-
Macaulay Honors College
at Baruch, Spring 2013Professor Els de Graauw
ITF Benjamin Miller Log in
Not finding what you need? Search here:
Undocumented and Less Worthy
Fernando talks about his knowledge of the United States prior to immigrating.
I knew, is that if someone is here illegally and they do something, the first thing that happens is that they get deported—I knew I wasn’t going to have any right—Like hospitals, I wasn’t going to be able to go to one and receive medical care. I thought that if something happened to you, no one was going to help you, not even the police.
The Jailhouse Lawyer
Neville, a 63-year-old immigrant from Jamaica, discusses how he combats discrimination, not only for himself but also for those who cannot stand up for themselves:
Well I’ve experienced discrimination on the job. You experience it back in the 60’s, 70’s yeah… What happened to me was that I had a good sense of self. On the job, wherever I worked, I was the jailhouse lawyer, you know. What that meant was individuals who were not treated fairly and needed formalize their grievances with the company, I would write their letters, when nobody knew. You know, so individuals– sometimes people are about to be terminated, and uh, we’d just talk and I would write the letter personally with them and they could put their letter in the file and they’re still on the job.
Accepted
During his time of assimilation, he has been treated like an equal.
…I will say I think I have ever feel discriminated but I have seen that on other people. At work, on tv, people that I know. But I will say to me, not really. I don’t really remember that I hear anything racial or I got any problem like that. But I hear it. You know, when I go to work, on the train, I see some people shouting to the other people either from my country or other Latin people. And yeah, probably one time. Probably one time. I was listening to Christian music and there was this guy. He was not a Christian and he was like oh why don’t you take off that music. He was saying bad words. I just calmed down and I didn’t want to get into problems. So I said if it bothers you I’ll just turn it off. But I’d say that is a religion problem, not racial.
It’s Not Your Fault
Throughout Lilya’s 17 years in New York she never felt discriminated against by America or it’s people:
You know, I like this country. And I like to live here. Despite, you know, to be an immigrant, it’s not an easy (chuckles) it’s not an easy process. And through these 17 years, I went through many difficults. I went through many problems, but you know, I whatsoever happened to me here, I never ever blamed the country, I never ever blamed the United States.
