Our Stories, Our World

Welcome to the A Block English Blog!

The work on the following pages documents the experiences of our students as they explored their respective communities through the gathering of the living stories of the people around them.

Go the Blog Archive on the right and click on the arrow to open the menu. Click on a student's name to see their blog page.

*Note to students*
See the sample oral history below for a sense of how your work should look.

Oral History of Ann Zambrana

Ann Zambrana is a 40 year-old mother of two. She is of Puerto Rican descent - born and raised in New York City. She has a 6 year-old boy and a 4 year-old girl. We sat together on a bright, yet lazy Sunday afternoon to discuss parenthood and, more specifically, motherhood. Throughout the interview, the children could be heard playing in the background.

When I was a kid being a mother was more of an idea, a fantasy. Now as a mother, I realize it’s a lot of hard work. It’s a lot of dedication - not like the fantasy I had as a child.

Motherhood has a lot of meanings to me. I think the most important one is to shape the minds and the souls of these two individuals I brought into this world so that they can respect one another, be honest with one another, and live harmoniously with not just the people on the planet but the planet itself.

I think anyone who deals with children in one form or another is considered like a parent – someone who’s responsible to teach them right from wrong and to help them, guide their way. But motherhood is different because those children are yours. They’re not somebody else’s child. There’s a certain sense of moral responsibility when they’re yours more than when they’re somebody else’s. You know.
The same thing with a father - someone who guides them, shows them, protects them and is there for them. You know, anyone can just make a baby. It’s another [thing] to be there, and guide them. Be responsible for them; Responsible to them.

I mean, you’ve got certain men who will hit their child to put them in place, you have men who will put the fear of God into the child to keep them in place. And then you’ve got those who will sit down and speak to them as an individual and help them understand what their place is, not just put ‘em there, but let them know why it is that they’re there and where it is that they’re going from there.

There are very many different approaches. (Laughs) [Motherhood] has both positive and negative effects on my life. I mean, the positive effect is that they’re my children, they’re my soul. Right now, they’re the center of my life; whereas before, I was the center of my life and things that I wanted to do came first. Now, they come last. I would have to honestly say that I’ve lost some of myself in becoming a mother and a parent.

[But], it is absolutely worth it! (A huge smile comes across her face and tears well up in her eyes as she says these last words.) Everyday, when I look into my kids’ faces and I see those eyes of wonder, it replenishes my soul; it breathes new life into me. And to hear them say, ‘Mommy, I love you’ and to see them hug and kiss each other. It is… it is absolutely worth it!

Drafting Checklist, Portfolio Checklist & Oral History Rubric

Follow the steps in the Drafting Checklist under the style you have chosen to report your oral history. Be sure to email your draft and interview transcription to me (hector.zambrana@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

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Also, remember that all of your portfolio pieces are due for your project on Monday, April 20th. Use the Project Portfolio Checklist below to make sure you have everything.

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Use the updated checklist handed out in class to keep track of your work. Then, use the rubric below to make sure you get a good grade.

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Diego Bautista

Oral History of Michaelangelo Bautista

Michaelangelo Bautista was born on May 5,1992. He lives in Spanish Harlem with the people he was raised with. A regular teenage boy that likes funny stuff, comedy movies and action films, but, also like allot of video games, like the rest of his family. A boy that doesn’t like boring movies, reptiles and homework, basically he is just a Hispanic Dominican teenager that loves to eat.
To be a teenager… you know you get all this work on you, you know… responsibilities. Um your parents always are screaming at you, being a teenager is jus fucking great! Some people don’t know how it’s like to be a teenager but it matters how much effort you put in our work because if you try hard you’ll excel. That’s the only problem, most of us don’t try hard, and some of us end up failing… so it’s a matter of getting dedicated to your work well, which is pretty hard.

A part of life is to be a teen, I am... breathing but all jokes set aside I think im an average teenager because most teenagers have to deal with school and parents and school so… yea I guess I have a pretty normal teenage life because there’s some parents that treat their kids with no love. Others have to deal with the outside world of drug abuse and discrimination, many other teenagers just want to be normal like me and some teens like me want to be extraordinary like I already am (laughing).

I got into a fight when I was in junior high school, who hasn’t, but for some reason I don’t remember why I got into that fight. Also I don’t really think much for the reason why im here now, I just know I got here because life goes on and sometimes you just need to look forward as a young adult.

In my life I never liked being influenced by the people that live around, and surround me… I kind of hate being influenced by other people; I kind of want to be myself you know, because I don’t know if anyone ever heard the expression “taking the road less traveled by”. I want to do the right thing and also be myself. Um… and not care about other peoples opinions.

One thing is that girls are never supposed to change your personality for example, me, girls really like my originality, because me as a teenager im looking for a girl that really likes me for who i am. Mainly because me...me as a teen I don’t have to change for nobody (laughs). On my free time i don’t even worry about girls i listen to my mother scream at me 24/7 and my dad talking about about his life story and how much of a screw up i am but i pay no mind to that... Really to get away from the world, i listen to music, play mindless video games for hours and hours, and also watch random videos on youtube like everyone else.

The sports around here in this generation ahhhh, not really my thing, don’t get me wrong i like sports like any other teenager, its just that im not a huge fan of it all. Just because i suck at most sports, HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!!... Im really into art like most people, but mainly because its different ways and forms. Art to me isn’t just drawing, its music, dance, writing and so many other ways. It’s really anyway you can express yourself.

I also love singing; I sing in the freaking bathtub, i sing while going to school, in class, I have like my own personal MP3 inside my head. At church i tap my feet to the beat, its like i can go on forever about music and how artistic it is... but to keep it real some things that really affect a teenagers life is the music, because i love the music, i actually sing in a chorus in my school. We were actually lucky enough to be one of the participating schools in Bernstein’s mass project. Umm... wave also done many, many hard pieces of music.

My chorus teacher, and many teachers in my school inspired me to excel even though it doesn’t look like it but they really help little by little. My chorus teacher helped me with my low self-esteem, Im actually currently now in a band, still in the making as the lead singer. The best part of it is that im having fun doing it as well... Its fun to be me.

Come home, get screamed at everyday, people hate you just because you’re alive. Well... I frikken love those people, their my idols because i don’t know were i would be without them.
One thing i do know is... I never want to change... and i never will...

Melody Reyes

Oral History of Melida Urena

I am interviewing Melida Urena my grandmother, mother of 9 and practicing catholic. She is perfect for my interview on "What it means to be American".

When I look at America today and America then what comes to mind is that, well, it comes to mind that it used to be that everything was less, everything cost less money and it was ore peaceful and more nicer. There was less crime. When I look at American cuisine I think that there's a lot of differences between the Spanish foods I eat. We Spanish make it one way and, like sancocho, we make it the way we make it. It's like there's a lot of differences than around here and a lot of things are different. Let me see well spaghetti. We cook it like with season and with onions, green peppers, garlic, and oregano. We cook it like its not so wet. The way American way is that you boil the spaghetti and put sauce, spaghetti sauce that's different. My ethinicty is Spanish I am very proud of it, we have our way of doing things. It's more sentimental, you know, more like when we-I don't know; when we say something in Spanish a lot of things have more feeling. When you speak Spanish you use more love. The way we do things is a lot more closer. We treat each other more better with more love more unity.

I was never born in America. I was born in Santiago the second biggest city in Dominican Republic. I came here when I was 15 years old. In my country it used to be more innocent, more united, more,you know, when people are more like the less money they have the more love they have for each other. I am very proud of my neighborhood because, you, I was innocent and when your country is poor you have a lot of love. When I was little and in Dominican Republic I didn't know what America was. I just came here because my father brought me. Everybody liked to come here but I was happy with my mother and all my brothers and sisters. I came in 1957 because he wanted us to come, because he liked to stay here. We came here because my father was here and we wanted to see my father.

When I came to America I found that it was a beautiful country and there's a lot of work for everybody. You can work and make a lot of money and this country is wonderful. You help people. When I came to this country I thought it was very nice it was different. When I came to this country, I didn't know the snow was slippery. I was walking and the snow had turned to ice, you know. I never knew what it was so I was just walking and I fell really hard. They told me I was never gonna leave this country and I guess it's true I stayed here (giggles) it was beautiful anyway. When I left my country we left my grandparents behind because they couldn't come with us. My grandfather came later for a little while, I love my grandfather he was one of the best men I ever knew in my life and my grandmother was real nice too. In my spare time in my country we went to the zoo in the city and in the country you could go to the river and play around and it's innocent. People and you play with anything and you're happy cause I was innocent as a child. So here in America I used to go to the movies and things like that.

I worked in sowing since I was 16 years old; I worked in a factory cutting the little thread, you know, the material you sew with. I was doing that when they told me I was too young and to come back when I was 18. So from over there I went to the other factory and started to sew and I made a lot of money.

I miss my home very much, where I used to live before I came to this country. I used to have about 5 or 6 different kinds of mango trees around my house. Beautiful delicious mangos little mangos, big mangos, with little dots, oh I love them. Also matte avocado trees were around my house and my father had a lot of fruit that I never saw before like sweet lemons and guanabana and cacao trees. That's what I miss most about where I used to live. It was very beautiful with fruit all around. My life here compared to my life in Dominican Republic. It's different because when I was a child anything can real nice there. Here's nice too; but, you grow up and you have a lot of problems. It's different, it's more, but I love this country anyway.

If I could change America I would make it so there would be less crime and the people would be more united and love each other very much. They would trust each other so that you could help anybody without problems. Also people would be able to come here and leave like it used to be and you love everybody even if they didn't have papers. That people can stay here if they are good people and you know this country is nice and beautiful. I would really have changed the way people trust each other so that you don't have to be afraid to walk in the street. Also there wouldn't be anybody that did bad things like steal, beat up people, and kill people. That's horrible. When I say that I feel more American, to me I guess I am because I live most of my life here (giggles). I came here when I was 15 years old now I am 60-something. I have all my family here all my brothers and sisters-except one that is in my country-and all my nieces and nephews too. All my family is here, so, I love this country very much. I even have one of my children in the Air Force-my youngest one. I love this country very much (giggles).

If I had a choice on whether I would like to stay in America or go back to Dominican Republic, I wouldn't go back. I can't go back to my country because I have all my family here. I would feel very lonely. There's all my brothers and sisters here except one sister that is in my country. My mother's here and my father is-even if he's dead-and I have all my life here already. I love my country but I would stay here. What it means to me to be American, well, I mean just because I am an American citizen I belong...

Indiani Santana

Oral History of Lidia Santana

by Indiani Santana

Lidia Santana is a 75 year old mother of ten chidren She is dominican. She was born in The Dominican Republic she came to america when she was 55. She was lives in the Bronx. We sat together in her room. It was a Monday and she was not busy so I interviewed her with the following questions.

In the time in Dominican Republic the Dominicans and the Haitians had Problems because Haiti wanted the Dominican Republic to be a part of them. The domnican people didn't like he Haitians because they went to Dominican Republic and killed the children and abused the women.

Before the Haitians couldn't go in the Dominican bus because they didn't want the Haitians next to them because they were bad. When The Haitians went to Dominican Republic they were kicked out because the Haitians were bad in the Dominican Republic. For me the Racism still exists because of how People look at you different because of the way people look or by your color.

When I came to America, the Dominicans and the Haitians were having a lot of problems because the Dominicans didn't have a president so that the president could take The Haitians out of the Dominican Republic. My life changed when I came to america because in The u.s you could have a better life and a lot of opportunity.

My children in The Dominican Republic were not so bad because my husband helped me a lot He was working a lot so that we could eat. The Dominican Republic and the haitians had to be separated because they didn't like each other, The President Trujillo killed all the haitians because they were killing a lot of Dominican people and their children.

When the Haitians and the Dominican people were fighting, I was defending the Dominican people because I am Dominican. When I was born, racism existed because i was living in the camp, so when i went to the capital the people were looking at me with a nasty look. I think my life was Better when I came to america because I brought all my kids and my husband.

Jacqueline Algarin

Oral History of Iris Algarin

''I believe it [identity] is a general distinction. Basically , it's what makes you who you are''.

Iris Algarin is a 18-year old of Puerto Rican descent born and raised in New York City. On a rainy , gloomy Monday, she is on the computer typing up her resume project and I ask her a moment of her time to be interviewed about identity. I wanted to know more about her identity and what she thinks about it.

She started to log out of the computer and sit on the bed and starts to talk. '' Well... the world has a balance to it [the world] , both the ugly and the good. I believe the two need to exist - - - sometimes through the ugliest times there's a lesson we need to find a value while going through it like a maze at most situations and we can't a completed world without their being ugly to find good or good to get rid of the ugly...At diffucult times is where we most realize the closer we are to family and others, it may bring out the little good we may have in this world''.

''The media serves as a big influence of most teen population , but not enough to convince us that the media is to blame for all teens' identity,but for some who are affected by what they see in the media. It's for them to decide if they want to try it for themselves.'' (Pauses).

''I believe it's all in past media now, most people seem to get along with each other no matter what their identity is, but as for the other few who depend on their outer identites which lead to seperations and in certain cliques they find simply more comfortable to hang with what they believe with people who have similar tastes rather than seeking for others.'' I agree with her on that last time I saw cliques in films was in ''Mean Girls'' , but the movie wasn't realistic because the cliques in the film weren't allowed to make their own choices on who they want hang out with.

(She starts to lay down on her bed , she complains that her neck hurts and her fingers are numb from typing her resume).''Even through there a lot of identites I can look up to , I go by mine which is unique because I live for myself and no one can live for me. I could look a certain way and act like the most random, nice, shy ,artsy col dork I am! (Smiles).'' What makes up your personality?'' I ask her.

''That makes up my personality most of it is my likings , for example music, favorite books, T.V., family & friends, is where most of me is based on.''

(Laughs) ''I'm glad you asked'' she starts. '' I have a few random friends which is interesting because some of them don't even share of the same interests I have! But I try to put that aside of me. For those who do influence me to a point where our personalities are alike goes for our preferences in stuff, I'll say yes. I've always been influences often which have a good impact on me to try new things such as my new sort of label which is 'emo' (Giggles), but I chose myself from being too overly influenced by anything or anyone over me. Another influence I have is Chibi, the lead singer of the Birthday Massacre, because i' m in love with her music and how the lyrics have a deep meaning behind them.''

'' I used to be very shy and didn't speak at all. I used to cry a lot especially when my parents aren't with me at all time, but at 6th grade, I became 'emo' because I felt distant to others. I had to be original on my own. I began listening to rock music and see horror movies. That changed because as well. I met new friends who shared the same beliefs as me. And now I've grow to be a little more independent . I believe it [identity]is a general distinction . Basically, it's what makes you who you are''. I learned from this interview that identity formation is all about self- identity knowledge on understanding themselves.

Christie Benitez

Oral History of Epifania Gomez

Well when I was younger there was no immigration found where I was at.

Children shouldn't work until they finish their studies and education.Until they finish High School.

I liked doing my homework in my house because it helped me develop.I liked to do stuff around the house,I felt happy because I can develop for I can take care of my family,my home.

For me it wasn't hard to take care of my brothers and sisters because my mother did the work and we played.And we helped my mother and like that we started learning and we had time to play and study,etc.

No,I wasn't obligated because my mother was the one who did the chores in the house,it wasn't an obligation.We helped her.We learned,one helped mom,when we got home from school that's when we would help her.

Yes,I knew about the United States.I thought this state was like a paradise,and on the streets there weren't any holes and in the sidewalks there weren't any garbage,and that there was richness and abundance.

An adult would do it.Every weekend,some things were bought everyday,and some other things were bought every weekend.

No,I didn't have a lot of liberty or freedom.The only freedom I had was going to school and coming back.

Well,I felt more sad than happy.I felt happy because but at the same time I felt sad because all my family members were over there and I came to visit some other family members.

I went to church with my mother,we went to the theaters with my brothers and sisters,and concerts of merengue that they gave in the Dominican Republic.

I was a very goog girl.Real good.I was a good girl for my mother could be happy of me.

I was like a princess in my country.Of course I loved it.

Yes,Of course my life would be different.

Yes i don't know if it's a responsibility.Every person should be responsible of one self.They are already adults,so now my responsibility is my husband and my daughters.

No,there were no wars going on in my country.

After I got married.At 30 years old.

Yes, I had a daughter before coming to America. Yes, it was my responsibility,she was my daughter.

Kenya Browne

Qwasim Campbel is 19 years old, he attended Cobleskill College. Now he works at the U.S Census Bureau.

It is Wednesday afternoon I was making cheeseburgers for my cousin Qwasim and me. As I served Qwasim his meal he asked me, “Hey, what ever happened to the girl you used to bring over here?” As I grabbed a seat I responded, “Who, Kendra?” “Yea Kendra with the two-inch pony tails with the mean Michael Jackson high waters .Why she doesn’t come around anymore?” asked Qwasim. for some reason Qwasim has a crush on her but always make fun of her, Yea I don’t get it either. “Ha, Ha very funny Qwasim, Very funny but I don’t talk to her anymore. She was bad company, she made our friendship go down but hey friendship doesn’t last unless you’ve chosen the right friend so I didn’t stress it.” As Qwasim finished his first bite he said, “Well that sucks because I remember the time when a friendship went down on me. A while ago I had a friend we were cool but after a while he started to change. He would put us in situations that would get us into trouble. It wasn’t worth t because that’s not who I am.” After I took a sip of my drink I responded, “Oh wow that’s not right.” “Yea, but for the most part I keep a lot of friends; it isn’t by choice I just meet a lot of people throughout my life. So it really didn’t matter to me if I lose a friend because I will still have friend’s remaining.” said Qwasim. “Oh really, that’s cool I feel the same way because I keep a lot of friends and the cool thing about it is the fact that most of my friends are males.” I responded. “Yea that’s not a problem really having a lot of friends is cool whether their all boys or girls or mixed, it doesn’t matter. You and I or anyone else can have as many friends as we can get but we don’t because there are millions of people across the world and millions we haven’t met. But it’s all based on what you’re looking for in a friend, what friendship mean to you. Let me tell you, my meaning of friendship is someone who doesn’t mind hanging out or doing favors. I expect someone to talk too, also it’s all about personality, someone who is trustworthy like an ideal friend” Qwasim said. I looked at Qwasim with a grin and said, “Exactly you’re right, I…” “Of course I’m right, Qwasim ‘The typical gangster’ is always right.” said Qwasim cutting me off. We both busted out with laughter. “Also someone loyal, well I’m a loyal friend of course…” “In High school I once paid five dollars for a friend of mind to go on a trip to the movies with our class.” Qwasim said cutting me off again. As I was done with my meal I got up and said “You like cutting me off don’t you?” “Well, because I’m gangster.” Qwasim said walking away. Well I guess I’ve learned a lot about friendship today, cool.

By: Kenya Browne

Fatima Sosa

Oral History of Rufino Calleja

An immigration topic. Interview to Rufino Calleja personal experience and opinions about immigration. A 53-year-old man that immigrate also subjection of what the government should do to help immigration.

“My name is Rufino Calleja I was born in Izucar de Matamoros Puebla Mexico I was born on July 19 of 1955.”

My life before moving to the United States it was normal just working for the family. The decision I made was because my family and me had a lot of needs. The place I arrive I did like it because you live more comfortable and1 there job. Thanks to god I had never had a need of one after I got the United States. It was hard adapting to the language yes (laughing) yes. My life before the move it was a little hard in economic and it was difficult my life style. So I think that what cause me to make that decision.

Now is funny the transportation that I use to come to the united states (smile). Walk sometimes by foot and other walking (laughing). It was sad for me to leave my country specially my family also my friend. Everything was sad. Uu… I fealt very happy when I got here and with a lot of energy. I always though that one day I had to get to the United States that was my illusion so I could work and keep on going. Yes I had a dream it was to get to the United States first in formal and the basic was to be resident and be a legal immigrant so I could work. I did accomplish my dream yes! (Tears in the face touching his face) yes to be happy.

Well my decision was for the good of my family and me in order to survive. Yes I do think that others had the same experience or even worst. They had fall but we all go throw the same every immigrant. Nothing happened to stop me no. No. Nothing just the economic was the issue. No not really I just new that this move was a big deal so my life style is better. I miss my family everything yes. I did not though about leaving twist. (Pause about 10 sec) they’re a lot of difficulties with the people on my country a lot of problems. Well in my personal opinion I think is good that the government is interested in the immigrant people. Because well the big dream of any immigrant is to have money, be healthy, and be happy. Also to be able to work with out bean afraid to be deported.

I'm not thinking of going to my country maybe later on. But if I do I will be to visit the family as a trip maybe yea. I think that yea is that some times there person like me that where not able to get a good education. Cause of the same reason that economic is not good so many people find them self really frustrated so they more around. Because we not having a good education so they ignore us. When we talk I think we just waist our time cause they don’t do changes and doe they don’t now is affecting us. Also the government doesn’t have enough money and jobs to help us out. There not enough for all of us and I think that people who are able to communicate with the government well is good for them but I did not have communication so that why I had to move to be able to over come the economic issues. (Crying face with tears) I was really happy and also not afraid of getting deported cause I became a legal immigrant. That am able to work without being afraid but I still got a dream that I need to be accomplish and that to be able to legalizes my family. Is grad that you able to interview me because I think that people should be able to now that people immigrate because they want a better life. I also think that the goverment should come up of some ways to help the immigrants.

Adam Layedra

The Identity Question: An Oral History of Elizabeth Summers.

Elizabeth Summers is a senior citizen who came to the United States in the 1960’s from Jamaica. She has lived in 2 other states in America and she currently lives in Pembroke Pines Florida.

“Hard enough to believe, even as a mixed person, I’ve never experienced an identity crisis.”

I was born in Kingston Jamaica. I was raised with my parents, with two older sisters and an older brother. You can say I had a very happy childhood. When I was growing up in Jamaica, I lived near a farm type of area where chickens, ducks, dogs, and cats ran around in my backyard. So every day we would feed the chickens and ducks, give them fresh water and fed them. It was also close to the Caribbean Sea, where you can throw big chunks of seashells and clumps of dirt. I followed an order every day. For instance, every Sunday our family would walk to my grandfather’s house and eat ice cream after our visit. We had to eat the whole ice cream bar as soon as we got it, because we only had iceboxes back then. An icebox is created by using a large block of ice and putting it into your refrigerator to keep things as cold as possible.Every few days you would have to get a new block of ice.

When I got older I never really changed my identity or my view on things because I am who I am. I left Jamaica when I was 15. In Jamaica we had to study 13 subjects, but when I came to the United States I was shocked by how the American classes required only 4 or 5 courses in a semester. Also, in Jamaica we had to lug lots of textbooks and notebooks to school, so when I came to America I was able to easily manage my work and play. I enjoyed having fun, so I enjoyed the American studies quite a bit, because it gave me more time to enjoy activities.

When you become older you realize how important school is. I succeeded more here in America, too, in that there was not a lot of competition in school. When I came to the United States school work did not ever get in the way of my achieving anything, even though we had more distractions here in America, like the television. But we never grew up with the new stuff in the world like cell phones with texting, e-mails, etc.

When I lived in Jamaica, school was the priority during the weekdays. When we walked to school, we would always run into friends along the way, and do some socializing then. On the weekends we hung around with our friends. A lot of us young people used to sing and do amazing dance moves. Back then people would crowd around and sing Do-wop. Those times were fun. Back then boys and girls dated in groups and we all hung out together, so we wouldn’t get into trouble. We all had such good times singing and dancing together. We all liked the same kind of music back then, also.

I recognized myself as just an individual…a person. I was born and spent the first 15 years of my life in Jamaica. So the culture of Jamaica, which included having respect for adults, translated into my life when I got to America. One of the things I can remember seeing, is what I thought was the disrespect that some of the American students had for their teachers. I could not believe what I was seeing, because in our culture, students had to respect not only their teachers, but what we called the upper classmen (students in the upper grades). So when these upper classmen walked into the classroom, you knew who they were because the badges that they wore would tell you that they were upperclassmen. As they walked into the room, you would have to stand up to greet them, and you would have to show the same type of respect to the teachers. You always had to speak to them with respect. When I came to the United States and I saw how disrespectful some of the students were to the adults. I was shocked!

I can remember I had a home economics teacher. Every girl had to take a home economics class regardless of your plans for the future. I remember this girl had spoken back to the teacher. The teacher had spoken to the young girl because the girl had not been behaving properly. The girl answered her in such a way that I was shocked. Now I didn’t realize how expressive my face was, but I guess the shock of a student talking back to the teacher shocked me so much that the teacher looked at me and she said, "I can tell this is something not something you’re used to! I can see that you have been trained differently." She was correct.

I know people have identified themselves as Black American, White American or Hispanic or Latino-American, for instance. I just see myself as a person, whether it be a Jamaican or a naturalized American. I don’t think I have an identity problem, because I think I was well-rounded and well-grounded growing up. At school I would hear people talk about the prejudices that they faced. To my knowledge I never faced any prejudice here in the United States, because I did not know how to recognize it. So as an adult when I was working for a major company, they sent me along with other people to a training. This course was designed to help people to identify prejudices in the work force. At one point they were talking about the way white people would treat black people. Before I could say anything the facilitators knew I was from the West Indies. One of them, a woman, said, “I have had a few West Indians in the class and they say they have not faced prejudice, but they must have faced prejudice in their country." They cannot understand why we don’t face prejudice. Well I’m sure there are prejudices, but when I was growing up, the prejudice was not against skin color; it was against your status in life. It was whether you were rich or poor, whether you belonged to a society, or you can be prejudice against somebody who had bad manners. You would not go to school and associate with people with poor character. The class prejudice came out from Britain, because the British are very class conscious and Jamaica was a colony of England for a long time – until 1962.

As I was growing up, whenever people mistreated me I never assumed it was because of my skin color. I considered it to be because they were just rude. When I see racism I understand it but I choose not to let it affect my identity. I don’t associate with racist people.I have had friends that were hurt by things that seem to be racist towards them.

My best friends in Jamaica were Indian and Chinese. They were considered Jamaican because Jamaica wasn’t racist. They were kind, well-mannered people. Hard enough to believe I never experienced an identity crisis and my friends were from all backgrounds and had the same view on things as I did. I have a mother of English and Jewish background, and a father who was dark-skinned. I would be considered a mulatto (mixed). I do not consider myself black. They considered me black when I first immigrated to the United States. I couldn’t understand it. It was always Black and White talk. For example, Germany had the same thing happen as America. When Hitler came in he believed he was superior because he was White. Americans had the same philosophy that if you have one drop of black blood you are black, but many white people, have genetics linking to a black family member. Identity is such a complicated topic. For example it doesn’t matter if you are called Hispanic. If you speak Spanish and have a Spanish last name, then you can be considered Hispanic if you would like to. I would recommend to a person who is dealing with an identity crisis that it doesn’t matter what you are; you are human. If you are Spanish-speaking you are usually considered Hispanic. I have heard, however, that many people from Spain feel strongly that only people who were born there should call themselves “Spanish.” I think that everyone else who was born in a Spanish-speaking country should call himself or herself whatever they can relate to or where they were born, but not German. (laughs) Unless they are German.If a person is bothered by prejudice people daily, they must try to identify with people of good character, and they will gravitate toward you, also. For example, people in gangs gravitate to other people in gangs. College-bound people will gravitate to someone who wants to make it to college.

If you identify with people who have a racist mind-set then they may stunt your growth. You need people to have the same character as you. If you’re dealing with someone who has bad character they can tear you down instead of up, and when you hate someone based on race or anything else, you give away your control to him or her. The key to anger is you must have to control your emotions, especially around these people you dislike.Identity does not only have to do with ethnicity and race.I believe that a person’s character says more about their identity than anything else. Being an American is also an identity. I am Jamaican, but I am also an American, since I am a naturalized American.

People move to America everyday because it has many opportunities and education is free. In some countries, a public education is not available. There are a few issues that Americans face, like prejudice problems, and discrimination. The bad parts are the social justice system; the high crime rate; infiltration of drugs, and easy access to weapons. I’ve traveled over seas to African countries, Spain, England, Canada and my “hometown,” Jamaica, but I have never been to any place better than the United States, and I would never exchange living here for anywhere else. America provides a safe environment, opportunities everywhere, spiritual freedom, society advancement, and jobs. It also gives the ability for you to become part of the fabric of society, and become part of the melting pot. What affects one American affects us all.

Many people believe Obama will affect America’s view of race but I don’t think he will because he had to have been elected by a vast number of Caucasians. The fact that he became president has broken down many barriers, but many barriers still exists within many ignorant societies in America. I believe the idea of being an American is forgetting about racism and believing in the advancement of all people.

Gissel Estevez

Oral History Of Fatima Sosa　

Fatima Sosa is a 14 year-old girl. She was born in Mexico and came to the U.S when she was 3 years old. We did this beautiful interview at home room time in school, the season was spring but for some reason it was snowing. We dis

cussed the topic race and racism.

　
Well for me the U.S having its first black president is an honor and also a big change, because the president has always been white and now having a black president means a lot cuz now you can see that black people, color people, Latin people, have voices in government.

The place I grew up in was in Mexico, for like 3 years.It was kind of rough cuz I had to travel a lot with my family; but then, once I got to the U.S, I started working with my family, going to school

and then kept growing up in Harlem.

When I was growing up there was some racism. You can see how other people that new English treated the people that didn’t know English kind of bad, and call them stupid and stuff and its just rough.

The people that were racist made other people feel kind of not important in the world, cuz of the way they treated me and the way they treated others. It makes us seem like we are just nobody in the world. I think racism has been such a big problem or issue in this world cuz you can go through a lot of stuff, depending on your race or religion or your culture and stuff. You have to have the guts to be able to go thought all of that.

I think till this day there is still racism because of different opinions and different actions, like basically different opinions cuz that’s what separates people from each other, and that’s what separates us all.

Well in some way I have been a races cuz like I said everybody has different opinions and I guess that makes us go against each other .

I think people are racist because let's say they don’t like the way people are because of their personal opinion, or because, I don’t now,they dont like there race or where they come from.

The word race for me means where you came from, your background, who you are.

People sometimes consider themselves superior. Well, probably because they have a better education than us or um more than other people, or a better job or better economic situation and that’s why they think they more important than others.

My personal opinion of people that judge you because of your skin color is bad cuz, um there is no reason you should judge people by the color neither for there aspects .

Some obstacles that people from different races sometime have to go though are mental abuse and um different things.

If I had to tell people this is the way to overcome racism, I will say to ignore them. basically it's not worth it

and if you really wanna become some body, just be proud of who you are, and just ignore them.

Somebody that has made a big impact I my life is my mom, cuz she had to go through a lot of stuff, well when she was in Mexico then she immigrated to the U.S ,all of a sudden she improved her education and she has a better status in this world, and she had overcome all the obstacles that have been put in her way.

If I go to my pass and change something bad that had happen to me it will be, the immigration of my parents and me because i saw a big difference wen this happened I saw a big difference and it didn't feel like home.

If I could change something about this world it will be the lows, um because some lows go against what I believe or against what other people believe.

Kyle Purnell

Oral History of Mr. Green

Mr. Green is an African American born in New York City. He has three brothers. As the oldest of the three, he was raised alone by his mom. His father wasn't around. Green was really close to his great grandmother. She helped raise him.

The office is mostly silent. The sound you hear is the computer running and the Fan going. There also some voices of other people talking out side the door of the office. Mr. green is typing on his computer and tells me he ready when I am.then he slowy removes his glasses.

"Her death really troubled me." The room then becomes silent for a few minutes. He tells me that he got his job because he wanted to be a teacher. This was actually his dream j

ob. He begins to smile. "High school was fun. My grandmother's death really effected me." He then tells me how he also looked up to his role model, his high school basketball coach.

"Have you witnessed racism?" I ask.

"I went to an all white high school. I was treated badly. I would be made fun of and not get certain things no matter how much better I was in the class because of my skin color. I also didn't get certain jobs because of my ethnicity. They would turn me down. Then a white guy would most likely get the job I tried getting, until I went back to school and got my degree and became a counselor here at Boys & Girl Harbor Upward Bound.

"Race is the type of nationality a person is like if someone is Latino or Caucasian or African American. Your race can play a big part of your life. Racism is when an ethnic group is separated because of their physical attributes. For example the color of there skin. people then begin to discriminate against that person or people. For example an African American wouldn't get a job because of his race. Race cause racism because people skin color was different. racism was a major issue through out American history. through out time the Caucasian people began kidnapping Africa from there land to work for them. this was the Begin of slavery. If coloreds tried to run from the land or did not obey the white people they would be punished by being wiped or even worse times death. the most common death for the slaves was lynching. lynching is being hung from tree for every one to see your body hanging." He then takes a long pause. "Later in the 1960's black began to fight back. this then became the civil right movement."I was a child during then. he then sat up in his chair began to lean forward." Also blacks weren't the only race to go through racism. Latinos also faced racism from the white people. they also were discriminated for coming to America to make a living. As well as blacks they were also turned down from jobs. this was because of skin completion and them not speaking fluent English.

Edwin Mejia

Oral History of Yudelquis Soto

by Edwin Mejia

Yudelquis Soto is a 43 year old dominican mother with 2 kids. It was a tired full Wednesday at 10:00pm when my Yudelquis soto came home from work and she took her food and she started eating. Then we started our interview.

I think that people in the same ethnic groups live together because that’s how communities are made. Hispanics are going to want to live in a Hispanic community so that we can maintain our culture and ways. I know a family member that used to live in a community of all Americans. He was the only Hispanic there. So they would talk bad things about him and put him to a side and they would never even look at him when he said hi to them, and because of that he would feel very isolated and lonely even though he was in a community.

I think that segregation [and discrimination] comes from when people are educated the wrong way because they make them think that they are better than other people in life. Its not like that if I educate you telling you that white, black, yellow or any color/race that influences you on how you think about that person then that isn’t right. Instead you need to think that everyone is a human. We eat and sleep the same way so like that you will treat everyone with respect just like you want to be treated with respect. Then there are people that don’t teach you how top respect others. They think that they are superior to other people and that’s where segregation comes from.

Race is one of the main causes of segregation [discrimination] because in the year 2000 my brother went to the hospital and just because he was Hispanic they didn’t want to treat him. My brother would lose his mind for a long time and not know anyone, and they didn’t want to help him. I had to go fight for him and try to get them to help him. Then a doctor came and said “These Hispanics think that they can have whatever they want”, and that was or is segregation because we were Hispanic they wanted to throw us to the side, and my brother needed a MRI so I had to talk to the supervisor and beg him to do a MRI on my brother. Then the doctor was ashamed because it happened to be that my brother had a tumor in his head. So then they didn’t know how to say sorry to us and to take back what they said about Hispanics, because they had us like a minority.

If I could stop segregation[discrimination] I would do it because all the races and every human being must have the same rights as another person. It doesn’t matter if your white, black or yellow all that matters is that matters is that your all human beings and that you can realize yourselves like that.

Sunjay Persaud

Oral History of Ms. P

Ms. P had relocated from Ohio to New York. She works as a medical assistant downtown. When she came back she decide to take more responsibility and go back to school for 2 years and be something close to a doctor which was her dream. She is now a

medical assistant. This is her main job until she could find another one that is better. Now lets see what she thinks of reasonability

Responsibility means to me being a person on top of my game like when i have thing in front of me or like thing I have to take care f I make it my busine

ss to get the job done. Step ahead of responsibility. Responsibility affects my life because I have 2 kids and

I have to be responsible for my actions in my life so they could have a good future.

When I was younger I never took responsibility and I had too much freedom in return f

or good grades I never push my self harder. When I was 17th and I graduate with a high school diploma that’s when I took responsibility. For kids who are growing up I would say follow your dream don't follow someone else dream because you ultimately have the answer to your future you could be anything you want to be if you work you hardest and follow your dream.

Well I wanted to be a doctor when I was young but I rebel against my dad and I found out the hard way after I had kids it was the right thing to do. So I went to school to get my Associate degree. 2 years of collage to get that degree. Your decision is base on the judgment of your actions base on other people.

I work with two cardiologist doctors and I see 20 patients a day. Paper work and answer phone calls. Call in the prescription. Do phlebotomy. Vital signs. Measurements. And meet demands of the doctors. By constantly learning by the doctors and trying to make my doctors happy by working 2 steps ahead of them. When I pull the chart out and read the patient history and give appropriate medication as necessary.

I work 8.5 hours a day. If I do over time I work more and more. Yeah it is worth it because at the end of two weeks I get a fat paycheck. Everything is on a schedule and with the team of responsible and respectful people. Having that job is important because there is a recession in the world and it’s very important to maintain an income

You no when a doctor is good when a doctor see you for who you are and not for the type of insurance. A bad doctor is a doctor who judges you base on you ins. and who doesn't respect the oath. Everyone should act and treat everyone with the same respect.

Alonso Miron

The World Alive

So I see you're trying to help better your grades Alonso.

Not really, this thing has been due for so long. I'm just doing it now cause my parents are up my @$$ for it.

Interesting.

Maria Diaz is a family therapist working at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. She's been working with me for the past 5 months for help improving my emotional state and help bridging a distant difference between me and my family. We're in her office where my weekly sessions take place and have music playing from her computer, the song is HTML Rulez d00d by the Devil Wears Prada. She believes the music I like can help get me to a happy place in my mind where I can get away to. Funny thing is, thats where I always found my identity in.

I like your topics Alonso, sounds like something you'd write about.

I smirk.

Racism and Violence have made up most of this country's history. We could try to stop it as much as we can but, when we face the facts we're left with two topics that have such a bond with each other that practically live off each other. I see protestors on T.V and how much they complain about Violence and Racism, I'm glad to see people out there actually realize that these topics are damaging the country. But little do they know they can't change anything. No matter how hard they try.

I believe people think they're racially superior because they have nothing else to be proud of. They feel insecure about everything else, that their race is the last bit of hope they have left. Therefore inflicting pain onto others because of their pigment or ethnicity. So they could feel emotionally stronger and feel better about themselves.

Violence is never the answer. I hate to sound all hippy like but I believe someone shouldn't hurt someone the way they did to them. There are laws and consequences for such things, go seek them for help.