EMMIR student launches 'Who Are You?' social media project to highlight migrants' stories

The Who Are You? project is a social media initiative started by current EMMIR Edition 11 student Hatice Kübra Karatepe, aimed at increasing the visibility of migrants and their stories on social media.

The Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Migration and Intercultural Relations (EMMIR) programme emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the complexities of migration (and how we view migrants) in today's world. This project reflects the core values of EMMIR by highlighting the integral role of migrants in society and challenging perceptions often associated with them.

"Despite being present and working in various positions across all segments of society today, there is a negative perception of migrants," says Hatice. "This project seeks to emphasize that migrants are integral to every part of society, that in some way we are all migrants, that many people around us have migrant backgrounds, and that various migrant groups exist worldwide."

By sharing migrant stories in English, the project aims to make these stories visible on a wider and more global scale, and to "highlight that local people are not superior, increase empathy, and reduce prejudice and discrimination," she says. Another goal is to draw attention to individuals’ cultural, ethnic, and religious identities, making diversity more visible.

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“Dedicated to my parents, whom as migrants themselves, sacrificed so much so that I could have so much in my life now. 妈, 爸, I love you.” — James 杨智为 Zhi Wei Yong, reflecting on the deep connections and sacrifices within his family.

To participate in the project, individuals share their migration stories, then choose an object that they believe reflects or is associated with their culture, language, or identity, or one they carried with them during their migration process. They then explain why they chose this object and what it means to them. This approach makes both the migration story and the individual’s cultural and identity awareness more visible, as well as our awareness of the diversity around us.

Hatice explains that the choice to present photos of migrants in black and white and the objects in color is intentional. This symbolizes that while we are all equal as individuals, our cultures and identities add diversity and vibrancy to our environment.

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"Throughout my migration journey, the thing that remained constant is music. Music has been my companion and a significant part of my identity, bridging the various cultures and experiences that have shaped me. For me, the cello represents my identity. It is an instrument that has accompanied me through every phase of my life, from Damascus to Bucharest to Stavanger. The cello's deep, resonant tones reflect my journey, resilience, and the blending of different cultures that define who I am." — Roxana Soliman, emphasizing the role of music in her migration journey and cultural identity.

Currently, there are 16 migration stories in the project. "Throughout this process, I have repeatedly observed the uniqueness of each migration story. While we often only see the external aspects of migration, it is also an emotionally significant journey. I have realized how fundamental the concept of 'home' is and how people are emotionally attached to objects and places."

"Asking participants to choose a single object is sometimes challenging, prompting deep self-reflection. They question themselves and eventually select the object they feel most connected to. Witnessing this process has been a profound experience for me. As someone working in the field of migration, I believe it has enhanced my awareness and strengthened my ability to empathize," Hatice shares.

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“To represent my identity, I chose an old, rugged book that tells the story of an old, rugged cross. It speaks of belonging, freedom, forgiveness, true joy, hope, and love beyond measure!” — Mercy Kimanzi, emphasizing the role of faith in shaping her identity.

If you would like to share your migration story, you can write a 350-400 word narrative detailing your migration experience and select an object that you believe represents your identity or culture, explaining why you chose this particular item.

To be featured in the project, please take a photo of yourself and a photo of the chosen object against a white background. Submit these photos along with your written narrative to the project's social media accounts or email address (whoareyouinitiative@gmail.com).

You can also connect with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whoareyouinitiative/ and on Twitter at https://x.com/whoruinitiative.

Congratulations to Hatice for this wonderful initiative! Please follow along on social media to support the project.