داستان کوتاه انگلیسی

Corruption and Discrimination Live Everywhere (part1)



I never felt alone in Mexico. In America, there is a big emphasis on independence, everyone must struggle on their own and be successful on their own. It makes us want to socialize less and makes us want to focus on our busy schedules and our work.



1. What perspective do you wish non-immigrant Americans understood about your journey?

Personally, from my experience, I learned how difficult it is to become documented, I had the opportunity to come to the United States because my wife was able to get papers, I had it easy compared to other immigrants that need to sacrifice a lot and yet not get the proper documentation they need. Many immigrants don’t have the same luck as me in getting into the country safely and then be recognized as American by the government, which then people in society take notice of and devalue their identity and experience.

2. Did you have any fears before coming to America?

No, because my country had a lot of corruption, death, and overall dangerous
situations, that I no longer felt fear surrounding my daily life. I was used to situations being unexpected, and I knew my family in Mexico needed my help to become financially well, so I took it into my own hands to obtain a better life for me and my family.

3. Who were the people who saw you off? Is it hard to keep in contact with them now?
The people who saw me off were my cousins, my mother, my sister, and your mother’s side of the family. I said goodbye to everyone in Uruapan and traveled by airplane to Tijuana from there we traveled by car. It was hard to keep in contact with everyone before, due to technology not being as advantaged as today, now its easier to text them, to video chat. Although it’s definitely not the same as before, first moving to America I wasn’t able to talk or see my side of the family for around 6 years. My mom would visit me yearly, but the connection I had with my family, was gone for a long time.

4. Was there a misconception you had about America that you realized was false?
Every person has a different story and experience when it comes to America, I had the illusion that I was traveling to a different country without corruption. Living here for 28 years and I’ve realized what I was trying to escape is also here, and it was very disheartening to realize a lot of the problem I had in Mexico, I was able to find here. I also noticed how in my workplace I tend to be discriminated againstbecause I don’t speak the language fluently, I had coworkers and my boss doubt I could do my job correctly and efficiently due to how I spoke. And I’ve been able to demonstrate them wrong and show them I won’t have to be fluent in order to be successful in what I do.



5. How did your family feel about you leaving your home country?
They all felt sad, no one wanted us to leave and some even became angry with me because of my decision. I had a good job in Mexico and many of my family members told me why to leave when you have a good thing going on here.