The Vida's immigration; a personal narrative

My Families Immigration

            After interviewing my grandmother about her immigration experience, I decided I wanted to know what it was like for my mother being the "Gogol" of our family. My mother gave me more information about my grandmothers experience too. In many ways, my grandmother and mother had similar situations. 

           My grandmother escaped during the revolution of 1956.  My grandfather was part of the uprising and got on  a list of citizens to arrest when the revolution failed.   He asked my grandma to go with him and leave Hungary.  She asked her father if she could go. She was only nineteen, the same age as my sisters now.  When they escaped to Austria they got married, mainly because they were living together and that was not proper.  So they really got married and didn't know each other, similar to Ashima and Ashoke.

           When my grandparents had a sponsor to go to America, my grandma was six months pregnant with my mother.  My grandma didn't know anyone and was very lonely, just like Ashima.  My grandma would mail my mothers hair from her first haircut.

            My Grandma relied on mail for news about her six brothers and sisters.  My grandma was the oldest and missed her siblings.  Where Ashima and my grandma differ is the whole baby naming.  My grandparents wanted to assimilate, blend into the American life style.  They didn't want their kids to be different.  So when they named their three kids, they chose very American sounding names, not Hungarian names.  Patty, Peter and Tommy, can't get more American then those names.

            In the similarity column, goes the visits back to Hungary.  My mother said she hated having to go to visit Hungary every summer.  They would have to go for the whole summer to visit with family in Budapest and the countryside.  My mother would be jealous of the American kids who would get to go to the beach or attend camps.

            My mother also said she remembers going to other Hungarian families houses every weekend, listening to everyone speaking in Hungarian, eating Hungarian food.  My mother said she hated it at the time, but appreciates it now, as a grown up.

When my mother met my father, my great grandpa in Hungary heard his name, Michael Hallas, and said Magyar (Hungarian!). Hallas, Halasz means fisherman. My mom said no, my father is of Ukrainian descent. Well, as it turns out, my great grandpa was right, a family tree search turned up Hungarian origins.

           So, the wedding was with all the family from Hungary, in New Jersey at the Short Hills Hilton, attending a mixed American Hungarian wedding. Very similar to Gogol and Moushumi.

When I was Nine years old, my mother took my bother and sisters and me to Hungary for the whole summer.  It was fun, but I wonder if I would have liked it as much if I had to do that every summer?

          We eat Hungarian food at Christmas on Hungarian plates.  We celebrate Christmas Eve, not day.  We do the Christmas Day thing for my father, because that is how he grew up. So I guess some of the Hungarian customs stayed with my grandma and my mother.  I wonder how I will celebrate Christmas with my family? 
Gogol's story was without a doubt similar to my own family's story. 

       

Research Article: The DREAM Act

Harry Hallas                                                                                                                                                                    10/28/12

English 11H                                                                                                                                                                      Mr. Levy

The Dream Act

            The Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, or the DREAM Act, a gift to America’s illegal immigrants, has the potential to improve this Nation as an attractive country for undocumented aliens.  Under this Act with such strict guidelines, illegal immigrants are given a pardon from being illegal or undocumented, if they are under 30 years of age, if they were under 16 when they illegally came into the U.S., if they graduated High School and are enrolled in college or other type of higher learning, and if they have been in the country five consecutive years prior to the bill passing. This bill, with all of its restrictions would fail to apply to an incredibly high percentage of illegal aliens. President Barack Obama and Democrats in congress are attempting to force this bill through, but are being denied rightfully so by Republicans. Illegal immigrants taking part in American education has been a controversial issue in recent years, and is a subject that has been and will be important to Latino voters in this 2012 election.

            In New York, a bill was introduced on August 17, 2012, that would make tens of thousands of illegal immigrants eligible for government financial aid for college. This bill closely follows the DREAM Act which was “Unfortunately blocked by the Senate Republicans." according to Senate Democratic spokesman Mike Murphy. It is understandable that legal immigrants should have an equal chance to earn an education and a possibly a job, but, it seems almost hard to fathom that in New York they not only want to allow immigrants to receive an American education, but they want to give illegal immigrants tax payer money in order to pay for their education. Rudy Giuliani as mayor of New York City supported the education of illegal immigrants as he said “The reality is that (illegal immigrants) are here, and they're going to remain here. The choice becomes for a city what do you do? Allow them to stay on the streets or allow them to be educated? The preferred choice from the point of view of New York City is to be educated". Well put, but as long as they continue to be educated and given training wheels they will continue to cross our borders illegally, it doesn’t matter if they are incredibly hard workers, this can’t continue.

            The DREAM Act has its influences and is very controversial. In the Presidential Election   both Romney and Obama have given their stance in concern to this Act. Obama being part of the Democratic Party supports the DREAM Act and the keeping of illegal immigrants in America that have “settled”. On, the other hand, he has deported 1.5 million illegal immigrants, which is more than both the administrations of Clinton and Bush. His stance on immigration seems to reject new-comers and criminals. Obama also supports the giving of Visas to foreigners that are highly skilled foreign workers and entrepreneurs.

Romney shares the same stance in a sense but to a further degree. Romney vetoed a similar piece of legislation to the DREAM Act in Massachusetts, and during the Republican Primaries he stated that if Congress were to pass this legislation he would have it vetoed. Romney’s stance on immigration as a whole sees it fit that those illegal immigrants who have been in the country for around a quarter century should be allowed legal documentation, as they have likely installed roots into their communities, but, he has a unique stance on deportation. He wants to set forth a long term immigration plan, but when asked about a direct plan he refers to it as “Self-deportation” meaning If the immigrants can’t obtain a job or a drivers license they would, on their own will, go back to the their country of origin. He says He feels “uncomfortable with the idea of round up and deporting people en masse.” This suggests he wants to make it harder for illegal aliens to get documentation, an efficient process, in which no one is forced against their will to another location.

They share fairly similar views on immigration, but, the DREAM Act seems to be one of the few important distinctions between both candidates’ stances towards immigration. The DREAM Act is influencing other legislation off of it such as New York’s that just simply doesn’t make any logical sense. A government student loan will be given to an illegal immigrant, why? Because they deserve an equal opportunity? No, that loan should be given to the student with a 3.9 GPA who got into a competitive school but can’t find the money to go to that school. Someone shouldn’t receive a loan exclusively because they are an illegal immigrant, the logical response would be to deny them that loan. The DREAM Act is a very important and influential bill by the Federal Government that can influence State Governments to create legislation tied hand in hand with the DREAM Act that wouldn’t deport an illegal immigrant, but pays for their education to an extent.  

Works Cited

·         Balz, Dan. "Massachusetts." Masslive.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/10/campaign_issues_2012_barack_ob_3.html>.

·         Glionna, John M. "Arizona Immigration: 'Show Me Your Papers' Enforcement to Begin." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/18/nation/la-na-nn-arizona-immigration-20120918>.

·         Poe, Catherine. "DREAM Act: President Obama Reaffirms Unwavering Support for DREAM Act at Univision's Latino Forum." Washington Times Communities. N.p., 21 Sept. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/ad-lib/2012/sep/21/dream-act-president-obama-reaffirms-unwavering-sup/>.

·         "NY Would Give College Aid to Illegal Immigrants." NBC New York. N.p., 17 Aug. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Illegal-Immigrants-NY-Bill-College-Tuition-Financial-Aid-Dream-Act-166580956.html>.

           

            

My Mother's Kitchen: Analysis.

My Mother's Kitchen by Choman Hardi

I will inherit my mother’s kitchen,
her glasses, some tall and lean others short and fat
her plates, an ugly collection from various sets,
cups bought in a rush on different occasions
rusty pots she doesn’t throw away.
“Don’t buy anything just yet”, she says,
“soon all of this will be yours”.

My mother is planning another escape
for the first time home is her destination,
the rebuilt house which she will furnish.
At 69 she is excited about starting from scratch.
It is her ninth time.

She never talks about her lost furniture
when she kept leaving her homes behind.
She never feels regret for things
only her vine in the front garden
which spread over the trellis on the porch.
She used to sing for the grapes to ripen,
sew cotton bags to protect them from the bees.
I will never inherit my mother’s trees.

The Poems Meaning/Message

         I feel as if everyone has those hand-me-downs or items that they receive from friends or relatives that are in reality useless, sometimes disgusting, but, they hold unquestionable value as a symbol or a reminder. That is what she will inherit.

This stanza the author uses to connect people to the experience of obtaining utensils, appliances, clothing, and so on from their parents and maybe even their parent's parents, that most are familiar with.  

        Her mother has had a undeniably unpredictable life, from the second paragraph the author helps the reader understand that she will finally, at the age of 69, settle down. An enduring immigrant. Again, like eight times before, she will refurnish, and start from scratch.  

       The mother does not care for such furniture, she only holds memories and talks of tranquility, and the small things surrounding her past lives that she had enjoyed and now misses. 

       My grandmother, like the mother in this poem, had never stayed put. Since she was 20 years old she has been on the move constantly. When I asked my Grandmother in my interview with her if she had taken with her to America any recipes she said, "Non. Escaping middle of the night, it was not on my mind." I knew the answer before I had even asked it, I knew she had dearly missed those recipes that she always talks about at family get-togethers. Those recipes no one will inherit. 

        I myself will inherit, along with many others in my family, piles of my grandmother's possessions. Every year in fact when we stay at her house for a little under a week before Christmas, she has us explore the house and make an extensive list of things that we will want from her house when she's gone. In a way it's like a compilation of our family's lives in Hungary, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey. Eventually, that compilation of our family's travels will be dispersed among the family, hopefully not any time soon.

An Interview with my Grandma, a Hungarian immigrant

Harry Hallas

Interview: My Grandma Aniko, a Hungarian Immigrant

1.       What were your reasons for escaping to or coming to America?

A: I escaped from Communist Hungary. The Hungarian people rose up against soviet occupation in 1956, but when the Revolution failed we we were unarmed against the Russian tanks, many Hungarians escaped, hoping to find a better world. 

2.       To what degree of isolation from the rest of society did you feel in the early months of being in America? If any.

A: None. The american people were very welcoming, wanting to help with my language difficulties, introduce the "american way" and I appreciated it very much.

3.       Did you spend time with people solely of your origin (Hungarians)? If not with who did you spend your time with?

A: Yes, whenever one Hungarian "bumped into" another Hungarian  we formed friendships, and were exchanging experiences in our new country. But we all wanted to "fit in" .Our primary goal was to learn English so we could hold a better job, and as soon as possible achieve the "american dream"

4.       How much of your Hungarian recipes did you bring with you into America?

A: None, escaping middle of the night, it was not on my mind.

5.       How did you help your children blend into American culture?

A: My children were born here, they were Americans. I made it a point to associate with my children's friends, parents.

6.       Did you and your children grow together or apart after your children became more American?

A: This was not an issue. My children were very aware of my Hungarian roots, we spoke Hungarian at home. I wanted them to keep and be aware of their Hungarian heritage, but there was no doubt that America was our Country, where we made our life.

7.       When it comes to your children’s names did you want Hungarian or American names for them? OR did you find a blend between the two?

A: We looked for "international" names. There are many, like Anna, Peter, John. I did not want them to have a typical Hungarian name, and have a problem with it with their friends or in school. But also wanted my parents in Hungary to call their grandchildren by a familiar name. 

8.       How often did you take your children back to the homeland?

A: As often as possible. At first we were not permitted to go back to Hungary, would have been arrested, because we escaped. But when we all got amnesty, it was only a question of money.

9.       If you could change one thing or anything about your migration to America what would you change?

A: Nothing. I worked hard to be part of the "melting pot" this was in the best interest for my family.

10.   Pros and Cons of America….What do you love most and what do you hate most?

A: I often say to my american friends, that I am a better american than they are, because I know the difference. I know what a wonderful Country this is, and not taking it for granted. I appreciate most of all our freedom. We can criticize our Government, don't have to be afraid that the police will knock on our door in the middle of the night, we have freedom to exercise our religion. We all have unlimited opportunities for economical advancement, and if we work hard, and do our best, we can achieve our dreams. I like the idea, that it is up to me. 

But with freedom, comes responsibility. I don't like, when we shed our responsibilities, and expect someone else to fix our problems, without we trying first. I don't hate anything about this Country. I might be critical, I might be upset over things here and there, but I don't hate anything. 

11. Follow up question: Other than recipes, what other possessions with personal value did you bring with you?

A:  I was 19, a teenager, so somehow I felt it important to bring my journals, which I have to this day. I also brought a few items of warm clothing. 

12. Follow up question: Where did you go to first after you escaped Hungary?

A: We left in the middle of the night and traveled to the country side towards the border of Austria. occasionally we ran into other Hungarians who were also attempting to escape. The Russians were looking for us and used "spotlights" that we had to avoid. Once we got to Austria, we stayed in a refugee camp. This is where your Grandfather wrote letters to prominent bankers in America to see if they would sponsor us to come over. The President of The Bank of Providence (Rhode Island) paid for our trip to Rhode Island, gave your Grandfather a job, and set us up in a furnished apartment. 

13. Follow up question: You said you wanted to be part of the "melting pot" does that mean you became an American citizen? 

A: Yes I did, I worked very hard to learn English and American history, so I could pass the test. I'll always remember the day I was sworn in, I was so proud to become an American Citizen. 

14. Follow up question: I'll give you some time to think and compare and contrast. What do you consider your home now New York, or Budapest?

A: It's funny that you should ask that, because I ask myself that same question all the time. I would say that I consider New York my home because this is where my children and grandchildren live, but when I am at my apartment in Hungary I feel that same feeling of home. 

15. Fallow up question: As you were sponsored on your way to America, did you come through Ellis Island? 

A: No, I came through Alaska, I almost missed the flight to Rhode Island. I was in the gift shop looking at things that I've never seen before.