This multimedia MEDIUM set of stories was jointly authored by Yara Al-Athel, Tiajna Amayo, Juan Carlos Castillo, Nick Cicchitelli, Laura Cross, Catherine Gessner, Dana Ghanem, Emily Marks, Pedro Molina, Devin Van Houten and Frankie Wong (alphabetical order). Editors were Susan Moeller and Daphne Wales.

(MY)GRATION • Kicking Keds

Dance is its own language and it brings its own pure joy. Watch my feet say what I cannot.

“I can make my own home wherever I go.”

Follow the trajectory of my object as it migrates from California, USA to Colorado, USA.

Kicking Keds Migrating.

“Swing dancing is an international activity.”

KEDS are just another ordinary shoe, but to Stephanie, they’re a symbol of happiness and human connection.

Since Keds sponsored a lindy hop event in the UK, people wear them as a symbol of the swing dance community to show their investment in the activity. When Stephanie learned about a swing dance club at her university, she took the initiative to try something she has never done before, and it was worth it.

Now she has a community where she feels a sense of belonging; where words don’t have to be said in order to express her feelings. She believes that the dance itself is an international language that she can use to interact with people from all walks of life.

Through the Salzburg Global Seminar she has found a safe and welcoming place to learn more about the current migration crisis and what she can do to help. She fully understands that the migration situation cannot be improved instantly, but she is willing to take baby steps that will create meaningful change. In the future, she wishes to pursue her passion in whichever field she chooses.

To migrate to another story in the series click on one of the object photos below OR click to return to the (MY)GRATION home page.