Celebrities Reveal Their Immigrant Stories In 6 Powerful Words

BC’s sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat,” based on Eddie Huang’s memoir of the same name, has become a hit by telling the story of one immigrant family’s journey from Taiwan to America.

Now the show’s creator is sharing hundreds of immigrants’ stories in a new book, with each story told in six powerful words.

The book ― edited by Larry Smith, creator of the famed six-word memoir series ― sheds light on what it’s like to leave one’s country to start a new life in America. The book contains hundreds of stories from famous, notable and everyday immigrants who come from all around the world. It explores everything from their thoughts on “smelly” foods and masked accents to the sweat, courage and determination it took to begin anew in the United States.

As President Donald Trump works to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program ― which would directly affect the lives of 790,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children ― perhaps it’s the perfect time to hear immigrants and first-generation Americans tell their own stories of how they found their identity in the U.S.

Below, see a selection of short memoirs from “Six Words Fresh Off the Boat: Stories of Immigration, Identity, and Coming to America.” 

We exist because these stories exist.

Nahnatchka Khan, creator of ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” sitcom

America gonna Panda Express Chipotle everyone.

Eddie Huang, celebrity chef and author of the memoir “Fresh Off the Boat”

In 1941, I was a refugee.

Madeleine Albright, America’s first female secretary of state

Even after internment, still love America.

George Takei, actor

A better life for our children.

Mila Kunis, actress