Overview

"""I moved for a better life for my children."" For the first time, this common refrain in immigration stories is captured in an extraordinary way: through heartfelt letters from immigrants to their children. Our children are why a loving parent does anything. They are why we work late or work multiple jobs. They are why we stay. They are why we leave. They are why we laugh. They are why we fear. They are our reasons. Reflective, daring, inspiring, and heartfelt, this compilation of twenty letters represents perspectives from first- and second-generation immigrants from Mexico, Nigeria, Nepal, Jamaica, Taiwan, and more. In their letters, contributors consider the future they want for their children, draw from their experiences, and confess their hopes for their future. In an era of biased bans and controlled borders, when shouts of ""build the wall"" and ""send them back"" seem to have grown louder, the narratives of everyday immigrants have become more important than ever. This anthology celebrates the immigrant experience and shows how they and their children embody the American dream. In Dreams for Our Children, you will find stories of belonging, rejection, and resilience. You will walk the journeys of first- and second-generation Americans as they make sense of their cultural identity, connect with their heritage, and pave a new path forward for themselves and future generations. Perhaps, in this anthology, you will find you. ""A collection of poignant, powerful, and visceral love letters that are filled with the hopes of immigrant parents. These stories are what make our country powerful."" -Murali Balaji, diversity advisor and professional development supervisor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of Maruthi Education Consulting ""Dreams for Our Children shows how little immigrant parents have shared with our children and intentionally creates a template for revealing ourselves to them for posterity."" -Muyiwa Sobo, attorney ""A must-read primer for anyone wanting to see the good and best of immigration and immigrants. This is why the Statue of Liberty's message of 'give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free' must continue to be the centerpiece of America's immigration policy."" -MaryRose Ozee Nwadike, LLM, former immigration lawyer"

Full Product Details

9781634895170

Table of Contents

Reviews

Raising our children in a new environment but influenced by our original background, immigrant parents assume the children know everything they need to know about the parents just by being there. Omotayo proves otherwise. The book shows how little we have shared with those children and intentionally creates a template for revealing ourselves to them and posterity. -Muyiwa Sobo, attorney A must-read primer for anyone wanting to see good and best of immigration and immigrants. This is why the Statue of Liberty's message, 'give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, ' must continue to be the centerpiece of America's immigration policy. Read this book and learn from one of the best. -MaryRose Ozee Nwadike, LLM, former immigration lawyer Dreams for Our Children is a collection of love letters-love letters that are filled with the hopes of immigrant parents dealing with the struggles of acculturation in America. As the child of immigrants, I found each of the letters in this book poignant, powerful, and visceral. Dr. Banjo has done an incredible job of curating the voices of diverse Americans whose stories are what make our country powerful. -Murali Balaji, diversity advisor and professional development supervisor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of Maruthi Education Consulting

"""Raising our children in a new environment but influenced by our original background, immigrant parents assume the children know everything they need to know about the parents just by being there. Omotayo proves otherwise. The book shows how little we have shared with those children and intentionally creates a template for revealing ourselves to them and posterity."" -Muyiwa Sobo, attorney ""A must-read primer for anyone wanting to see good and best of immigration and immigrants. This is why the Statue of Liberty's message, 'give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, ' must continue to be the centerpiece of America's immigration policy. Read this book and learn from one of the best."" -MaryRose Ozee Nwadike, LLM, former immigration lawyer ""Dreams for Our Children is a collection of love letters-love letters that are filled with the hopes of immigrant parents dealing with the struggles of acculturation in America. As the child of immigrants, I found each of the letters in this book poignant, powerful, and visceral. Dr. Banjo has done an incredible job of curating the voices of diverse Americans whose stories are what make our country powerful."" -Murali Balaji, diversity advisor and professional development supervisor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of Maruthi Education Consulting"

Author Information

Dr. Omotayo Banjo is a second-generation Nigerian-American. She is a writer, poet, professor, speaker, consultant, and most importantly, a mother. As an associate professor of communication, she explores how identity is shown in entertainment, as well as how our identities influence our reactions to entertainment. She has published several peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes. In her work and creative life, she is passionate about addressing social identity struggles, social perception, and cultural difference from an empathic viewpoint. She is the host of the podcast and writer of the blog Unapologetically U.S. Omotayo lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her precocious daughter, AdeYara. For more information, visit www.OmotayoBanjo.com.

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