He is Not a Refugee. He is My Daddy!
Jamya, Age 11, New York |
Last year
This man you see
He was not a refugee
But just a man
Who loved to laugh
And walk with his class
By the sea
He liked America
But he was forced to flee
He could be you
He could be me
But it was my father
And there was nothing I could do
But I tried
He was not a refugee
But just an amazing guy
He was not a refugee
But that’s what the system
Wanted everyone to believe
He had a family
Who loved and cared
Now it’s hard to bear
The fact that he’s not here, but we’re still strong since
Even though he’s not here he’s here
And we want the world to be aware
11 Comments
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Brenda says:
Amazing
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Janay Cauthen says:
My daughter speaks her truth.
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Jean montrevil says:
I will always be there baby no matter what. Love you forever my princess. Daddy
Thank u. -
Cheryl Wu says:
Hi Jamya – I want you to know that there are a lot of us out here that think what is going on is extremely wrong – and we so want to be able to snap our fingers and bring your dad back. It’s not fair and our hearts collectively hurt for you. Thank you for sharing. You’re an incredibly brave young woman.
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Jamya, thank you for sharing your words. Keep writing and sharing and I will keep reading and saying “thank you”.
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Lola C. West says:
Thank you for your words. They are important. This is how we know what you feel. Keep writing.
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Kerrie Bellisario says:
Jamya, your words bring tears to my eyes and yet I promise you – your courage to share your story helps others to remember to love each other with compassion- we share this earth. I will share your story with my own children and the students I teach – to remind us in the ways that we each are able to act with your courage to make this world a better place.
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Ramani Edmondson says:
Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing!
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Dr. Joy Lawson Davis says:
This compelling story is too familiar to so many children today. We MUST do all we can to elect government officials who are humane and compassionate, who understand what our current immigration laws do to the core of our society- the family and our most vulnerable, our children. We can do better as a nation and we SHOULD.
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Nina Miller says:
Hi Jamya, I don’t like labeling people either; too often it becomes a way of dividing us rather than seeing all our similarities. “He is not a refugee. He is my daddy!” These words speak to your knowing the truth and what matters, and reminds readers, so that we keep working to help create more safety and freedom, less “confusion and risk.” Thank you!!
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Jamya,
Thank you for sharing such a personal story. Your words are heartfelt and your sincerity is evident. You have managed to bring a sense of urgency and humanity to the issue of migration and its impact on families.