2016-12-6

Born in Bielefeld, Germany to Bosnian refugee parents, Spent a small amount of time in the country but family forced to move due to German government revoking status, Family moved to the United States to St. Louis were parents found employment first at low paying jobs and eventually father started a construction company while mother is employed at a check processing center for US Bank, Visits Bosnia every other year and feels that he fits in well in either Bosnia or the United States, Going as a child is difficult as some things are hard to get used to but as an adult the trip is enjoyable, Believes that if the war did not occur the former Yugoslavia would be an economic powerhouse and the rates of poverty that are seen now in Bosnia would not exist, St. Louis was chosen by his family and many others due to a sense of familiarity where everything else was foreign St. Louis had a large Bosnian population and Bosnian business that made it seem somewhat familiar, There is a sense that the government gives free money to Bosnian but that is a misconception that is shared by many, There are people who say negative things and ask why Bosnians are stealing jobs and why they do not leave, Believes this is due to a lack of proper dialogue and education on Bosnia, The war along with the genocide that happened that make it impossible to go back to Bosnia, Would love to a future where the genocide that happened is something that students learn about in school and that all genocide not just the Bosnian one are discussed in order to educate people, Believes that the newer generation is losing out on the rich Bosnian culture and background and sees this as truly sad, Wants future generations to try and maintain the culture and traditions while also living the American values they hav