INTRODUCTION
For many years, and since the birth
of this country, the United States of America has been considered the country
founded by immigrants, for immigrants. The land of endless opportunities and freedom
for all. For many people, these values are held up to their standards, for
others these are just words said in order to appeal to the outsiders. Over the
course of time, people from outside countries have found themselves migrating
to this country in hopes of the freedom and endless opportunities that are
consistently promised to everybody. They come in pursuit of better jobs,
financial situations, education, quality of life, and the famous American
dream. But what actually is the American dream that so many people find
themselves endlessly chasing? Are the sacrifices that come with chasing this
dream/goal worth the pursuit? Is the reality of the American lifestyle
consistent with this dream that so many people cross deserts, bodies of water,
and borders in order to obtain? Most importantly, is this vague dream
obtainable or, at the end of the day, just another dream?
The following play is made up of a
series of interviews regarding the topic of immigration, expectations of what
America has to offer, the infamous American dream, and the reality of day to
day American life. These interviews were conducted with real people that in one
way or another are either first handedly involved with immigration or have
little, no connection with the topic. Three groups were set in place for this
series. Group A consists of individuals that were born and raised in a
different country and later on migrated to the United States and now have a set
and stable life in this country. Group B consists of individuals that have
lived in America their whole life and are either full blooded American, or
first-generation children. Finally, group C consists of individuals that are
currently living outside of the country and want to come out to America either
to live here for the rest of their life in the pursuit of the American
life/dream, or just want to come to America for a short amount of time to visit
and experience a taste of the life Americans live on a day to day basis. All of
the following interviewees where found through the interviewer by daily
contact.
Interviewees:
Group A (Migrants):
-
Salvador Marquez
-
Esperanza Garcia
-
Adela De Alva
-
Pedro Velasco Velasco
-
Jorge Luis Hurtado Briseñas
-
Ludivina and Luis
-
Yestelin Godinez
Group B (USA citizens/1st Gen children)
-
Pedro
Velasco De Alva (Pedro Jr.)
-
Andy Williams
-
David and Nikki Humphreys
-
Lizbeth and Evelyn Garcia
-
Ava Asefirad
-
Darren and Lauren
Group C (Mexican citizens)
-
Jose Antonio Velasco
-
Alfredo Velasco
-
Ruby Luquin
Interviewee
descriptions:
-
Salvador Marquez: A tall and slim Mexican man. Has
black hair, olive toned skin, almond shaped brown eyes, and braces. Friendly
smile that matches a friendly face.
-
Adela De Alva: petite figure, big curls, dark
brown, shoulder length hair. Has medium sized dark brown eyes and a light
complexion.
-
Pedro
Velasco Velasco: Abbot 5’8-5’9. Medium body frame, light tan complexion.
Almond shaped, hazel eyes. Mild balding, black hair and mustache. Stern face,
kind eyes.
-
Pedro
Velasco De Alva: 5’11, medium body build. Medium brown hair, light
complexion with olive undertone. Round, light brown eyes.
-
Andy Williams: 5’11- 6’0, Slim figure.
Caucasian, light complexion. Kind face. Almond shaped, light brown eyes.
-
David Humphreys: 6’2, broad shoulders, thick
dark brown hair. Mustache, light complexion, kind smile. Medium sized, brown
eyes.
-
Nikki Humphreys: Petite, round blue eyes, blonde
hair. Heart shaped face, bright smile. Light complexion.
-
Lizbeth Garcia: about 5’4. Olive undertone skin.
Light brown hair. Round/almond brown eyes.
-
Evelyn Garcia: Burgundy hair, slim body type, Round
brown eyes. Oval shaped face. About 5’4.
-
Herlinda Aguirre: 5’1. Light tan complexion.
Short, thick, black hair and round dark brown eyes.
-
Jose Velasco: 6’3. Broad shoulders with a medium
build. Thick jet-black hair, and dimples on both cheeks whenever he smiles. Dark
brown round eyes.
-
Alfredo Velasco: 6’4. Broad shoulders with Slim
build. Black thick hair, and light complexion. Dark brown, almond eyes.
-
Ruby
Luquin: 5’4. Tan complexion. Thick black hair, dimples on both cheeks
when she smiles. Braces, light brown eyes.
-
Ava Asefirad: 5’3, thick curly black hair, light
tan/olive undertone complexion. Bright smile. Heart shaped face. Slim build. Dark
brown eyes.
-
Jorge Luis Hurtado: about 5’7-5’8. Black hair,
light skin tone. Dark Brown eyes, beard, kind smile. Oval shaped face.
-
Darren: Medium build, tan complexion, beard,
black hair, dark brown eyes.
-
Lauren: petite build, light tan complexion,
light brown eyes, ombre hair color.
-
Yestelin Godinez: short, thick black hair.
Petite and slim build. Light tan complexion. Light brown/hazel colored eyes.
Narrator/interviewer walks to the middle
of the stage. There is a single spotlight, and the rest of the stage is dark. She
pulls up a stool, takes a sip of water, sits down, and looks out to the
audience.
Interviewer: *clears throat* Hey guys, I’m glad you
could make to today’s segment of first generational childhood trauma. *Quietly
chuckles* No, but seriously, thank you for coming here, and listening to
what I have to say. *Takes a deep breath and looks out to the dark room that
consumes the audience looking back at her* So where do I start? Uhm, my
name is Nohemy. I’m 23 years old, I was born and raised here in Reno. I’m a
student as well as a nanny. I’m the oldest of two children, and both of my
parents migrated here when they got married back in 1996. Being a first-generation
child is uh, it’s interesting. Not in a bad way, but also not in a good way. It
definitely plays a big part in the person and woman I am today. *Looks down
at hands and shoes, then looks back up* I always wonder what my life would
have been like had my parents decided to not come to the states. I wonder how
different my life would have been if I was born in Mexico and lived there to
this day. Would I still have the same thoughts, opinions, and personality?
Would I be wanting to live in America the way most people in Mexico do? Would I
be asking myself these exact questions, wondering what would have been if my
parents had decided to cross over to America? *Stands up, grabs microphone
with her right hand, and put her left hand in her left pocket* It’s weird
to think about the “What if’s” in life. At least to me it is. Because of the
fact that my parents were migrants, they had to work twice as hard, if not
more, than your average American. I never thought much of it at the time.
Because, as a kid, our perception of what a normal life is, has a lot to do
with what our life is like. Especially when we don’t socialize with other
children. What I’m getting at is that I didn’t have a normal “American”
childhood. My childhood was either spent in the back of the car while my mom
drove from door to door selling Jafra cosmetics, jewelry, blankets, pots and
pans, and perfumes that she would get from the alleyways in LA, or spent at a
babysitters house while my mom was out working. My childhood consisted of my
mom telling me to call her clients and ask them if she could stop by to offer
them anything or if they had a payment, they wanted to give her for whatever
they owed her. I was basically born to be either a secretary, or a sale/businesswoman.
Again, this was normal to me. I didn’t know that this wasn’t the case for other
kids out there. My childhood consisted of my parents telling me not to ask them
for anything at the store because they only had enough for groceries and
nothing else. It wasn’t until I started middle school that I noticed that I
never really had a childhood. Now, I don’t hold that against my parents. I understand,
at least now I do, that they had priorities that didn’t include buying me the
72 pack of colored pencils that everyone else at school had.
*chokes up slightly, looks away from the crowd and takes
a deep breath*
It’s okay though. It’s okay that I had to consistently tell
everyone that I would bring 12 colored pencils at a time because my mom didn’t
trust me enough to bring the 72 pack, even though it was a lie so I could fit
in with them. It’s okay that I didn’t get barbies at the store when I went with
my mom, I never really liked dolls anyway. It’s okay that we would drive to LA
Friday night, buy a bunch of stuff, to resale here in Reno, Saturday morning,
then drive back Saturday evenings. It’s okay. Yes, it sucked, but at the end of
the day, it’s okay because it’s what my parents had to do to be where they are
today and give me the life I’ve had. *sits back down on the stool and drinks
some water* It keeps me sane to know that for the majority of first-generation
children, these types of situations are common. I like knowing I’m not alone
and that I’m not the only one that went through this type of life experience.
Anyways, that’s enough ranting.
* chuckles and mutters to herself*
“Sheesh Mimi, tell us how you really feel!” Anyways, the
following interviews are about just that. What migrants sacrifice and leave
behind in order to have this American life and achieve the American dream. So,
without further ado, more migrant and first-generation trauma!
*spotlight fades out and a light gradient light focuses
on the interviewees that are sitting in the back of the stage*
*interviewer sits in front of the interviewees and
commences to ask questions*
*as each interviewee answers questions, the soft lights
intensify slightly on the person speaking to give them the attention while
speaking*
Interviewer: would you like to start off by telling us your
name, age, and occupation?
Salvador: My
name is Salvador Márquez. I’m 26 years old, and I work fulltime at a body
shop, and I also do photography on the side.
Andy: I’m Andy Williams. I’m 48, and I’m a teacher.
Pedro: My name is Pedro Velasco Velasco, I’m 49, and I’m a
cook.
David and Nikki: My name is David Humphreys, I’m 32 years
old, and I work in the oil and gas industry. *looks at Nikki* My name is Nikki
Humphreys, I’m 27 years old, and I’m a mom.
Adela: my name is Adela, I’m 46 years old, and I’m a
housekeeper. Well, I have a house cleaning business.
Lizbeth and Evelyn: (Lizbeth) I’m Lizbeth Garcia. I’m 22,
and I’m a staff accountant. (Evelyn) I’m Evelyn Garcia, I’m 18 years old, and
I’m an activity attendant at sierra kids.
Jorge: My name is Jorge Luis Hurtado, I’m 24 years old and I
have an international culinary degree, so I’m a chef.
Ruby: My name is Ruby, I’m 20, and I’m a student.
Ava: My name is Ava Asefirad, I’m 22, and I’m a unity clerk
Pedro Jr: My name is Pedro Velasco De Alva, I’m 18 years old.
I’m a full time college student as well as a fulltime Rack Agent at casino here
in town.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) My name is Lauren, I’m…31? *looks
over at her husband* (Darren) why are you looking at me? Its your age. *they
both chuckle* (Lauren continues) Yeah, I’m 31, and I’m a wedding
photographer. (Darren) My name Darren, I’m 38, and I uhm, what would I be? *looks
at Lauren* I’m part of the business. So yeah, wedding photography.
Jose: My name is Jose, I’m 20, and I’m a student.
Alfredo: My name is Alfredo, I’m 29 years old, and I’m a
mechanic.
Yestelin: My name is Yestelin, I’m 22 years old, and I’m a
nursing student.
Interviewer: Where were you born and raised
Salvador: I was born in Chicago. So my parents were living
here. They were in a lot of debt in Mexico, so they moved to Chicago to work,
and they stayed there for 4 years and they brought me back to Mexico when I was
about 1 or 2.
Andy: I was born in Hollywood, and when I was about 5 we
moved to Sparks NV. I’ve lived in Reno/Sparks ever since.
Pedro: I was born in San Miguel de La Paz Jal. And I was
raised there.
David and Nikki: (David) I was born in Aptos CA, I moved to
reno in the 7th grade, I then moved to FL for a short time in the 9th
grade, then I moved to ohi CA for the rest of high school, and then to AZ for
college, then back to Reno after college. (Nikki) I was born and raised here in
Reno!
Adela: I was born in Orange county CA, but I was raised in
Mexico.
Lizbeth and Evelyn: (Both) Reno NV.
Jorge: I was born and raised in La Barca Jalisco, Mexico.
Ruby: I was born in Ocotlan Jalisco, and I was raised her in
San Miguel De La Paz.
Ava: Here in Reno NV
Pedro Jr: Here in Reno Nevada.
Esperanza: I was born and raised in a small town named La
Paz de Ordaz Mexico.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) I was born and raised in Recita
CA. (Darren) I was born in Sri Lanka, and I was raised in the San Fernando
Valley.
Jose: I was born in La
Barca Jalisco, and I was raised in San Miguel de La Paz.
Alfredo: I was born in La Barca Jalisco, and I was raised in
San Miguel de La Paz
Yestelin: I was born and raised in Jalisco Mexico, until I
was about 9 years old.
Interviewer: Have you ever lived outside of the country?
Andy: I haven’t
travelled very much at all. I’ve been to a handful of states, and that’s about
it.
David and Nikki: (David) I studied abroad in college.
(Nikki) Nope!
Lizbeth and Evelyn: No, never.
Ava: No
Pedro Jr: Uhm, we lived in Mexico for about a year. That
didn’t work out though so we came back here to Reno.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) nope. (Darren) Uhm, well I lived
in Sri Lanka for 3 years and then I did 7 months in Afghanistan but other than
that no.
Alfredo: Uhm no, I’ve lived in Mexico my whole life, but I
was able to get a visitors’ visa and go visit the states once for about a week.
I went to Chicago to see my family.
Interviewer: How old were you when you first moved here
Salvador: I was 18 years old.
Pedro: I was 17 ½ years old when I first crossed over. I
went to Anaheim and I lived there for about a year and 2 months.
Adela: I was like 17 1/2, almost 18.
Esperanza: Uhm, I
was… *stares off and tries to count* Well, I was pregnant with my
youngest, and she’s 46 now, so 30?
Yestelin: I was 9
years old when we tried to cross over here for the first time, then 13 when we
came over successfully.
Interviewer: What
encouraged you to move to USA
Salvador: well for one, I wasn’t in a position to go to
college in Mexico, because I grew up in a small town. If I wanted to go to
college, I had to move out to the big city and, for financial reasons, that
wasn’t an option. So my mom, she brought up the idea. She said, “listen, you’re
American, why don’t you go to America. Try it for a year, learn English, and if
you don’t like it you can come back. And now, with the English it can help you
in the future.” So I came to try it out, and I liked it, so here I am.
Pedro: when I came for the first time, I didn’t have a goal,
per say. I came because I kept hearing all my friends and neighbors, that had
been here before. They all said that it was great here, that there was jobs for
everybody everywhere, and everybody had a nice car that they were able to get
here. So I thought that I would be able to get some of those things here too.
Adela: I wanted to know how to speak in English like
everyone that came out here. I didn’t understand anything in English. When I
first got here, I remember I went to church with my family, and the mass was
being told in English and I didn’t understand it at the time, but basically I
leaned into my aunt and asked her if God understood English. They all laughed
at me *starts laughing*
Jorge: Well, I had a degree right? And that wasn’t enough
for me to have a life that, I could confidently say, was fully comfortable.
Like, biweekly, I was making around $4,500 pesos. In dollars, that’s roughly
$250 biweekly. So let’s say that I was making $500 a month, and from that I had
to pay around $200 for rent. Then I had to buy groceries, and transportation
because I obviously didn’t have enough to have my own car. So taxis and ubers
were about another $150 a month. Groceries were about maybe $200 a month. I
always had about $100 left over for me at the end of the month, which over there,
isn’t enough to even go out to eat at a restaurant. Working wise, I work the
same amount I work here yet here I make enough to take care of myself and be
able to send some to my parents.
Esperanza: my husband was over here, and he wasn’t sending
any more money for us. When he would send money, it wasn’t enough for all of
us. My shop that I had wasn’t doing well, so basically, I needed to find a way
to take care of my kids. Two, and the one I was expecting.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) Well, I know that my mom came
over looking for her dad. She crossed over illegally and just stayed. (Darren)
Uhm, there was a civil war going on in Sri Lanka at the time. I was 3 when my
parents migrated here seeking refuge.
Yestelin: My mom just wanted to give us a better life.
Interviewer: When people migrate out to America, they often
have expectation about what life is like here in the states. Do you think that
their expectations will be met vs the reality of what life here in America is
actually like?
Pedro: Uhm, no. I don’t think so, because people come here
with the image of America being great and easy and fulfilling. Just how I came
the first time. And the reality is that you’re so alone all the time and you
work from the minute the sun rises to the minute the sun sets and its just like
that all the time.
Andy: I uh, I don’t think that it will be met. *nervous
chuckle* I think that the American dream never existed. I think that the idea
is there, and its possible, but with the greed that has overcome our society
right now, its just not possible. I see it as a lot better than other
situations that they might be coming from. If they don’t get deported, in
today’s horrible situation that’s going on currently. I’ve seen articles about
a lot of people coming and having a great life for them and for their families,
but I’ve heard horror stories as well. I think that the American dream is
possible, but not easily obtainable.
David and Nikki: (David) uhm, I think for the majority, it
will meet their expectations and then sum. I went to boarding school and I was
affiliated with tennis my whole life. So I was surrounded with nothing but
foreigners. If anything, I felt like the foreigner with them. Whether they came
for school, or work, or for a visa, they always said that there were more opportunities
here than back in their homelands. (Nikki) I think that we have more
opportunities here, but we don’t have equal opportunities. I think we’re a very
“Who you know” society, and I think that coming here you have the chances of
achieving these opportunities, but immigrants have to work ten times harder
than David or I would have to work.
Jorge: I think it
depends on the mentality of each person. I mean, I think there’s a difference
between what you think life is going to be like, and what life is actually like
here. I think people always paint the perfect picture of what this country is
like, but nobody tells you what its like to actually be here. *stares off
into deep thought* Like, people don’t tell you how lonely it is here. When
you don’t have your family or the settings you’re used to. The routine here is
to work and go home and just keep repeating that day after day, and when you
miss your family, the best you can do is video call them if you’re able to, or
just call them and hear their voices.
Ruby: I want to say yes. Because the thought of them going
for a better life and not actually receiving that is sad. But I know that for
migrants they basically have to start off at the bottom so obviously its going
to be harder, well their day to day life, for them. And I don’t think that they’re
expecting that. They expect getting there and working right away, but most of
them don’t get a job immediately or even manage to cross over successfully.
Ava: I don’t know as far as my dad goes. I know he moved around
a lot, so I think he was comfortable with change. However my mom, I think there
was a fantasy to America, just how it is with most of the people that migrate
here. I think she didn’t realize how hard you have to work in order to obtain
the life you want here. Like she came
from a wealthy family in Iran, so it was definitely a major culture shock to
her, and the language barrier was difficult for her too.
Esperanza: I don’t know. I didn’t know what to expect here.
I just knew I needed my family to be together and well, I brought my kids with
me, and we came to see if we could figure things out and give them a better
life than the one we were having.
Pedro Jr: I don’t think so. I think people often think that
it’s easy to live here, but it takes a lot of work.
Jose: I think yes. I’m fairly sure everyone is aware that
you have to work super hard in order to obtain everything you want over there.
Especially since the quality of life here is pretty bad.
Alfredo: Uhm, well. When I went to visit everybody was
living a particularly good life. Like, to them, it was a barely getting by
life. But from what I grew up with, it was a great life. So I think yes and no?
Like, yes because its definitely better than what life is like here in Mexico,
but no because in America, its not as great as other people.
Yestelin: I mean, as a kid, I thought it was going to be
easier. But it ended up being more complicated for my whole family than I
thought it would be.
Interviewer: What do you miss about Mexico
Salvador: a lot of
things. Uhm, my friends, the culture, the lifestyle. The fact that you can step
outside and see your best friend, your crush, just anybody. It’s so small, and
everyone knows each other.
Pedro: honestly, when you start to think about what life is
actually like here, I think what I miss the most is, considering that I come
from a small town where everyone knows each other, I miss that I can go out and
see everyone I’ve known my whole life. Being able to go outside at night after
a workday and see my friends at the plaza. The fact that life feels freer, and
that people are freer with themselves, and well, my family.
Adela: I really miss what my childhood was like. I miss my
friends and the people I grew up with. Other than that, not much.
Jorge: *Takes a deep breathe* ahhhh the food! *laughs,
then adds quietly* I really miss my family. I’m super close to them, we did
everything together growing up. But, as a chef myself, I definitely miss the
food, and being able to get fresh food every day. Like, down the street from my
house in Mexico, I could get fresh fish straight out of the lake. I also miss my friends, being able to go out
freely every day. I miss a lot of things, but most of all my family.
Esperanza: my house, and my friends and neighbors. But
mainly my house.
Interviewer: What were your expectations of life in USA?
Salvador: I was pretty, uhm, not scared, not skeptical. I
didn’t know what it was going to be like. I was like, “okay I’ll go for a year,
and see what it’s like.” I had been here before, but for a week. So I didn’t
know what it was going to be like, and I didn’t speak any English. So I was
scared. I didn’t know what to expect or what would happen.
Pedro: honestly, I didn’t really expect anything. I just
kind of wanted to come work, make money, get a car or a nice bike and be able
to send money back to my family to take care of them. I guess, in a sense, that
I thought I was going to be able to start working from the moment I got here,
but I went like four months without working and basically eating only once a
day. So yeah, I was extremely disappointed.
Jorge: I mean, I had already been here before. But I came on
vacation and to visit the family. But this time around I came with the
mentality that I was here to work and save up money for me and my family. So,
at first it was definitely hard, I mean, I took English classes back in
college, but speaking it at school isn’t the same as speaking it at a busy kitchen
where everyone is just trying to get the orders out and shouting at each other.
So I was expecting to perfect the language, show them what I know, learn more,
and save up money so that I can eventually open up my own restaurant.
Esperanza: I just wanted my family to be together but
working was difficult. I couldn’t find a job anywhere, and we were more
stressed than we were when we were separated. That’s why I didn’t last long, I took
my kids with me and we came back to Mexico.
Jose: I think they would expect a better quality of life,
and more job opportunities.
Yestelin: Uhm, I was a kid, so I didn’t know. I just thought
it was going to be immediately better than in Mexico. I remember my mom, my
stepdad, and I living with my Stepdads brother, and we all lived in a small
little room. We didn’t have furniture for the longest time, and it was
difficult to find affordable furniture for us to live with. Also, the language
barrier, and not having any family here. It was definitely harder than what we
thought what it would be like for us to find our way here. Also, being afraid
of every cop we saw, or running into ICE. It sucked.
Interviewer: In the amount of time you’ve been here, has it
been a long journey, or quick and short?
Salvador: So I’ve been here for 8 years now. I would say
that the first 3 years were long and tough. Because I was still very, “I like
it here, but if I could move back, I would.” Mainly because I was only working,
and I wasn’t socializing a lot. But then I started doing photography and that
helped a lot with meeting people and making friends, and the past 5 years have
gone by super-fast.
Pedro: It was easily the longest year in my life back then.
Everything was completely different to what I was told it would be. When I came
there were no jobs, so I didn’t work for the first four months that I was here.
I wanted to go back home, but I couldn’t because I didn’t have a job, therefore
I didn’t have money to be able to go home.
Adela: It has been super quick. I think that, when you
really sit there and think about the life you’ve lived, and the life your
children have lived, it all goes by super quick. I often look at my kids right
now, and I see them working, and going to school, and having their own routines,
it just really seems like it was just yesterday when I first came here with my
husband.
Jorge: Time here has gone by so quick. I work so much that I
just don’t really notice the days go by until I have a day off and next thing
in know its already been another week.
Esperanza:
It’s been super quick! I can’t believe it’s been that long already.
Yestelin: I’d probably say that now its going by quicker.
Now that we’re settled down and I know the language, and I know how to move
around, and I can help my parents out with translations or just to like, to
help them with anything. It’s easier now.
Interviewer: When you first came out here, what was your
specific goal?
Salvador: I don’t think I had one from the beginning but now
I definitely think I do. I think I want to be my own boss, do photography full
time, and yeah. I don’t know what else. I always have a goal in mind, so
whenever I accomplish one, I move on to the next.
Pedro: when I came here at 17 I didn’t specifically have a
goal in mind. I just wanted to make money and be able to buy a car and some
nice things that I couldn’t easily get back home. But when I came back married,
I think our goal was to be able to work so we could build a house back home,
get some land territories, and just kind of get ahead. We never really planned
on staying here for the long run. But then we had our daughter and well, our
priorities changed. So working just to be able to go back home wasn’t our main
priority anymore.
Adela: Uhm, to work, be able to build my own house back in
Mexico. Then I had my kids, and it was to be able to have a home for them to
live in. As you get older, and life keeps happening, your priorities change and
uh, yeah.
Esperanza: Uhm, to take care of my kids and be able to
provide for them and give them a good life.
Interviewer: What does the American dream mean to you
specifically
Salvador: to me, it means that if I work hard enough and go
after my goals, I have an easier time getting to them.
Andy: *takes a pause before answering* well for many people
it’s making a lot of money, that’s not it for me. It’s being happy, being safe,
and secure. Not having to worry about your life, or whether or not you’re going
to be fed. I’ve never really thought about the American dream. I’ve never been
one to want more and more and more. I’m happy here where I am, or in the middle
of where I was raised. A lot of people, its uh, you know, starting a business,
getting rich, uhm, it’s having a job. Being able to support a family and
raising good kids. That’s the American dream.
Pedro: to me, I don’t know. I mean, when I first came here,
when I was 17, I guess you could say that my dream was to be able to buy a nice
stereo to be able to take back. But when I decided to go back I didn’t have
enough money to be able to go back. So I uh, *takes a pause and chuckles sadly*
I had to sell the stereo so I could have enough money to go back home. I guess
that uh, I came chasing this “dream” but the living situation wasn’t worth the
dream. I had to let go of it to go back to my reality that was actually so much
better than what I came here looking for.
David and Nikki: (David) I think the American dream is going
out and being able to make things happen for yourself, being able to overcome
obstacles that you need to overcome and being able to make something for
yourself. Uhm, I think that the American dream is something that doesn’t feel
like you’re trapped. I think that its, being able to go out and do something you
want to do and make something of yourself. (Nikki) yeah, I think that it’s not
being maxed out on your opportunities. And I think it’s being ablet o provide
for yourself a lifestyle that you find fitting for yourself. I don’t think that
necessarily means that your neighbors are going to have the same lifestyle that
you’re going to have, but I think overall that if you are laying your head in
bed at night, and you feel successful and you feel like you are making it, and
you are providing for your family, then that’s the American dream. I think it’s
more about who you are as a person and not about finances.
Lizbeth and Evelyn: (Lizbeth) Being a first-generation
child, I think your dream changes and is different than other people. One of my
American dreams was completing college, which thank God I already finished. The
second one is having a career. I also, now have that and I’ve worked for it.
The third would be to own a house. Which in a way was like my parents’ goal.
Having a home and owning a home. Also, just being stable in general. Like never
having to worry about food, or where to sleep or transportation. Just like
having security you know. (Evelyn) For me, it would be being well of. Like
economically and having that access to education and having the ability to
access reaching my goals.
Jorge: To me, its being able to help and take care of my
parents. I mean, they both have jobs right now. My mom is a nurse, and my dad
is a social worker for the same hospital. However I would like to be able to help
them the way they helped me throughout school and college, because I didn’t go
to a public college, I went to a private culinary school. I just want to be
able to at least be able to repay them a fraction of what they did for me my
whole life. Personally, I would really like to save money, I’m now engaged so I
have to focus on my future wife. She’s a baker, and she makes pastries. I mean,
we were basically meant to be together from the beginning *chuckles and
looks down at his hands* She wants to open up a pastry/coffee shop.
So we would like to open up an overall restaurant where I would be in charge of
the food and she would be in charge of the baking. So I think it’s cool that my
dream, and her dream, were able to come together and become the dream of two
people working towards it.
Ruby: Uhm, I think it means being able to have a secure job
and not wonder if you’re going to loose your job every day. Oh, and definitely
being able to provide for your family with food and shelter. My dad is a
teacher, so education is one too.
Ava: You know, a lot of people will make it about having a
set amount of money, and a certain house, and a certain family. But I think its
more about being able to establish yourself here. Like, yes financially
obviously. But being happy with yourself and being able to give yourself what
makes you happy.
Pedro Jr: To be able to have a good job and take care of
your family if you have one, or to just be able to give yourself a good life. I
think that’s what everybody wants everywhere, but here for the most part,
that’s what immigrants are looking for I think.
Esperanza: Being able to provide for your family and make
sure that your kids have food on their plates every day and have a roof over
their heads every night, and clothes on their backs.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) I think just being able to live
out certain freedoms and being able to seek out your ambitions. Like, I have
the ability to pursue all the opportunities that are offered to me here.
(Darren) I feel like there’s a component of wealth and a component of freedom.
I think what ties it together is being able to do it on your own without any
restriction. Just overall, being able to pursue your ideals of wealth, whether
it be monetary or just freedom to roam the country and do whatever you want,
and still make a life for yourself.
Jose: To me, it would be for me to be able to go to the
states, get a good job that’s stable, be able to be financially stable enough
to take care of myself and my family here in Mexico. I would like to be able to
have a car and help my parents fix our current home because it’s starting to
have issues.
Alfredo: I think it would be uhm, having a stable job to be
able to take care of my family here in Mexico.
Yestelin: To me it was to come here for a better life. So
more opportunities for life and having a better education. I mean, I can say I
am living the American dream. I can say that I’ve worked hard for everything I
have, whether its life commodities or like school and just opportunities. I’ve
worked so hard to get my citizenship, my education, my scholarships. I’ve put
my tears and sweat into the life I have right now, so like I deserve to be
here, because I’ve earned it. So, yeah, I’m living my American dream.
Interviewer: When many people come illegally, they risk a
lot of things. One of them being their lives. Do you think this is a risk worth
taking in order to pursue a life here in America?
Andy: uhm, I think that’s up to them. Hopefully, things will
change for the better soon. Uhm, is it worth it? It’s not worth it if they get
separated from their kids forever and we can’t reunite these families. I mean,
if they’re like under threat of death where they’re coming from, maybe it is a
lot better. It should be a lot better. I mean, we’re a land based on
immigrants. We should be welcoming to everyone. It just depends on their
situations, if its better here, then yeah, come over here. If it’s not better
here, then maybe wait until a more friendly administration is in place.
Pedro: I think it is if you never forget what you go through
when you cross the border whether good or bad. I crossed the first time, and it
wasn’t a good experience. It was a really bad one to be honest. I think that
when you remember what that experience was like and what you’re leaving behind
it helps you stay motivated on why you came here in the first place.
David and Nikki: (David) *Looks over to his wife and daughters*
it’s hard to put myself in those shoes, but if life was so bad, and I couldn’t
provide for my family, and life was a downward spiral, and something needed to
happen, then yeah, I probably would take a leap of faith…and give it a try for sure.
Uhm, that’s such a tough question when you’ve never been in a position to have
to make those decisions. You know? Uhm, I do think it’s a risk worth taking as
long as you’ve done your homework on it. But yeah. It is a risk worth taking.
(Nikki) I think it’s a risk worth taking if you’re potentially going to be able
to provide for your family with a better lifestyle. But I think that the
perception of us being so unified.. and there being a sense of family in this
country. I don’t think that’s true. I think here, it’s a very dog eat dog
world. *her 3-month-old daughter starts fussing and Nikki looks down at her as
she keeps talking* I think that, well, I know, that as a mother, I would do
anything to take care of my kids and provide them with a good life.
Adela: I don’t think its worth it. I know that you can’t
gain anything when you don’t take risks, but sometimes when your life is in
jeopardy, you’re risking a lot for a little bit. I think when it comes to your
family, you really have to weigh out your options because at the end of the day
family is all we got.
Lizbeth and Evelyn: (Lizbeth) I would want to say no because
I feel as if, now, because back then I know that my parents didn’t have this
opportunity, but now it seems like people our age in Mexico, they have the same
privileges. Education wise. Not to the extent of free education. And I know
that education was a huge barrier for our parents and grandparents. (Evelyn)
It’s like, you can see it from many different perspectives. Like if the person
was consistently trying to make things work over there, then it would be like a
last resort then I would see the reasoning. But then, like they come here as
immigrants and it’s going to be hard to get a job and then you risk your life
here and like, I don’t know. I doesn’t really seem worth it to me.
Jorge: Personally, I didn’t cross over through that horrible
experience, so I wouldn’t know what that experience is like. But I feel like
the people who take that decision, they take it because they have no other
options but to do it. Often times, these people don’t have the means to take
care of their families so they think its best to risk their lives, crossing
over, so they can have the opportunity to take care of their families.
Ruby: I think so. Where I live, it’s a small town, literally
everybody knows each other. So it’s hard to get out of here and get a good job in
the bigger towns/cities. Because it’s like, these bigger towns see us from this
small town where you can walk around it in 45 minutes and they think “Uh yeah,
they don’t get good education, so they aren’t valuable to us” So the quality of
life here sucks. I mean, everyone races to shower in the morning so we can all
manage to get hot water *chuckles quietly*
Ava: I think if you come here with the will to obtain the
life you want, and have the work ethic and determination, then I think it is.
Especially if you’re coming here in order to give your family and kids a better
life, and if you’re coming from a country that is war torn and the government is
overly corrupt.
Pedro Jr: Personally, I don’t think so. I mean, I wouldn’t
do it at least. But I know that there are people that are in super messed
situations so that’s their only option.
Esperanza: yes. Because the quality of life is so much
better here than in Mexico. The government doesn’t completely abandon you here
and you can work for your future retirement here, and in Mexico it’s hard to do
that.
Jose: Personally, I don’t think it’s worth risking your
life. I mean there’s people here that are dying of hunger, or don’t have a
proper home or shelter. So it’s more of a last resort decision, to be able to
survive. Because here in their own country they’re having a life that just
isn’t good enough anymore.
Alfredo: Uhm…I think, the risk is definitely here. But a lot
of people do it in order to give their families a better life. I think, uh, I
think it is worth it. I mean, I wouldn’t do it, or at least I don’t know if I
would want to. I know that I got my visa easily because I was in the military
here. So maybe I would consider joining the military again if I really needed
to.
Yestelin: In my case, my mom and I, well my mom was pregnant
with my brother when we crossed over here. I think she was about six months along. *takes a deep breath and hesitates for a minute* The first time we
tried crossing over here, we tried to use fake visas that were given to us. So
uh, I didn’t look like the girl they gave us and they, well border control,
they figured out that we were using fake identities. *she looks down at her
hands that are now fidgeting, and her voice gets slightly shaky* So they
separate my mom and me, and I didn’t see her for a whole day I think. Maybe
longer. *starts crying* I remember the last thing I saw, before they
separated us, was my mom being put in handcuffs and being escorted away with a
border officer. They wouldn’t give me any updates or any information on what
was going on. I remember being so scared and thinking that I wasn’t going to
see my mom anymore. I mean, I was 9 years old. So I was like, what’s going to
happen? But, living the life I live now, I think it’s worth it when you do
manage to cross over and get a job and a stable life.
Interviewer: People often describe America as the land of
milk and honey. That the streets are paved with gold, and that you can come
here and basically sweep money off the streets. Do you think this is an
exaggeration to what life here in America is actually like or does the state
hold its value?
Andy: I don’t think that’s what it like here, but it might
be to them. There’s jobs here if you don’t mind doing what you do. From my
perception it definitely is an exaggeration because people have to work their
asses off. But if they want to work really hard it might be better than where
they’re from.
Pedro: I think it depends on where you come from and what
ties you have with your cultures. I personally think that it’s a bit of an
exaggeration. Like I said, many people paint this perfect picture, but they
don’t necessarily tell you about how hard you have to work and how much you
have to sacrifice in order to obtain a comfortable life here.
David and Nikki: (David) I think it’s definitely an
exaggeration. Like Nikki said, its not always what you know, it’s who you know,
and it could be just as hard over here. I think that it takes a lot of hard
work to make money and make something of yourself. Especially now a days with
competition, and working from home, and all the different hurdles that are thrown
at everybody. (Nikki) yeah, I think that its like the “grass is greener on the
other side” mentality. Like the grass might be easier to cut, and the water
might be more accessible over here, but you’re watering it just as much, and you’re
working hard on it just as hard. I think that the picture of it is better over
here, but the hard work that an immigrant is going to have to put in will be
just as hard, if not harder to maintain it. (David) yeah, I think it also
depends on the field of work that you get into. Like if you go to Watsonville
CA, you see all the immigrants there picking strawberries all day long. You see
them hunched over all day, their backs are all messed up, I mean, its definitely
not rainbows and butterflies over here. It’s a lot of hard work that the people
that cross over are doing because nobody else wants to take those jobs. (Nikki)
yeah, that shows their will and want for a better life.
Adela: I mean, those phrases definitely are an exaggeration
about life here. There are a lot of opportunities here for everyone, but you definitely
have to put the work in to be able to obtain what you want to get. I mean, I
guess it depends on the person because everybody is search of something
different.
Lizbeth and Evelyn: (Lizbeth) those statements are
absolutely false. I mean, yes you have the access to education here, but you
can have access to education anywhere also. Also, the government makes it
difficult for people who were brought here to get jobs after they graduate
college. Like, life can be better anywhere if you work for it. (Evelyn) I think
that just coming here, it won’t be a given that your life will be as great as
people make it out to be. I feel like when people talk like that, they talk
about it in the point of view of the wealthy people. The people who were able
to fully make it.
Jorge: I think this is a country where you’re able to do so
many things. Working hard, of course, nobody is going to give it to you for
free you know. This is a country where more often than not, if you work 30
hours, those 30 hours are fairly paid to you, and by fairly I mean not
underpaid. Especially in my line of work. They also offer a lot of overtime
here which can pay off in the end. I mean, again, this is a place where you have
to work a lot in order to obtain the payout that you’re looking for.
Ruby: I don’t know. I have never been there, but I think the
purpose of those statements is to show people that the quality of life over
there is better and often worth leaving everyone and everything behind to see
if you can obtain that lifestyle for your family. I know the streets aren’t
paved with gold. But maybe that means that if you walk to the right place or
with the right person you have the opportunity to have gold in your life.
Pedro Jr: It’s definitely and over statement. Like I
understand why those analogies are used, because compared to other countries,
life here is pretty great. But again, they never really include all the hard
work that it takes to be able to obtain the life that is painted here.
Esperanza: no, you have to work 10 times harder here for
what you want. I don’t think people know that lie here isn’t easy. It’s
actually hard, but its definitely worth it.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) I think it depends right? For
me, growing up here and only knowing this, its hard. Like in comparison to how
my mom had it, and how she came here with the little amount of money that she
was able to save up to get to Texas to find her dad. I feel like for her, it
was exceedingly difficult, so I know she wouldn’t have said it was super easy.
For me, I had all the luxuries that she didn’t have. Like, my mom had to fight
to be able to make these opportunities accessible for her where as they were
just there for me. Like for my mom it was, you come here with nothing and you
make something for yourself and grow it. For me, it was already grown. (Darren)
I believe there is truth to them, like any other idiom, they’re exaggerations.
I would definitely say, that in comparison to where I came from, and the places
where I’ve been *glances to the marine flag waving behind him*, If you
want to make money here, money is there to be made. And it doesn’t have to be
in an illegal way. Like in 3rd world countries, in order to expand
your wealth, you have to do it illegally. So yes, these statements do ring
true, but what people do miss when explaining, is that there’s a considerable
amount of work that’s involved. But it is more doable here, than it is anywhere
else.
Jose: I mean, I wouldn’t know. I have never been. All I know
is that hard work, and sacrifices are worth it over there. Because you can have
the basic necessities and you can afford to have more commodities. Not here
though, here basic living necessities are hard to obtain. But all I know is
that I would try to live over there and work hard to have a decent life there
in the states.
Alfredo: I don’t think so. I think they make life sound
overly easy for everybody. But the reality of it, at least what I’ve seen in my
own uncles and well family members, that its all a matter of hard work. Having
to work from the moment the sun rises, to the moment the sun sets. So, I think,
people should just be honest about the reality of what its like to be in Mexico
and not try to fill people up with a false narrative and empty promises of an
abundance of wealth that isn’t there for everybody to have.
Yestelin: I think its totally different from what people
make it out to be. Because like we always talk about how hard it is to settle
down here, but its also super difficult with all the roadblocks that are thrown
at you. Like language, or navigating in a place you don’t know, or just being
able to find someone that will help you, you know? Like, for my family and I,
the three us, because my brother wasn’t born yet, we lived in a small little
room for the longest time. We have a home now, but it took so many years and
endless hours of hard work to achieve that. And I don’t think people express
that enough. They never tell you about the long workdays, and the days where
you only eat like one meal a day and how its not easy at all.
Interviewer: If someone came up to you right now and said,
“The life you have right here, I can give it to you in Mexico.” Would you go
back to Mexico?
Salvador: Oh hell yeah. I would not think it twice. I would
take that chance in a heartbeat. Like, without a doubt.
Pedro: It would be hard because I have kids and I wouldn’t
like to leave them behind. But I would definitely consider it because I really
miss what life is like over there.
Adela: I wouldn’t immediately say yes or no. I would have to
talk about it with my family because I have to think about them. I can’t leave
them behind. I just know that wherever my family is happy, then I’m happy there
too.
Jorge: I wouldn’t even think about it twice, I would go back
home in a heartbeat.
Esperanza: I would love to go back home!
Yestelin: I would probably hesitate. I basically have lived
most of my life here in Chicago now. So going back to Mexico would be different
and a big change. Also, we have more life opportunities here than in Mexico.
Interviewer: Is the grass greener on American soil?
Salvador: I wouldn’t say so. I think it’s different for
everybody. Like I said, with my personality, the routine life works for me.
It’s the way I like to live. But I know some people that can’t stand being
here. They need to be in Mexico so feel fulfilled. It’s definitely different
here, but you can always adapt if you want to.
Andy: It has to be. You see people coming here constantly,
trying to escape their situations so, I mean, with social media and everything
right now, they should have a pretty good idea of what life is like over here,
and they’re still choosing to come, and it’s not stopping. Its slowing down
right now, and I hope it picks back up soon. I mean, I think they know that the
grass is greener. Well it shouldn’t be, I shouldn’t say that. It should be good
for them to come here, but their grass should be green too!
Pedro: I think that, well from my point of view, it depends
on the person and how their situations are here. If you’re able to come here
and find a job that will pay your bills, and then leave enough left over to be
able to send money back to your family so you can help them out. So yeah, maybe
it is greener here. Again, it depends on how it works out for the person.
David and Nikki: (David) I think that the dream is to come
and have a successful life. But the work that goes into it is hard and long and
consistent. So uh, I think yes, but it also has to do with how hard you work in
order to achieve your goals and what you’re after. (Nikki) yeah, I think that
dream is to come over here and be successful and have a beautiful home, and a
beautiful life, and a beautiful family and be a well-rounded person. But the
reality is that you’re going to have to work your butt off. I think that being
here, whether its legally or not, we all have a picture for ourselves, but it
tends to get clouded by with what our neighbors are doing. So the reality of it
is that the grass isn’t greener on the other side with anything.
Lizbeth and Evelyn: (Lizbeth) No, I don’t think so. I think
that people make it out to be like it is, but the reality is that it’s a lot of
hard work. I think it’s a matter of it being green wherever you are. Like yeah,
there may be more opportunities here, but if you work hard enough, then the
grass can be greener wherever you are. (Evelyn) Yeah, I agree. I think it’s
more of a how hard are you willing to work for it and make it green where you
are. I think that just because its America, It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s
going to be better here. It’s harder though, immigrants have to work three
times as hard to get to the start line alone here.
Jorge: I think it depends on the person and how badly you
want your dreams to work out. I feel like whatever you want to make happen
here, you can make it happen in Mexico. It’s all a matter of how badly you want
it and how much you’re willing to work for it and stay hungry for it.
Ruby: Uhm, I think it depends on the person. I definitely
thing that you can get anywhere you want with hard work and dedication. However
I do see that everyone that manages to cross over and have a stable job, they
have a decent life compared to how they had it here and I think that that’s
important to acknowledge and take into consideration.
Pedro Jr: I think it depends on the person and their
situation both here and in other countries. Many people come here and ruin
their lives, and other come here and have a life that’s so good that they never
even thought they would ever be able to have.
Esperanza: Uh, maybe? I think it depends on the person and
what you’re referring to. Like, life isn’t easier here, if anything it’s harder
for us migrants. But the benefits of living here are definitely better and the
quality of life is too.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) I think more so, for my mom yes.
I think that from the little experience that I’ve had when I’ve gone out of the
US, the grass is definitely greener here. Like, I wouldn’t say that we are even
that well off, but we really enjoy the life we have here and how lucky we are. I
think that when people visit like, Sri Lanka for example when we went, it’s
very easy to go to the tourist side of it and say “Wow it’s beautiful here” but
if you go deeper into it and acclimate yourself with the locals, you know the
neighborhoods filled with poverty, then its very eye opening and it really
makes you appreciate the life we are given here. Like, the kids over there are
so happy to have a pair of vans, or just to be able to say they have clothing
from America. It really shows you that they are super appreciative of the stuff
that we take for granted here. (Darren) Yeah, I would say that in my experience
the grass is greener her. Like, the quality of life here is way way better.
Like for example, wanting a hamburger in Sri Lanka, that’s a luxury over there.
We’re talking the equivalent of in n out here was like $14. Like, what would be
one portion of meat here for us, is four to them. So it just, again, shows you
that the quality of life here is better than over there.
Jose: I don’t agree with that phrase. Because you could say
that the grass is greener on the other side because you’re looking in from the
outside and you don’t really know what the reality of the situation is actually
like. You dint know if there’s more problems than there is here. However, like
I said there’s more job opportunities and better education, and just an overall
better life quality. So I would agree that life is better over there, but I
don’t agree with the phrase.
Alfredo: I think, again, yes and no. Like yes because the
quality of life is better over there, but no because the routine of life, in
order to obtain the quality they’re looking for isn’t easy. It’s all matter of
perspective and what you’re ultimate goal is.
Yestelin: Sometimes. I think yes because of the
opportunities. But you also face other obstacles. Like a lot of discrimination.
Also, I feel like we don’t get as much as appreciation for our contribution to
this country as everybody else. Like everyone has this narrative of Mexicans
coming to America just to steal jobs, and like, we’re not. We’re here doing the
jobs people don’t want to do and working twice as hard to get to the same
opportunities everybody else has. My whole family now, thanks to God, has a
citizenship status and that’s because we have fought to be able to earn our
place here. So I think it’s not always greener here. I think the concept of it
is.
Interviewer: What’s one thing you appreciate about America
that is difficult to obtain in countries with higher poverty rates?
Andy: I would have answered these questions differently four
years ago, than how I am right now. *pauses and looks down at his feet* it’s
kind of hard to uh *takes another pause and looks to the side*, I appreciate that we are supposedly a land of
freedom. Supposedly. And that’s how it’s supposed to work, even for people who
might not be here “legally”. There are lots of opportunities if you go to the
right place. Unfortunately right now, its if you get lucky while crossing.
Right now the system is totally against them. I want to say that it’s been a
land of welcoming. But it hasn’t been in so long, and I’m ashamed of it. Bu
there are opportunities. There are jobs about there, especially jobs that
white, European descending people don’t want to do. It’s been proven for
decades, or centuries, that they’re just not willing to work as hard as
immigrants are willing to work. We’ve taken advantage of them all the time in
this country. I don’t know, it’s hard to answer that question. I’ve enjoyed
white privilege, being a man and being white in this country for so long, uh,
well forever. That opportunities have always been open to me, and I would like
to see them be open for everyone.
Pedro: honestly, I don’t think that there’s anything here
that I can’t have in Mexico. I appreciate being able to have a set and stable
life and job, but I can have that in Mexico too.
David and Nikki: (David) I like that you can be who you want
to be here. Like it’s not like a country where women have to wear fabric all
over their bodies and faces. I like that you can be who you want to be and not
have to apologize for it. We have so many cultures here and it’s so diverse here.
Like people aren’t moving to Mexico for a better life. You go to china and you
don’t see a bunch of white people walking around. It definitely is getting
harder with elections and different things like that, and people having
different believes, but overall, we are a well-rounded country. (Nikki) yeah, I
think we really take for granted our education and health care system. I think
that they are very accessible to people here, and that’s not absolutely true in
other countries.
Adela: I think that its being able to have opportunities
regardless of your disadvantages and having people that believe in you even if there’s
a language barrier. *chokes up and starts crying* Like I said, when I got
promoted at IGT, I never thought I would get as far as I could because I
couldn’t speak English. But he trained me, and he was patient and he always
told me he believed in me. And I think that there are a lot of those kinds of
people here. I know not everybody is like that. Yet, even with my current job.
I know my English still isn’t perfect, but they trust me in their homes, and I
don’t think people in Mexico are like that because you can’t just trust anybody
like that over there especially now.
Lizbeth and Evelyn: (Evelyn) I appreciate, from what I’ve
seen on the media, is being able to be in a school with my own desk and having well-structured
classrooms. Seeing school in other countries in bad conditions, it makes me
sad. (Lizbeth) I don’t think I have an answer. Because we have these basic
things but not in great conditions. I mean, I guess the support that the
government gives to people that are working towards those programs.
Jorge: I feel, that unfortunately, in Mexico we have had
really corrupt politicians and presidents. And because of that same corruption
and organized crime, they wouldn’t let Mexico go above and beyond of its
potential. All the opportunities that the country had in order to help the people;
well they would steal money from everyone. You can’t try to push for the best
in a country that being run by people that steal from the majority that is
living paycheck to paycheck. So here, the government upholds the laws and
punishes people that do wrong. There’s also freedom of expression here, but
most of all, I really like that the laws have to be respected here.
Ruby: Uhm the quality of life *chuckles* I’m so
sorry, I feel like I’m being repetitive. But here, there’s more people that
don’t have the money to have a great comfortable life than those that do. So
like, being able to have hot water every day, having a stable job, not having
to manage your life and finances around because your kids want to pursue a higher
education past middle school.
Pedro Jr: I think our health care system to an extent. Like
it’s not the best, but they help everyone and then eventually figure out a form
of payment most of the time. Where as in Mexico, for example, if you can’t
afford an admittance fee, they won’t help you at all.
Esperanza: Being able to have access to multiple ways to
provide for your family.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) I’d say the freedom of
occupation. Like for my kids when they grow up, they have the option of being
able to be what they would like to be and do what they would like to do. Like
when I went to visit Sri Lanka, it wasn’t even the same as Mexico, Mexico
seemed like American compared to Sri Lanka, so it was an eye opener of how
lucky we are here. (Darren) I would say, freedom of opportunity. There’s more
opportunity here than in Sri Lanka, and any other country where people are
migrating from. There’s not a whole lot stopping you here from achieving what
you want besides yourself.
Jose: Again, the quality of life. Being able to have a
stable job, better education. I mean, just being able to live in a first world
country.
Alfredo: I honestly don’t think there’s anything in America
that we cant have here in Mexico with hard work. But maybe a better quality of
work opportunities and education.
Yestelin: I would say the opportunities. Especially for
school. I mean, I got a scholarship here and it’s been super helpful for me. I
think that I wouldn’t be able to have the opportunities in Mexico that I have
here.
Interviewer: As a first generational child, we often carry
the weight of the struggles our parents dealt with. Is there something in
particular about their struggle that you find yourself holding on to in order
to motivate yourself?
Pedro Jr: I think it’s definitely shown me that I always
need to do 110% at work and really focus on school. My parents have always been
big on the importance of school and how, even though school isn’t for
everybody, a degree puts you ahead of the game. I know that because of them I
work hard at work and at school and really apply myself to whatever I’m
involved in. I just, my parents have always been extremely hard workers. To
this day even. My parents both work at least 12 hours a day, like I think back
to me playing sports in high school, and it was so rare when they went to my
games or even school events, that when they did show up I was always shocked to
see them there. So I think it’s definitely given me the will to work hard in
everything I do, but also given me the will to eventually work smarter and not
harder.
Lizbeth & Evelyn: (Lizbeth) I think, that being a first
generational kid makes you grow up and mature quicker than most kids. Like you
have to learn the language quicker so that you can help your parents with like
translating papers for example. And if you don’t know how to translate
something your parents get frustrated because they think that you aren’t
learning anything at school. So it’s very overwhelming to basically be learning
and taking in two cultures and languages at the same time at such a young age.
(Evelyn) I feel like we have to be more independent from the beginning. Most of
our parents don’t have a good education so if we have trouble with homework, we
can’t necessarily go to them for help. We have to figure it out ourselves.
Also, with that being the case, it kind of gives us more motivation to get
somewhere in life. Like my parents emphasize the importance of education and
how we need to take care of our education so we can get far in life and not
have to work as hard as they did their whole lives you know.
Ludivina and Luis: (Ludivina) Uhm, growing up I noticed that
if I wanted to have a family of my own one day, I had to have boxes A, B, and C
checked before I even got to that point. Like learn how to set a financial
foundation for myself, be able to give my kids a stable life, and I think living
the way we did helped me make sure that my kids will always have a good life. It’s
so weird to see my kids and know that they wont ever experience life a fraction
of the way I did. But it’s a good weird. (Luis) yeah, I agree. Uhm, growing up
we moved around a lot because rent would go up and we couldn’t afford it. I
think we moved a total of 7 or 8 times. So, we have two kids know, I just want
them to have a stable living situation. Also, my dad would be gone 4-5 months
at a time for work, growing up I didn’t understand it. But all I know is that I
don’t want to miss that much time with my kids. I want to see them grow up.
Herlinda: I think, uhm, there’s so much I want to say.
Growing up was hard, especially as the oldest. I had to dominate two languages
and I think that’s the case for most of us. I spent the majority of my
childhood translating documents for my parents and uncles. So I was very
independent from a young age. So much so, that to this day I’m the first one
they call when they need help with a word or something. I uh, I got my degree
but I, unfortunately, wasn’t able to find any work in my area, so I’m a manager
at a store right now. And that thought is always in the back of my mind. I feel
like, by not being able to get the job I went to school for, I really let them
down and all their hard work and sacrifices were in vain. Like, both of my dad’s
parents passed away and he wasn’t able to go see them. When my mom’s dad passed
away, she wasn’t able to go see him. They came here at 17 and 18. So like, I
don’t know, its like walking around with this constant weight of, “is what I’m
doing good enough to be able to repay everything you’ve done and gave up for me
and my siblings?”
Ava: Well, growing up as a first generational child, I feel
like I raised myself a lot for the most part. My parents didn’t necessarily
understand the cultural settings here in America. And, well I’m not going to lie, I come from a
very racist background, and I’m not like that at all. I was able to teach
myself right from wrong. I’ve always felt a sense of independency. So I
wouldn’t say that I see it as motivational for me. If anything it’s on the
opposite spectrum. I definitely find myself holding back on a lot of things for
my mom. I always look back on the sacrifices my mom did for her and for our
family, and well she doesn’t have anybody here. My dad passed away and we don’t
have any family here, it’s just my mom, my sister and me. So like, I wanted to
go to college in California so badly. And I’ve been wanting to move out for the
longest time. But I can’t do that to my mom, I can’t leave her alone. She’s all
I got, and my sister and I are all she has here. I don’t want to leave her
alone.
Lauren and Darren: (Lauren) I would say more so that, I
think I definitely show her that I value the life she has given me. That it was
worth it for her to leave her family in order for her to give me the life she’s
given me. I think a lot about my mom and her struggles, and honestly, I feel
like the struggles I’ve gone through, are very pale in comparison to the ones
my mom has gone through. (Darren) yeah I would say, that personally, I do
reflect on that from time to time. I think it is one of those things where I
don’t want their effort to be in vain. However, I also think of it as like,
creating a good example for my children. I think it was good to witness the
struggle my parents went through to get to where they are. I think that’s an
important lesson to give my kids, to teach them that things in life don’t come
to you easily, that you have to work for them even if you are living, in
comparison, some what of a comfortable life. It still requires work to maintain
that. I just want to ensure that what my parents went through is never in vain.
*as the lights start to dim, all the interviewees look at
each other in silence then slightly, at different times, glance over to the
lifeless American flag sitting to the right of the stage. They look up at the
crowd and quietly, and unanimously say “a country by immigrants for immigrants,
right?” they then get up slowly and walk off stage, and the soft spotlight
lands on the interviewer who is now facing the crowd*
Interviewer: *looks at the audience for a slight second
then takes a deep breath* Uhm, well, that was an emotional ride for me in
all honesty *clears throat and looks down at her shoes for a second* When
I first planned this, I did it with the intention of kind of making everybody
see that maybe this country isn’t what its made out to be. Obviously, that part
is true. However, after these interviews, and all of the self-reflecting that
came with hearing the stories of these people, I found myself thinking that uhm,
these people come here for a better life, not because they just want the
American life. We don’t talk about that enough. We also don’t talk enough about
the first-generation kids that have to witness the struggles their parents go
through to give them the life they have. Being a first-generation child, and
talking to others, it’s funny to realize that our parents and us, we were
guiding each other this entire time. Like, yeah, they’re our parents, but we
relied on each other so much in order to live here. The parents paid the bills
and provided for us, and the children translated everything and explained the
process of that. No wonder we all have this lack for the need to ask for help. *chuckles
a little* But here we are at the end. I’m glad you were all able to look
into the lives of these people with me. Personally, this has been an eye opener
for me, and I hope it had some sort of value to you guys. Moral of the story to
me, next time I feel like complaining about my nails chipping because I was typing too
much, maybe I should think back to how my dad was plowing fields by hand his
life, and how my mom would purposely start a tear in her shoes so she could get
new ones. How now, as adults and during their whole life in America, they
worked from 6 am to 11 pm to give me the life I’m complaining about. *eyes
get watery and voice gets shaky* God I’m a shitty kid huh *quietly
chuckles* I’m ugly crying now ugh, but I love my parents, I hope I can grow
up to be a fraction of the people they are one day. *wipes away tears,
stares at the lonely flag on the right side of the stage. Takes a deep breath
and walks away. The lights slowly turn off and a single light blue spotlight
remains on the flag. End of play*
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