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This week: Migration - A Source of Inspiration Edited by: Kit  
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Lesley Pearse was onto something when she wrote about migration. In the past, and in recent times, a migrant has challenges to face and obstacles to overcome. Cultural adjustments, emotional ties, the reconstruction of one's identity... it's a rich source of inspiration for a Drama writer.
This week's Drama Newsletter, then, is all about migration.
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“They should go back to where they came from!” Does that sound familiar? Immigration is a hot topic here in the United Kingdom. It's a political hot potato. The media run conflicting stories about it. It even surfaces in the pub on a Friday afternoon.
Everyone seems to have views about immigration and, as an immigrant, I certainly have a thing or two to say about it. Today I want to raise the issue as a source of inspiration for Drama writers.
The decision to move abroad is not taken lightly. I was lucky. I didn't have to flee because of conflict, or fear for my life. My country of birth isn't a bad one. I had a good job, family and friends. The reason I moved is simple – I fell in love with an Englishman, and it was easier for me to take the leap than it was for him. My English was decent, whilst he couldn't speak a word of Dutch. And he had greater responsibilities keeping him here.
It may have been easier, but it wasn't easy. There were loved ones I wouldn't see as often. Finding a job in another country wouldn't be simple. There aren't any huge cultural differences between the Netherlands and the UK, but they aren't the same, and that's something I underestimated at first, so it took me a good while to settle in.
When you make a move of this kind, you have to build your life back up. Unless you're wealthy, I suppose. That might help. I wasn't, and there were a lot of unforeseen circumstances that made the first year here a struggle.
If I were to move back, which I don't intend to do, I'd face the same obstacles as I did when I moved to England. It would be more difficult, even, because I'd have to find a place to live, which I didn't when I arrived here. I stayed with my boyfriend.
A sense of belonging is an interesting feeling, that can be difficult to pin down. When people say that immigrants should go back to where they came from, it seems as though they assume that a person has strong, unbreakable ties to where they were born. That they'd fit back in. That they'd belong. I have found that not to be the case. When I visited the Netherlands last year, I felt like a tourist. A stranger. The country I knew had changed over time, and so had I. Right now, I don't quite consider myself a Brit, but I don't feel Dutch, either, regardless of what my passport says. I don't always feel that this is where I belong, but I have rebuilt my life here. I've settled. I don't regret the move, and twelve years in, this is home.
Sometimes I wonder if I would feel the same way if I had a different skin color. If I stood out more. People don't realize I am not British, until I open my mouth and they notice my accent. If they ask where I am from, and I tell them, they nod and smile – many of them have visited Amsterdam and had a good time. Apart from a handful of unpleasant, but minor, cases of xenophobia, I have been welcomed and accepted. Would it have been different if I'd arrived from elsewhere? The vast majority of people aren't racist, but you always get some...
Migration is hard work, involves a wide range of emotions, and, therefore, it is understandable that some authors have described these challenges in their novels. Lesley Pearse, for example, has written about historical migration to the USA, and forced migration to Australia. Her heroines faced far more difficulties than I ever did, and their stories are both fascinating and mortifying.
I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to migrate. It is difficult to imagine what it would be like to have to risk your life to get to safety. I didn't have to go through the asylum seeking process. Contrary to popular belief, I didn't get handed wads of cash when I arrived here, though. I didn't get offered a home, benefits, or, well, anything, nor did I expect any. I don't know where those ideas come from, but countries don't throw out the red carpet when someone new arrives, no matter how they got here. I made my own way. Still, it was smooth sailing, relatively speaking, and though I highlighted some of the obstacles I faced, it's not a case of "woe is me". The choice to move was mine, and I am happy that I made it.
I hope that this Newsletter editorial has provided you with some insight into migration, and the emotional issues that come with it. I also hope that it's provided a small source of inspiration. Sharing experiences, I feel, opens new avenues to explore in our writing, and different perspectives to consider for our characters.
kittiara
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The Drama Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!
Mark Allen Mc Lemore  - Ah, family does bring about a great story. I am the black sheep too, by the way. All my siblings (5 of them) just walk into success, so it seems. Me, I work hard and can't get anywhere, once again- so it seems. My father, he is amazing. He works full time at this little shop, he has always been into machine repair, he just started there a few months ago and never worked with plastic injection machinery, says it is the hardest place he has ever worked. Oh, my father is 77 years old. Yeah, he has some stories, especially being half Native American Indian and half Irish from the Deep South of Mississippi.
Yay for another black sheep! It sounds like you and your family have loads of stories to share. And your father sounds like an amazing person indeed.
~~~
2serious - I appreciate your wisdom and insight on family life. That is an excellent idea for a writing prompt. Lots of drama in my formative years. I got a kick out of statement that you are the black sheep in the family. You are my definition of a success. Those seem like cruel words from a grandmother. I can just see her labeling those tiny infants, "You're a penny, you're a pound." So much for believing in someone and helping them reach their full potential. Proud of you for charting your own course. Marianne Williamson, an inspirational writer said, "Regardless of how rough your childhood was, its over." That was an ah hah moment for me. I've quit pouting about my past. Maybe now I can put it to some good use and write about it.
Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them. And thank you for sharing that quote from Marianne Williamson. It does make a lot of sense! I look forward to reading your stories .
~~~
StephBee  - A penny can buy some flour and flour can ground into a "pound" cake. Keep living the adventure. Drama is filled with adventure and family dynamics. Look at Romeo and Juliet. Great newsletter - very inspirational.
I love that one, thank you! And I happen to love pound cake  . Thank you for your kind words!
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Marci Missing Everyone - This was a great newsletter and gave me quite a bit of food for thought. I have tons of family stories tucked neatly away in my memory. In fact, my grandparents kissed before they were ever really introduced to each other. The first time I heard this, it shocked me. Now, their story seems like that of old movie. Then my own children keep me laughing on a daily basis. I need to write down those stories. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Your grandparents kissed before they were ever really introduced to the other? There is definitely an interesting story there! I hope to read it one day .
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Dodgy Steve - Hey thanks for featuring my story. first one i have written so it was nice to get some positive recognition.
You are most welcome!
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
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Drama: July 03, 2013 Issue [#5761]
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