Hello!!
Its been almost a month since I've blogged, due to work and school. I've taken a position working with Spanish speaking clients, which has been a challenge. I do speak some Spanish but I am FAR from fluent. I think by working with these clients I have found admiration for people who have left everything that is comfortable to them to start a life in a new county where they don't know the language. Their children enter our school system and start to learn English, which they in turn become interpreters for their families. Most of them are from Mexico. Many of them have a hard time adjusting to American Culture and end up getting wrapped up in the legal/family services system just because they don't know the rules about living in America, or they can't communicate well with authorities. You are probably wondering about the title huh?? Well I say Blast from the Past because as I am helping these families I can't help but think about what my grandpa went through. He knew English but my great-grandpa didn't. He became the interpreter for his family, he went with his dad to the bank, to pay bills etc. I have so much respect for my great-grandpa, he came here to make a life for him and his family and now I'm a 4th generation American. I am very blessed. For my cultural-competency assignment for one of my classes, I've decided I'm going to explore the education system and ESL/ESOL/English Immersion/Dual-Language Programs to see which are better.
While living here in South Georgia, the emergence of Immigrant families is a new phenomenon to them. They are struggling with how to adapt/cope with this new population of children attending their school and not speaking English, or families going to supermarkets and can't speak English. I think there is some hostility toward them.
As I was thinking abou this, I could not help but think about history. Italians, Irish. etc. immigrants went though the same thing. It took time for Americans to finally adjust to these new populations, and I think generationally Americans will start to adjust to Hispanic immigrants as well.
great post Rosie! I hope that my son realizes all the challenges my husband (1st generation hispanic in the states) has faced as well as the hard work he does..... hoping and praying for a better life for him. i see things in a new way being married to him..... for example, watching my son play soccer on a team, with a uniform, my hubs never had that and he gets so excited for my son...... our trip to universal studios, my hubs never experienced anything like it and it was cool to see it through his eyes.
ReplyDeleteyour great grandfather would be honored that you thought about his struggles and i hope that one day my son thinks about everything his dad has done.
really enjoyed this post!
I think its amazing that your son is able to do the things your husband wasn't able to do. I bet he glows with pride when he sees your son playing. I appreciate all the struggles families have to make inorder to give a better life (buena vida) for their families. I can only imagine what that is like. I hope my great grandfather is proud. I hope he knows how much I appreciate the sacrifices he made for our family. I am thankful to live in a country where children are taught that they can be anyone they want to be as long as they put their mind to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my blog and for your kind words. Take Care!!