So many of us here in America arrived from somewhere else. Or, our parents did, or our grandparents. As we settle in, we remake this land. One of my favorite spots on the continent, in this context, is the Immigrant Museum on the Lower East Side of New York, which charts the history of the Jewish immigrants who built the garment industry in that great city.
Then there are the twin coastal points of entry -- Ellis Island in New York, where the records of my Scottish grandfather may be preserved -- and Angel Island, here in San Francisco Bay, where so many Asians first came ashore.
The stories of our ancestors are written on the walls or in the books at such places, though their real stories probably remain well between the lines. It has not always been safe to tell your true story, and in fact, it remains so to this day.
Have you heard of Paper Sons? Those are the Chinese immigrants who arrived here during the many decades when it was illegal for Chinese to come unless they were related to someone already here.
If you happen to know anyone in Chinatown, you probably know a grandchild of just such a Paper Son. This was a person who assumed another identity, in order to get here.
Our country has been built by people with the courage and chutzpah to break the rules and create opportunities.
May it always be so!
-30-
1 comment:
Yep - records of your scotish grandfather are in the federal archives. Alexander McKechnie Anderson departed Glasgow, Scotland January 10, 1923 and arrived at Port of New York January 24. Sailed on SS Assyria. You can view image of manifest and photo of ship at:
http://www.ellisisland.org/
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