I identify myself as an American but when ask what am I my answer is always Indian and Caribbean. My great uncle reside in America after working on ships that travel form the Caribbean to Florida in the 1970’s. He soon sent for my grandmother who came to America in the early 1980 after he felt this was a place that they can make something for themselves.. This was a common movement for many Caribbean people who came here for a better life. According to the text many Latin Americans and Caribbean starting coming in American in large numbers in the 1970’s. My grandmother came here so that she can help out her mother, sister, kids and other relatives back home. She soon sent for 5 out of her 9 kids when she was in a more stable position.Having her kids in America help take off some of the stress with just here having to take care of the entire family back home. However my mother and aunts wasn’t able to bring they kids since here was look at a place to work and make money.
My father came to America in the 1980’s also. He was just here with his brother trying to live the American dream. Unlike my mother my father didn’t have any papers when he arrive here so had to work at stores, restaurant asnd soon soon starting driving taxi, a common job for many Indian immigrants. After getting establish he sent for his mother and father so that they too can live a better life. Eastern Indian migartion to America haven’t been something was discuss much in the book. I dont know if the amount wasnt as large as other races.
The immigration process that took place in the 1970’s – now more represent me due to the large number of Caribbean people coming here. Yes I am an American but my culture ties are more Caribbean. Having more and more coming to America to reside has transform many neighborhoods. Now I could walk outside and get real pot food like oxtail, curry goat, jerk chicken, roti, bread and cheese and not just a Spanish dish, pizza or Chinese Food. Having different people moving in my community is starting to mold it into a place that resemble our culture that was left make home. Many Irish came here willing wanting to leave they culture in Ireland but not Caribbean people we are happy of where we come from and try to open shops,restaurants, clubs,and bars so that we can have a feeling of home.
Immigrants are all here for a certain reason adn for many its a better life. America has given us an opportunity that wasnt available to us before.
I like how you said you family does not feel like they miss much because everything you want is near your home. I learned that your family came here for economic reasons.
Building a community around different cultures is definitely a positive thing to do. Not only does it give the inhabitants a place to be themselves it also provides safety and refuge. If I was trying to migrate to the U.S. from another country knowing that there are others like me already there living, close to each other, would give me the confidence to undergo the voyage.