The Dreamers

Mike Wilson is a member of the Tohono O'Odham Nation, a tribe whose reservation is located in the Sonoran desert on the Arizona-Mexico border. Wilson of course is not an immigrant in the least, but he is a fierce advocate for them, particularly for defending the humanity of the border crossers, who have been dying in ungodly numbers on his tribe's land. As a leader of Humane Borders, he makes it his business to set out water, food, and aid supplies in the desert to help save the lives of the crossers. In person, he's quiet and yet powerful, and you can tell that his convictions are backed up by sobering real-life experience.

I believe the American dream is a dream for all Americans. As someone who literally went from ironing board to corporate board, many would think that I am the embodiment of the American Dream. However, I struggle and work everyday to eliminate stereotypes, bigotry, and systemic discrimination that exists toward countless immigrants and ethnic communities, for whom the American Dream may seem unattainable. The Dreams Across America Tour is my continued effort to shed light on the lives of the oppressed and silenced in this country.

My name is Ginny Gong, a 59-year-old naturalized citizen of the US, Vice Chair of the Advisory Board for the Universities of MD at Shady Grove, and first Chair of the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Commission for the state of Maryland.

My father came to this country as a “paper son,” as one of countless people who entered the United States through the purchase of identity papers established by American citizens of Chinese descent after the San Francisco fire destroyed all immigration-related documents. As a result of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 that barred the Chinese from entering the U.S., many chose this strategy as a means of entering. My family soon joined my father in the United States in 1954. Together the family operated a Chinese hand laundry and my dad worked double duty as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant. Poverty and stereotyping were a part of our daily lives. While growing up in such an environment, I came to develop a passion in the area of social justice and equality.

I decided to take part in this tour because I believe that I represent a unique generation of immigrants with "the mind of someone born in the U.S. but the heart of an immigrant.” I can navigate and function in this society with savvy and sophistication, but the immigrant part of me will always be the core of who I am. I hope to shed light on the very important, but often overlooked fact that the dreams of immigrants are no different from those born in the United States. People who meet me or listen to me are often surprised to learn that I am an immigrant, but as an immigrant, I have made substantial contributions to this country both at a professional and personal level. This I believe is true of countless immigrants residing in this country.

In early December, I will be a grandmother. This is truly a special moment in my life and I look forward to sharing our stories of sacrifice, love, and dreams with him or her. It is my hope that I will be able to introduce my grandchild to a world that is free from prejudice and discrimination, a world where we reach across communities to help realize all our dreams.

My Mom came to the United States from Mexico. She married my dad, a U.S. citizen, and my sister and I were born in Texas. She says her heart was tied to the United States from then on.

She moved to Nashville as a single parent because she found more job opportunities in Tennessee than in Texas. She came here for the summer and saw that her children would be better growing up here and so decided to stay.

My dream is to become a politician or lawyer to promote civil rights everywhere- an international attorney maybe. I know that if I accomplish this I can help my mom so that she does not have to work so much. And maybe by fighting for the rights of people I will make it easier for her to live her dreams, and my sister and friends too.

In school I lead other students like me in fighting for the Dream Act and immigration reform. Other kids in my school often don’t understand what we are fighting for but I always debate with them and try to explain. By standing together, by being peaceful, by showing how much we care in a positive way I know we can make them understand. It has been done before during the Civil Rights Movement; it can happen again.

Both my parents are from Texas. My dad’s family lived in Mexico. They came to Texas for Christmas holidays and that’s when my dad was born, on Dec 24. My dad lived with his aunt until his family (my grandparents) could get legal status and come live with him in Texas.

My mom was born in Texas. She is the 3rd generation on her dad’s side to be born here in the U.S. My great grandfather worked on the farms and he was able to bring his family here. They would often hide in caves or forests when Immigration officers were checking status on farms.

My past is part of who I am. I dream for myself a life that is easier than what my mom and dad’s parents had to go through. I am lucky to have the opportunity to go to college. I am taking mechanic classes in school and also taking a university path. I work hard to receive good grades in my classes. But I want my friends to be able to have this too without worrying about legalization. And maybe one day, for them and for me, we won’t be stereotyped by our ethnicity. That is my dream.

I believe in the American Dream because I believe that all dreams and hopes are possible if we work and fight together.

My experiences have taught me that when you have a dream people around you may tell you that you can’t do it, but I have always tried to be strong and work hard. My dream is to become a chef, a model, or a lawyer.

I would like to have a nice house and a nice husband. I would like to be a better daughter, a better student, and a better sister. When my mom remarried and we came here, I was able to apply for a visa. I think about before and see how much closer I am to achieving my dreams because of my life here. And I know I must make the most of it.