THE IMPORTANCE OF A Human being
Why now and why THIS SUBJECT...
The thought and idea of immigration is one that spans since the beginning of history and through the generations that have come before us. But why do we now find ourselves interested in seeking out more? Could it be a result of the most recent election and the actions taken against immigration soon after? Or is it the fact that science and technology have given us ample opportunities and resources (Ancestory.com, etc.) to discover our past?
Whichever it may be, we are left questioning the origin of immigration and what defines the statement so commonly used in both political and personal conversation. Listen below to find out more...
When I first heard of this assignment I didn't think it would be an issue to find a subject considering immigrants make up most of our families and lives. I could've used a friend, a classmate, or even a co-worker, but I decided to make this journey more personal and speak with my very own grandmother who immigrated to the United States of America from Poland during the span of World War II.
It's stories closest to us that often go unnoticed and undiscussed. I've written papers about immigration before and asked my Grandmother about her journey, but have never taken the time to educate myself on the depth and importance of her life. It's forever a piece of her history and the sole reason I exist today. For this assignment I decided to take a closer look and educate myself on not only the journey of Helen Coniglio, but on the importance of my connection to the immigration surrounding me every day.
PHOTOGRAPHY FROM A JOURNEY
A photo can tell a thousand words, but so can a document. The documentation seen in the photos below are real pieces of history that have been preserved over the past years since the immigration journey of Helen Coniglio and her family. Dozens of documents were sorted through and translated throughout the past years and the photos below include, a duel passport (these were often given to immigrants so less documentation needed to be created), a birth certificate from the country of Poland, an honorable letter is discharge signed by the Army of the United States, and a handwritten Polish letter.
Pictured above (left - Helen Coniglio): a duel passport was often used for immigrants with young children so additional documentation did not need to be created.
Pictured above is a certificate from 1933 officially documenting the marriage of Helen Coniglio's parents.
Pictured above: The document pertains to the honorable discharge of Anthony Myslinski (Helen Coniglio's father) from the Army of the United States dated July 14, 1945.
Pictured above is a letter written in Polish to Helen Coniglio before she immigrated to the United States of America.
audio of AMERICAN DREAMS
Much like the power of photography, words have the ability to tell a million different stories in the way they are arranged. Poetry has the ability to tell a story, move emotions, and convey a meaning. The poem below titled "American Dreams" is narrated by college students who identify and connect to the theme of immigration through their own family history.
I breathe, I bleed but so does the rest of America.
All of us bleeding red, all of us containing the same skeleton within.
Melted into a pot, here for the same purpose
To strive, to succeed, to seek opportunity.
So why do we struggle to be accepted?
Why are we discriminated by the tone of our skin?
Why do we continue to be stereotyped and put down?
America is no easy place,
It comes with hardships and lots of sweat, but eventually we will find what we seek
We will grow to love one another and accept each other, because we're all on the same road.
You see, at my age I observe a lot.
On the streets of New York City, I watch and I see,
All these people with their different stories and how,
someday I will be on my journey with my own story.
One day I will be a college graduate and I will chase my American dreams.
To me America is a beautiful place if you take a moment to see.
It's true we do have freedom,
And it's true that living here is very hard, and when you look back on all the accomplishments, that America has brought for you, then you'll see,
You'll see that you wouldn't have wanted to live anywhere else.
America the great, America the one and only.
I thank you for giving us all a chance.
We will grow to love one another and accept each other,
Because we're all on the same road.
We’re all human beings…
American human beings.
IMMIGRATION INTERVIEW
The following interview takes place with Helen Coniglio, an immigrant who originates from the town of Burzyna, Poland and later journeyed to the United States of America to start a new life after fleeing Europe during World War II. The journey was not easy and Helen describes the events that took place in work camps and on train cars while being transported from country to country. Helen speaks of the hardships and challenges of leaving behind her life in Poland and spending months adjusting to the United States. Helen also discusses the importance of immigration and how much every story matters towards a families identity.