Let Me Tell You My Story - Reviewed by Catherine Arveseth
Written by Megan Carson
One of our readers, Catherine Arveseth, who has been following the work and stories of our team at Their Story Is Our Story, wrote a very beautiful review of our recently released book, Let Me Tell You My Story. There are far too many beautiful paragraphs to possibly share just one, so here are a few to pick from.
“My girls went quiet. With each handful of words I read, genuine sorrow began to crease their faces. They were considering it all. The sting of loss. The darkness of despair. The wrongs of injustice. And the need for compassion.”
“Each story is its own unique heartbreak. Most families are ripped apart. Few families stay intact. That is the norm, rather than the exception. But as I worked through their words, their pain became part of my story, part of what I am learning about the resiliency of human spirit. I was impressed with how wise and ironically rooted these unmoored people are in what matters.”
“We all need refuge at different times in our lives. Stop for a moment and think of a time when you needed refuge, be it physical, spiritual, financial, or emotional. I’m sure you can picture the place, person, or experience that offered you sanctum and safe harbor.”
The entire review is stunningly written and worth every second of reading it. GO AND READ IT HERE.
**Note: If you’ve read Let Me Tell You My Story and have been touched by the individuals and families featured in the stories, we’d love to hear from you! Send us your book reviews or even personal messages to the refugees we’ve met.**
Official Statement on the Detention of Refugees and Ongoing Community Violence
With another death in Minnesota and continued violence toward individuals and groups standing up for their communities, we acknowledge the profound fear and uncertainty people are feeling--not just locally, but across the country.
On top of this, there are reports that refugees invited and admitted to our country through the U.S. Refugee Admission Program are now being detained, meaning that our new friends and neighbors feel that fear most acutely.
Refugees have already fled violence and persecution once. They came here legally, seeking safety. In moments like these, we reaffirm our commitment to building communities where refugees and immigrants can live without fear. Where they can go to work, send their children to school, and build lives of dignity and belonging.
We call for due process, accountability, and humanity in all immigration enforcement operations. We call upon our leaders to demand the demilitarization of our neighborhoods and cities. And we call on all of us to continue the work of welcoming and protecting those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.