I
am told that when my grandfather was only 5 or 6 years old, his family
returned to Sweden for an entire summer. His parents wanted to reconnect
with the family they had left behind when they immigrated to the United
States. As the story goes, my grandfather talked in Swedish so much
that summer, that when he began school in September, he couldn’t
remember any English, and the teachers had to place him in special
classes.
I
just heard that story for the first time a few months ago, and I wish
I knew more like it. There are so many things I don’t know about
my own immigration story. Why did my ancestors come? What kind of
work did they do when they first arrived? How were they treated?
Last
September, I began working with hurricane evacuees through my local
congregation. Most of the people we have been assisting are recent
immigrants from Central America. As we continue to walk alongside
these families, I am more and more aware of how difficult it is to
be perceived as an immigrant in this country. I’ve also realized
that I want to know more about the immigration experiences of my ancestors.
In
the coming months, I plan to organize a small group from my church
to explore our personal immigration stories. We will connect our stories
with those of the Bible, present-day immigrants, indigenous people,
and Africans who were brought here against their will. I hope we can
begin to cure the historical amnesia that keeps us ignorant and makes
us bitter. In the process, I hope we can find our common heritage
as children of God.
Tim
Houston, TX
ADD
A COMMENT
COMMENTS...
To:
Idilio
Why
don't you stop hijacking other people's stories and don't denigrate
their efforts to state their own opinions? I think this man's story
was excellently written. He wrote about trying to help other's through
the words of God and his own actions; he didn't write so you could
bring everything he writes about down. Don't act "holier than
thou" because you came here legally. This is a wonderful site
where people come to tell their stories, not for people to bring
other people down through legal technicalities. Please, find something
better to do with your time than criticizing other people you don't
even know.
Maria
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
ADD
A COMMENT
I
don't agree with Tim's notion when he states: "I am more and
more aware of how difficult is it to be perceived as an immigrant
in this country". The writer of the story does not seem to
have the most basic knowledge or information about the conditions
emigrants live IN ALL OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. My experience
as an emigrant in the USA (I have been here 47 years) is completely
different. Maybe the Central Americans he is talking about are illegals,
poor, illiterates and with very poor attitudes toward our Country.
Many immigrants come to this Country to plunder it, and send the
loot (Yankee dollars) home, without any interest in learning English
or assimilating into this generous society that receives and welcomes
so many ungrateful people from all over the world. The first few
years after my arrival were not easy with two children and making
$2.30 an hour, but the opportunities were there to be reached if
you were willing pay the price in hard work, study and sacrifice.
This is the best Country in the World to live...if you agree to
pay the price.
Idilio
M. Gonzalez
La Palma, California
ADD
A COMMENT
-1-0.gif)
