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By: Fulani Bah 12/04/2018, 10:03am music is everything that art isn´t

Article #14, Right to Seek a Safe Place to Live, Political Asylum : Youth For Human Rights VideoWatch Video And Learn About The Human Right Article #14, The Right To Seek A Safe Place To Live. Everyone Has The Right To Seek Political Asylum In Other Countries To Be Safe From Persecution. Watch Videos And Learn About The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights Set Forth By United Nations.

Everyone deserves equal treatment, regardless of where they’re from.

So…what’s your story?

With the increased tensions on immigration laws, it became evident that more stories from those experiencing the tensions of living as an immigrant in the U.S. needed to be told. After spending a day interviewing and talking to multiple members of this family, I can understand how everything finally comes together. This article follows the lives of the 'Walsh' family, West African immigrants, still attempting to find their “American Dream.”

In times of increased criticism of immigrants in America, people need to sit and reflect on their personal stories. We are all human, and that mere factor seems to be forgotten, especially in a country built from stolen blood, sweat, and tears.

My stance on immigration is much like others, that people deserve to live where they want and shouldn’t be restricted, especially if their safety is at stake and they must seek asylum.

With the current administration attempting to ban immigration, more specifically, “Muslim” immigration (whatever that means), in America, people need to start speaking up. Our ancestors were immigrants—why does no one seem to, or want to, remember that?

We are all human.

I see the hardships when their mother, Eliza, has to answer the phone and doesn’t understand what’s being asked of her due to not fully grasping the English Language.

I see when her children want something, and she struggles to comprehend what exactly they’re asking for.

I see when her children are ridiculed for the color of their beautiful, black skin, or when they’re shopping, getting medical assistance, communicating, etc.

Here’s my interview with one of their eight children, a young female citizen named Michelle, age 14.

Do you face any difficulties in America because of your parents being immigrants? Yes, with the new laws and stuff it makes it harder for them to get good jobs.

2. Do you enjoy having both the African and American identity? Yes... With that comes with a lot of stereotypes of us and hate.

Do you stay updated in the news with what immigrants in other countries have to face? Yes. I feel like it’s unfair and that everyone should be able to live in freedom like us American citizens.

Do you face any hate yourself due to your status? Yes. I get asked questions like, "Why are you so black?" or "Do you take a shower with that (hijab)?" or "Do you have hair?" and sometimes I wonder how it feels to not be hated on because of the way I dress or look. But in this society, being dark is ugly to some people. But being black makes you have power and strength in you and feel encouraged in yourself.

Do you embrace your both your African and American culture? Yes, I’m proud of my race and culture because we’ve been through a lot—but that’s not going to stop us from still being black or who I am.

After the interview, I reminded Michelle of how her role as a citizen and her story is extremely important. Her identity, through the eyes of superficial, ill-informed children should not be the key factor in how she chooses to see herself at the end of the day.

It’s ignorant, uneducated comments like those that make me infuriated with how immigrants, and newfound citizens, are viewed and treated poorly while going through the system. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly, at the end of the day.

I see them for who they are.

I see them, immigrants, American citizens, people, fighting to make their lives better for themselves and for generations to come.