To most people, this photograph is of a woman playing the violin with a group of colleagues. However, to me this symbolizes much more. This photograph is of one of my aunts in Vietnam playing the violin in a jazz club. My mother was born in Vietnam and immigrated to America, and my father was born in Oklahoma. In both sides of my family, there have been many violinists,- from opposite sides of the world. From Oklahoma to Vietnam, I was carrying on a family tradition. When I was younger, I didn’t know why it was important for me to play it and carry on the tradition. For many years, I didn’t really mind playing it as it seemed to have been a gift that would impress others. Until a few years ago, I didn’t even know that people from my mother’s side had played it, as it was never really mentioned. Violin is one of my favorite pastimes I’m glad I learned. Everyday after school, I practice measure after measure, mistake after mistake, piece after piece. Violin is very important to me, as I have been playing for so long, I still have memories in my childhood from when I was four years old regarding violin. After learning about that my dad’s side wasn’t the only side of my family to play violin, I found I was more connected to playing and felt proud that I would be able to carry on this tradition for many more years to come.

– AW

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