Everyone who immigrates comes to a place where they are foreigners,
where they may not speak the language or look like the other people
there, or even understand the basic customs of everyday life; a place
where they may be regarded as second-class citizens, even though in
many ways the work they do forms the foundation of life for every other
citizen in their new country. In America, as in so many other nations,
immigrants are the backbone of the country—the health care workers,
farmers, cab drivers, fruit pickers, cashiers, and other, often invisible
but essential workers without whom this country would fall apart.
This book is for the unheard—a chance for them to say and hear
the things so often left unspoken. In addition to offering words from
noteworthy people, it was important to me that I give voice to those who
don’t usually get the chance to be heard on these kinds of platforms.
I particularly wanted to share these quotes with younger immigrants,
to show them that there are young people just like them who care about
immigration—not just these old white politicians who try to manipulate
us with sugar-coated bullshit or poisonous anti-immigrant rhetoric.
These politicians don’t speak for us, nor have they cared to fundamentally
govern or help Black and brown bodies. Instead, I wanted readers
to hear from people who look just like them: rappers like Belly, singers
like Rihanna, comedians like Hasan Minhaj.
This book is for the cab driver who works a ten-hour shift to afford the kind of bike that his kid’s friends have. The cashier at the discount store who can’t work
anywhere else until her paperwork is legal. The restaurant owner who
started with nothing and created a community through food. The nine year-
olds who grow up way too fast and translate for their parents at the
grocery store, the doctor’s office, the parent-teacher night. These are
my superheroes. They are my America.--Anik Khan
"I just want young people to embrace where they come from, be proud of it and share theirfamily’s history. This country was built on beautiful stories of immigrant heritage." —ZENDAYA
"A country is not a hotel, and it’s not full. . . . In culture, we seek truth and understanding. . . . In culture we build bridges, not walls." — YO-YO MA
“I don’t think people realize that the first illegal immigrants were European settlers.” — CRYSTAL GALINDO
“If you want to find the realest American, find an immigrant. Ain’t nothin’ more American than an immigrant.” — MUSTAFA ALI
Copyright © 2021 by Anik Khan. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
