Nov 08 2017

“I am an American”

  • November 8, 2017

October 23 – November 8, 2017: Alex Alpharaoh, DACA recipient and spoken word artist, has been essential helping STF advocate for the human rights of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This fall Alex has performed his show, “WET: A DACAmented Journey,” at the STF Leadership Workshop, Santa Monica HS, Palisades Charter HS, Sierra Canyon School, Carson HS, Crossroads School, Culver City HS and New Roads School. He will be at Golden Valley on November 29. Thousands of students and teachers have witnessed Alex’s emotional journey about growing up undocumented in Los Angeles, and his fear of living in the shadows in this country he calls home.

Alex reminded audiences, “I am as American as you are. I’ve been here since I was three months old. The only difference between us is I don’t have documents that say I’m American.”

Scroll to see photos from each event:

Before the event, Alex Alpharaoh runs through some pre-performance exercises with Palisades Charter HS STF leaders on October 23. Photo by Bart Bartholomew
Freshmen through seniors are moved by Alex Alpharaoh’s performance at Palisades Charter HS, and ask a long stream of questions. Photo by Bart Bartholomew
STF leaders introduced Alex Alpharaoh to more than 600 middle and upper school students at Sierra Canyon School on October 25. Photo by Kristin Ghazarians
On October 26, Alex Alpharaoh reminded more than 400 Carson HS students that an individual is more than their immigration status: “I am not the circumstance so I don’t label myself as an immigrant or as undocumented. I push the envelope. When I trained to become an actor, I didn’t let my status dictate what I could do. I never lost faith in myself and in the work I was doing.” Photo by Kristin Ghazarians
After performing for the junior class at Crossroads School on Friday, November 3, Alex Alpharaoh meets with individual students including STF leaders. Photo by Kristin Ghazarians
When asked the most frequent misconceptions about DACA recipients, Alex told 350 Culver City HS students, “That we aren’t just like you, that we are criminals and bad people. Remember, I didn’t ask to be in this position.” Alex performed at Culver City HS on November 7. Photo by Kristin Ghazarians
During the Q&A at New Roads School on November 8, Alex Alpharaoh encouraged the more than 400 students to take action to protect the human rights of DACA recipients, including participating in STF activities. After the event, dozens of students signed petitions to Congressional leaders calling for a clean DREAM Act. Photo by Kristin Ghazarians

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