This week Define American, the organization dedicated to changing the conversation about immigration and changing perceptions of immigrants in the United States, launched their new digital tool aimed at collecting stories on what it truly means to be “American” today. The tool, developed by Fission Strategy, allows anyone to digitally share their story and tell the world how they give meaning to the word through stories, videos, audio, and photos.  With this tool immigrants, immigrant allies, and citizens alike can voice their opinions and connect with others facing persecution and difficulties associated with a broken immigration system.

“From our inception, we sought to tell and share stories of not just undocumented immigrants, but also their allies,” said Jake Brewer, a member of the Fission Strategy team and co-founder of Define American. “We look forward to people from all walks of life -- of all ages, all backgrounds and political leanings -- answering the question ‘How do you Define American?’”

Once stories, videos, audio, and/or images have been uploaded through the story tool on Define American’s site, they can be instantly viewed on a map that constantly cycles through different stories from around the country. Visitors to the site can immediately visualize the diversity and scope of what being an American means to those living here, all with the intention of demonstrating that unique life experiences and common goals exemplify what it means to be American.

Big names such as Stephen Colbert, Russell Simmons, Senator Robert Menendez, Craigslist.org founder Craig Newmark, Senator Michael Bennet, and others have already contributed their stories and definitions of American to the site. Students at the Northwest Yeshiva High School in Seattle, WA have contributed their stories as well, putting the number of stories submitted to over 500 in the first few days. The goal to start the first week with 1000 stories seems easily within reach.

“I shared my personal story to lay bare the realities and complexities of living as an undocumented immigrant. But I’m just one person; it’s just one story,” said Vargas. Clearly, others have stories to tell and want the world to know they are Americans too.

“The ultimate success to us is people starting to talk openly, despite political or divided lines,” said Brewer.