I thought others might be interested in this email I recently received from Bill Wischmeyer of Many Cultures One Community in Rochester, NY.
This is a letter I received this morning. It is powerful and says volumes. This is what I have been talking about for over 3 years and explains why this is what I do what I do. As we go through the day I want people today to think how words and labels affect people’s lives. I have deleted the person who wrote this letter to protect their identity.
-Bill Wischmeyer
Hello Bill,
It’s almost midnight today but also I cannot go to sleep, and this is my typical night. (It’s not because I drink too much coffee.)
Anyway, there is something I really want to share you today.
Every night before I sleep I think about everything I did that day, every people I met, and every conversation I have with them.
It’s my fortune that I get to meet new people pretty much every day. I get to make new friends which is wonderful.
But there is something which hurts me most. The word “refugee.” It reminds me of my past life.
I think “refugee” is a tag or a label that we got when we were in Nepal. It is just a word for other American people here but for me it’s a reminder that I don’t belong anywhere.
For example, if I meet somebody this is basically what happens:
Me: Hello
American: Hi, what’s is your name ?
Me: Fill in the blank.
American: Nice to meet with you . Where are you from ?
Me: Nepal. (I prefer to say Nepal instead of Bhutan because i was born in Refugee camp in Nepal.)
American: Wow, ammm, Interesting. So, how did you come here ?
Me: Well, I came here because I was living in Refugee camp in Nepal…
(but before I finish…)
American: So, you are a Refugee.
(The person doesn’t pay any attention to my “was.”)
You know Bill, there are many reason why we (Bhutanese community in Rochester) filled out the application to come to America, but for majority of people is to permanently erase their Refugee tag from their forehead. They wanted to feel that they belong somewhere. I am one of them. The only reason for me to come here is to be part of America. I wanted to be an American. By the way, I do not mean I was totally gonna change or forget my culture , language or religion. It’s part of me. And, I was sure I will be accepted as who I am.
Legally, I am American. Not a citizen yet but I eventually will be. Legally, I am treated equally like other Americans. For example, I will get tickets for traffic violation (not that I got one so far), I must pay taxes, I am allowed attend to any Universities/colleges or get hospital care. Being a refugee back in my past life doesn’t make any difference…legally.
However, socially I am not accepted and I don’t know why…
Thanks Bill!
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