WWDTogether_Immigration

We invited you to share artwork and stories of immigration. No matter where we live – the USA, the UK, India, Australia, Mexico, everywhere – we all have a family member or friend (or we ourselves) immigrated from one place to another in the distant or recent past. Some of us chose to move. Some of us were forced to. No matter the time or the conditions, our immigration stories are a big part of who we are. Continue to share your stories with accompanying artwork on Instagram with the hashtag #WWDTogether_immigration.

Further thoughts on immigration for @thewomenwhodraw "Being in a foreign country means walking a tightrope high above the ground without the net afforded a person by the country where he has his family, colleagues, and friends, and where he can easily say what he has to say in a language he has known from childhood." Wrote Milan Kundera in one of my favorite books, The Unbearable Lightness of Being. As I am reflecting on what it means to be an immigrant, I am reminded of this passage. When making the choice of leaving your homeland, whether it be a forced or voluntarily choice, you are renouncing the given comfort of knowingness, the security of a language and a sense of self. You are a new born again, in all its fragility. But there is also so much strength in walking that tightrope. An immigrant is a giver by default. We lay bare our hopes and dreams, our quivering hearts, our selves to the judging eyes of our new compatriots. We rise up and meet the challenge of constant scrutiny face on (literally); we have to be above and better than any criteria that apply to the natives of the land we sat foot on, otherwise risking exclusion. We are tested in countless ways, from the grueling paper and money hammer of the immigration system to the daily interactions at the supermarket: are we the "right" kind of people, do we have too much accent, too little cultural similarities, do we "assimilate" well, are we "trying enough", what do we "bring"… Nevertheless, we give. We give the gift of trust to the new land, we give the benefit of the doubt to the person who made an insensitive off-handed remark, we give ourselves the necessary confidence in our ability to succeed despite the odds. We give in order to defeat fear. We give the unknown a chance. An immigrant is someone vulnerable because we are removed from our original surroundings, but do not underestimate the incredible courage it takes to show the world what your heart is made of. #illustration #immigrantstories #immigration #proudimmigrant #wwdtogether_immigration #wwd #gouache #watercolor #pattesdemouche #instagrammies #mystory #thoughts #nyc #nobannowall #resistwithlove

A post shared by Nina Summer (@pattesdemouche) on

#WWDTogether_WomensMarch

Each month we invite you to be part of a collaborative project. Using the #WWDTogether hashtag on instagram, we’ll share drawings we do together around a single theme. At the end of each month, we’ll select some drawings to feature here on this page.

This month we’ll be making artwork documenting the 2017 Women’s March on January 21 all around the USA. If you are outside of the USA or can’t make it to a march join us by creating something around women’s rights and solidarity.

To be part of this project, all you have to do is post your drawing to instagram with the hashtag #WWDTogether_WomensMarch

#womensmarch #sanfrancisco #penandink #sketchbook #wwdtogether_womensmarch #womensmarchbayarea

A photo posted by dianeolivierdraws (@dianeolivierdraws) on

Feeling so energized and inspired today. Want to make it last. ??✨ #wwdtogether_womensmarch

A photo posted by Katie Turner (@katiecturner) on

Nobody is free until we are ALL free! #WhyIMarch#feminism #WomensMarch #WWDTogether_WomensMarch

A photo posted by Ann Uland (@nymaulth) on

My ? and support goes out to everyone marching today. #WWDTogether_WomensMarch ✌?✌️✌?✌??✨

A video posted by Katie Perez (@hikatiepea) on

Love trumps hate. #wwdtogether #wwdtogether_womensmarch

A photo posted by Crystal English Sacca (@crystale) on

Let's go ladies! #whyimarch #wwdtogether_womensmarch #womensmarch #pussygrabsback

A photo posted by Carolyn Figel (@carolynfigel) on

see you soon ??#womensmarch #wwdtogether_womensmarch

A photo posted by Elena Megalos (@emegalos) on

For all the ladies marching today. Be safe. ?

A photo posted by Patrice Horvath Design (@patricehorvath) on

made a fun shirt to wear to the march tomorrow!! see you all there! ? #wwdtogether_womensmarch

A photo posted by Cassie Ross (@treesalive) on

See you TOMORROW at the #womenmarch in NYC! #imarchfor #wwdtogether_womensmarch

A photo posted by Maya Ish Shalom (@maya_ishshalom) on

Stay safe and strong out there tomorrow ladies! ??????✌???

A photo posted by Carly (@clementinestudio) on

♥️

A photo posted by Katty Huertas (@kattyhuertas) on

✨WOMEN RISE UP✨Illustrating for @refinery29 and @womensmarch #womensmarch #WMWart

A photo posted by Louisa Cannell (@weezyvc) on

#wwdtogether_womensmarch #womensmarch

A photo posted by Alexandra Lakin (@alexandralakin.studio) on