Somewhere We Are Human

More about the book

This collection features 41 impactful essays, poems, and artworks by migrants, refugees, and Dreamers, including notable writers, artists, and activists, that shed light on the undocumented experience in America. Amid the heated immigration debate, the humanity of those living precariously in the U.S. often gets overlooked. These individuals—mothers, fathers, children, neighbors—are driven by hope and fear, risking everything for the promise of a better life, yet their stories often remain unheard. This anthology aims to shift the narrative surrounding immigration, moving away from stereotypes and xenophobia towards one grounded in humanity and justice. Through their creative expressions, the contributors remind us of their shared humanity. They share nuanced portraits of their lives before and after migration, the pain of leaving their homelands, and their aspirations for a future beyond borders. Entirely created by undocumented or formerly undocumented individuals, this work encapsulates a journey of memory and longing, reflecting the experiences of those newly arrived, those who have been in the U.S. for years, and those who have been forced to leave. Addressing themes of race, class, gender, nationality, sexuality, politics, and parenthood, it reveals how joy, hope, mourning, and resilience can flourish even in the harshest circumstances.