My object is a Buddha necklace and it represents my family’s cultural identity because my family is buddhist and follow buddhism. It signifies our religion so wearing it tells a part of our identity. My family members migrated from Cambodia and found themselves in the U.S. Their story is unique because they fled their home because of a war. They risked their lives escaping and lost a few members. My grandpa worked for the Cambodian government and back then during the war, government officials were stripped of their belongings and were tortured to their death, but my grandpa hid his status to survive with his family. They all escaped and came to the U.S. in hopes for a better life. They had nothing and eventually they had a lot. They made a life for themselves despite coming to an unknown country not knowing the language or how it works. My family’s story connects to other family stories I'm familiar with because they too had family who fled their home and came to the U.S. with nothing and built a life for themselves. By wearing this necklace it signifies a part of our identity and represents us and who we are.

– J

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant