This jewelry set was a part of my mom’s wedding jewelry that she wore on the day her life changed. It was the only set my mom brought to the U.S from Pakistan in 2000. Coming to the U.S, my mom left behind her family, her country, her friends, and the life she lived to join my dad who came here to provide more opportunities for his kids. My mom’s wedding jewelry isn’t just any jewelry with a beautiful design and many colors. The set follows decades of traditions of dowry and giving your daughter away with tons of gold that measure her value in her in-laws. The set represents a “beti’s” (daughters) value in her family, meant to leave home. 
“We the People” may be perceived very differently, but to me it means everyone, regardless of race, gender, wealth, ethnicity have the right to live freely. My mom is an immigrant. And so, my mom still lives under fear. A fear of being separated from her family, or being banned to see her family.  Under the Muslim ban in 2017, people from certain counties weren’t allowed to enter the U.S. My mom felt deprived of visiting her family. The necklace she wore promised her a life of happiness, not fear. That set represented freedom not oppression. In a county where we are “free”, we shouldn't be living in constant terror from news, laws and crimes. This necklace represents years of sacrifice from my mom, that allows me to work hard for a future my parents left their home for. 

– RF

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