Daily Dose of Protest: Beyond The Border – Bhi Bhiman

Photo Credit: rich, via flickr

Bhi Bhiman is an American singer-songwriter born from Sir Lankan immigrants. His latest single and video, “Beyond The Border” explores the plight of immigrants coming into the USA.

Bhiman describes the tune as being about “an undocumented Latino immigrant who has twice been displaced.” The displacement initially takes place from Central America which is followed by the heartbreak of being separated from love ones at the US border.

Along with the poignant lyrics, the visuals chronicles the historical struggles of immigrants. This includes European immigrants, which effectively highlights the tragic irony that much of the current hatred towards immigrants comes from descendants of those seeking refugee from harsh conditions.

One of the poignant lyrics which highlights the lack of empathy towards those fleeing other countries is “it’s like we’re an outbreak, and they’re the treatment, they give us heartache, and keep all of the freedom.”

Bhiman made the following statement concerning the objective of both the tune and video: “If I can open people up to a better understanding of other people and cultures, and see them not as an issue, or a statistic, but as human beings who want to live in peace, work hard and raise their children, then I will have done a good job.”

All of the song’s proceeds will benefit the International Rescue Committee and FWD.us, organizations that aid refugees globally and focus on  US immigration and criminal justice reform.