up on translating and build yourself something new? at this point, aren't you lying to yourself too? of course, you'd also lie to everyone else.

i don't know if i've read too much into something and turned it into a headcanon, but it's just something i noticed in the pride cd track, when his mask cracks under the pressure and not just through language. that aside, i just thought it might be a good place to start understanding part of the reason why he's so emotionally shuttered and distant all the time. maybe it's language, maybe it's habit, maybe it's because he also has a very selective and flawed understanding of himself, and very likely it is also self-loathing but that's a conversation for another day, thank you for reading.