Right to Dream
On our way to the Spirit Awards, Pedro and I missed our freeway exit. We ended up in the neighborhood where my family first moved in the US, passing by my bus stop in 7th grade. My younger undocumented self would’ve never imagined that 20 years ahead, I’d be on that very street again driving to an awards ceremony. Dreaming at the time felt unrealistic, due to my family’s immigration status. The world can be so unjust that even having an aspiration is not readily accessible for all of us.
As we drove on, I asked Pedro about his hopes for 2024. I was so delighted to hear him talk about his future plans, because as Pedro devastatingly admits in our film, he doesn’t like to think about the future. Perhaps, it’s easier to have dreams when people around us encourage us to pursue them. As someone told me once: “How will your dreams come true, if you don’t dream at all?”
It’s only January 16. If you haven’t already, give yourself permission to dream a dream today. Here’s “Dreamer” by our songwriter, Julie Yeeun Kim, to get the juices flowing.
