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Immigration Experience

In: Historical Events

Submitted By Brandikay
Words 826
Pages 4
Brandi Gaines
HIS 125- Week 3
Immigration Experience

Just as many Eastern Europeans in the 19th century, I was looking for a better way of life for myself and my family. Growing up as a child I was forced to learn the ways of life to prepare myself for the life I was living as an adult. I worked on a farm making very little money to raise myself and my family. It was heartbreaking for me to know I was simply raising my child in such a dreaded world and raising them to only experience my life as they grew older. I wanted so bad to provide a better life for my children. I was not provided an education so when I did seek immigration I knew it would be a challenge. As I did not know how to speak the language nor did I know anything about the way of life of anyone other than my own. When I immigrated, I went to Chicago; at first my living conditions remained very tough. Living in a small dirty environment, but I mad do with what I could. I took a log paying job that was not the most ideal safe position. I took a dangerous position in a steel mill. Here it was exhausting, long, hot, and dangerous hours I put in every day. At the start of every day I would have to remind myself why I made the decision to work here for such little pay. I was reminded how I was benifiting my family and myself. This risk was a big one to take but well worth it in the end. Eventually things began to look up for my family. We were able to live a happier, more free, more fair lifestyle. In the end that is all I wanted to my family. I continued to work just as hard and just a much as I did while I was in Poland, however I was finally being paid more for my work. After I seen how World War II destroyed my home country I was glad to see how my decision of leaving was a good one, and at that point I never looked back. Staying in Poland could have resulted in me losing my life or the life of a family member. After some time In America I was able to establish a better life for myself and my family. Those of us that could not afford first or second class passage made our journey to America through Ellis Island, New York. As long as we cleared a check point with being bombarded with questions and examinations we were able to pass. My family was lucky because many were considered criminals or carriers of disease and were quickly sent back to Poland. For that I am thankful for. Chicago attracted many immigrants such as myself. Those seeking jobs and new opportunities. It was not only appealing to immigrants from Poland, but Asia, Latin America, and others. Chicago quickly became the center of multiculturalism and enriched the United States with a more diverse population. Roman Catholicism and Judaism were the predominate faiths in Chicago brought by the immigrants. Although our lifestyle was changing for the better we did continue to face hard times due to the religious racism. American attitudes toward Jews were very prejudice. They even at one time tried to levy a special tax on Jews in hopes it would make us want to leave the state. Leaving Poland was a huge risk for me and my family. As I said before seeing my children grow up just to know they would have to experience the same lifestyle I was experiencing devastated me. Leaving Poland was a risk I was willing to take to better the lives of my children. To risk them not being able to make it through Ellis Island was a fear, as I was unsure they could pass the health examinations. However once my entire family was in Chicago it was a relief to know we made it. I provided a new better life for my children. They were given opportunities in America they would have never experienced in Poland. Learning to speak the language, having more of an education, not going hungry, having an opportunity to better themselves in many ways. That was my biggest dream and immigrating to America provided them that opportunity. I never look back with and regrets on making a big move to bring my family to America. It was a risk, and a dangerous one at that. I knew how hard it would be in the move and in the beginning, but that risk is one I am glad I took.

Ciotta, J. (). Polish Immigration to America from the 1800s to 1980s. Retrieved from https://suite.io/jennifer-ciotta/3mx921t

Adler, R. (June 6, 2011). Anti-Semitism Immigration in America. Retrieved from http://immigrationinamerica.org/350-anti-semitism.html?newsid=350

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