The WTF Community Event was a space focused on art, healing, and action, featuring live music, hands-on art, wellness offerings, and opportunities to connect with other organizations doing meaningful work. Maryam was warmly welcomed by the community, and also got reaffirming messages that Ohioans indeed want immigrants to feel at home. 

There’s a universal truth among Ohioans of all political persuasions — we love Mexican restaurants. Let’s unpack this. Let’s talk about the urban-rural divide. On immigration, are we really as divided as we are told?

Pancho’s Tacos in Mount Vernon, population 17,000, is similarly beloved, but temporarily closed. They had an immigration raid last week, but the community is rallying behind the restaurant. ABC 6 interviewed community members who attended a demonstration in support of staff.

Despite stereotypes, Ohioans in small and medium-sized towns are not a monolith. Many love the fact that people from all over the world are choosing to make Ohio their home, bringing their families and new foods, traditions, music, and culture to places that were once sleepy, monolithic, and at risk of losing their industries and economies. 

Art helps us process the idea of “place,” especially when governments build borders overnight, and force us to live between them. Indigenous people understand this better than anyone.

Get to The Sculpture Center in Cleveland before November 8 to see Federico Cuatlacuatl’s exhibit, “Xoxal: Baño de Fuego.”

For the first time ever, we’re making digital versions of the Ohio Migration Anthology completely free! Download Volume 1, “Far From Their Eyes,” here and Volume 2, “(Everything Is) Cells and Bodies,” here.

OIA’s presentation for community groups

The Fulani people are the largest nomadic ethnic group in the world, with significant presence in Ohio. Houleye Thiam, whose poetry was featured in Volume 1 of the Ohio Migration Anthology, anchored “Pulaagam: A Celebration of Fulani Heritage,” an event curated by Maryam Sy.

Thiam welcomed the crowd with a brief introduction to Fulani pride and the program. “In Fulani culture,” she said, “in order for you to shine, I don't have to dim my light. We can all shine together.”