It is extremely difficult to choose one singular object to represent your family and everything that comes within a truly complex life. To choose one object feels like ignoring 1000 other significant, magical, and sad memories that make me- me. My great grandmother on my grandpas side of the family was adopted, and never knew her birth parents. My grandpas father had come to America from Canada. My great great grandmother on my nana's side of the family came to America from Ireland, along with my nana's grandfather. Although generations ago my family immigrated to America from so many places, I have never grown up with any traditions or culturally significant practices, items, etc. My father has never been in my life- so I do not know what that 50% of me is, and I probably never will. I decided to choose my journal to represent myself, my family, and our culture because to me it represents freedom. Freedom to express ourselves to each other, to accept each other as we are, and to remind ourselves that not many generations ago our family came to America for freedom. It is very interesting to me to think about my ancestry, and what 100, or even 1000 years ago was like, and how after every moment in time that has occurred, I am here. I use my journal to organize every chaotic thought that I may have, to reflect on myself, and to let my creativity flow in several different ways. 

– AB

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more