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Eye on Bangladesh

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

There was a surprisingly vivid burst of culture on the third floor of an unassuming building in the rather industrial Long Island City. Visiting Eye on Bangladesh exhibit felt like a throwback to the Arts in NYC seminar. There were several exhibits that sought to portray the life of the average Bengali citizen.

One of the first was a collection of photographs taken in a more rustic part of the city. A lot of it was in a state of greying decay. The people in the photographs stood out as the focus due to their colorful clothing. One photograph that stuck out to me was the fleet of small boats floating in shallow water. They were small rowboats that have been rendered near useless by technology. Bangladesh still utilizes what we consider relics. It’s incredibly charming that there are still places like this that exist.

One of the last exhibits was a series of portraits in which the subjects posed in scenes that represented their dreams. Most people dreamed of wealth. This manifested itself in the subjects posing with butlers, mansions, airplanes, and other luxury items. The people who live in an “Old World” setting dream of the things that are more prevalent in America. I find this interesting, as I wouldn’t mind spending a few days in that ancient city. My takeaway from the exhibit is that people seem to want whatever they lack, rather than the necessities.

From Branches to Roots

1
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

telephone

New York is made up of millions. Millions of people. People who come from different backgrounds. Backgrounds which have unique characteristics. Characteristics which can be portrayed through various forms of art and expression. Expression that lends an eye to another New Yorker who may otherwise remain forever blind to any particular facet of society.

On March 28th, 2014, this society was that of the residents of Bangladesh. Some book long ago told me that Bangladesh had the world’s highest population density, that is, the most people per square kilometer of inhabitable land within the nation’s borders. When the tour guide conveyed to us that Bangladesh had approximately 20 times the population of New York within a similar geographical area as that of New York, I reasoned that if not at the top, it had remained at least in the top 5. Thousands have emigrated to the United States and ‘branched’ out, so to speak, to provide the connection line between those who want to know halfway across the world, to their roots in the opposite hemisphere.

The pictures were striking and left me motionless and speechless for a number of minutes. While I could go on about how certain ones took me to that scene in Bangladesh such as putting me on the beach where the man combed his hair, or in the slum where the woman lay pregnant, or behind the camera of people acting their fantasies, there was something much bigger than that encompassing the experience. The exhibit itself had a story behind it and the entire room became a work of art once we knew the effort behind the project. When opening a gallery, a viewer at random may or may not know the story behind acquiring the real estate, maintaining the building, obtaining the lease, how these financial obligations are fulfilled or any of the troubles and leisures behind them – this was not the case for “Eyes on Bangladesh” and thus it was all the more worthwhile and fulfilling to have been there and experienced it first hand and in person.

Eyes On Bangladesh

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

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My favorite part of the Eyes on Bangladesh exhibition was the first series by Munem Wasif, entitled “Belonging.” I thought this was interesting because the themes he mentions in his writeup along with the context Professor De gave are readily apparent in many aspects of the works displayed. Overall, the arrangement of the photos was different than the other series because rather than relying on a linear arrangement or one with some sort of progression or distinct uniformity, they were scattered in a chaos mimicking that shown in the pictures themselves, yet there was a definite center, where the photographs became more dense. I think this idea of chaos around a center is related to the theme of belonging. The type of belonging discussed in the writeup next to the series is community––many parts comprising a whole, each part not necessarily needing to be uniform to fit together.

 

The pictures themselves are interesting as well in that they play off of stark contrasts in light, which is accentuated by the greyscale color scheme. If you look at some of the examples below, you can see that each photograph uses light/dark contrast to accent some center. Wasif also uses lines to draw the eye to a center (like in the boat picture below.) Other than the content of the photos, this composition choice makes the them predominant through all aspects of the series.   All the pictures I took have a glare on them, but ignoring that, notice the central object in all of the images. 

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The Golden Venture

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

The documentary was definitely geared towards garnering sympathy for the Chinese that came on the Golden Venture. It followed the accounts of four people that survived the crash of the Golden Venture.

I was especially surprised to see that some of the immigrants came back illegally multiple times, even after being deported back to China. Rather than save the money, they spend tens of thousands to travel illegally to America. This really showed how desperate these people were. I think this documentary showed that the current immigration laws in place must be reviewed and possibly changed, in light of the fact that there are so many “illegal immigrants” currently in the United States.

Furthermore, after hearing their stories, I believe these immigrants deserve a certain amount of sympathy. The fact that they were detained in prison for such a long time because the government could not decide what action to take was somewhat ridiculous. Additionally, seeing these people realize how different life in America truly was compared to the expectations they had initially was disheartening. Some even had to stay, because at this point they had been separated from their families for so long there was nothing for them to go back to in China, or they would otherwise lose face if they went back. These people are trying to make a better life for themselves as any other person would do, and I am more inclined to believe they should have a chance.

 

Guaranteed a Better Life?

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

What’s significant about the Golden Venture is that it shows a close and intimate look into the lives of several ‘illegal’ immigrants from China. The previous week when we had a mini debate about whether undocumented immigrants should be given identification cards, we also touched upon the topic of morality and whether these immigrants should even be able to stay in America. I argued vehemently against these identification cards; my main point was that giving undocumented immigrants ID cards would be unfair towards the immigrants who came here legally and would set a negative precedent for more immigrants to come illegally and undermine federal laws. However, after watching the Golden Venture and seeing the brutal tribulations that these undocumented immigrants had to endure, I realized how cruel and morally unjust simply deporting these immigrants would be.

For many of these immigrants, the hardships never end. They were willing to gamble everything they had; thousands of dollars, their familial ties back at home, their health and sanity aboard the Golden Venture, even their lives for a tiny chance that they could make it to America. And even then just landing in America isn’t going to guarantee them a better life. These immigrants were then jailed for several years, and after they were released, they had to start from scratch in a new country without any knowledge of the language or special skills. It was so heartbreaking to see how far these immigrants have come, through the voyage and legal battles and still struggle with working lower-than-minimum-wage jobs attempting to make ends meet. What one of the immigrants said really stood out to me: life is short, only the rich say that. It’s amazing because I can’t imagine having to endure all those years, with the constant troubling thoughts about not really having a home to belong to, not wanted in China nor America. These immigrants have devoted their entire lives for this little beacon of hope for a better life, not for themselves, but hopefully for their children. I’m amazed by the desperation and dedication of these immigrants and watching the Golden Venture really illustrated their strength and perseverance. Watching their stories and journeys as individual people makes the cold thought of deportation simply deplorable. And what’s even more appalling is that the federal government is still attempting to deport them even after they have settled in America for decades. I would say that even if these immigrants came to America illegally, if they have served the country through their jobs (and thus efficiently contributing to the economy) for a certain amount of years, they should be granted citizenship. It feels impossible to deny their determination, and the Golden Venture has certainly helped to put a human face onto the undocumented immigrant issue.

How Much Is Enough

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

After committing a crime in the United States, how much must one be punished before the crime is forgiven? Apparently for illegal immigrants, paying for coming to this country never ends.

The Chinese passengers on the ‘Golden Venture’ voyage learned this lesson the hard way. They risked their lives on land and then at sea, all for the chance of a better life in America. But after leaving everything behind and coming to a new country with only a bag of their possessions, these Chinese men and women discovered that this country did not offer better opportunities right off the bat.

Although they were saved from catastrophe, the passengers were welcomed with practically welcomed with prison. While in jail, they experienced the threat of conviction and deportation, rather than the hope of asylum. After nearly four years of incarceration, during which many men and women were deported, President Clinton issued a bill that allowed the Chinese immigrants to go free.

But this bill did not take away their title of ‘illegal’ immigrant. The passengers still received threats of deportation for several years after being set free. They had to go all the way to Congress just to fight for their right to stay in this country. Thus, the question arises: how much did the Chinese Americans need to be punished before they are forgiven for their mistakes? They risked their lives, and then spent approximately four years in jail – that is more time than some convicted felons have to pay for their crimes. These immigrants should have not been deemed ‘illegal’ after being set free from jail, because they have already paid for their crimes.

Something else to be noted from the lessons learned by the passengers of the ‘Golden Venture’ is the value of coming to America. For these immigrants, their lives in the United States have a standard of living that is considered by many Americans to be too poor. One ‘Golden Venture’ survivor worked an extraordinary amount of hours for six days a week as a delivery man, while another man worked as a chef at a Chinese Restaurant with the dream that he would one day at the same level as a normal US citizen. Clearly, these immigrants find something valuable about this country.

At the same time, I want to stress how much support the immigrants received, while they were in jail and when they were set free. Although they also faced much opposition, many American men and women gathered together with their guitars and their voices, and their posters in order to show the Chinese that their dreams are welcomed. Some citizens went all the way to Congress to help these immigrants remove their fear of deportation.

These citizens showed the values that are instilled in some Americans. Their work and support give a valid reason for why the Chinese felt that a life in the United States was worth it, even if they have to work so much harder and go through so much more than any other immigrant would.

A Bleak Venture

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

My primary reaction to the documentary Golden Venture was disgust and shame. This country was founded by immigrants, yet we treat some of our immigrants as though they’re scum. The story this film told absolutely horrified me. Immigrants so desperate to escape their home country that they spent $30,000 and suffered through a year-long boat ride in order to  get here were treated like convicts. Half were deported immediately. The other half, after four years in prison, were given parole. Not amnesty, not citizenship – parole. 220 of the Golden Venture passengers live in the US. Most of them are trapped in limbo, technically “legal” but still subject to sudden deportation. These people live with the constant fear of deportation, and for what purpose?! Who are these laws protecting? Of the more than 110 passengers who were deported, about 60 have returned to the US illegally. Although they were beaten, jailed, and in some cases forcibly sterilized after they were sent back to China, they have no chance of asylum here in the US. This system is so flawed and outdated yet remains unchanged. I don’t know how we can fix things for undocumented immigrants, but we must do something. Regardless of what some members of congress claim, were all immigrants once.

A Flickering Light at the End of the Tunnel

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

A Crime: an action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.

Illegal Immigration: refers to the migration of people across national borders in a way that violates the immigration laws of the destination country.

Hence, for all intents and purposes of this discussion, a person crossing the borders of the United States while in violation of the laws of immigration of the United States is termed an ‘illegal immigrant’ and is effectively, by definition, a criminal in the eyes of the law. 

A trek made across the mainland of China. A voyage across the oceans crammed within an inch of another’s body. The chances of survival itself are in question and yet two hundred and eighty six people made the journey – and many counted these few hundred as lucky. Is life really that horrific in China? So unbearable that familial ties (a significant one among innumerable others) must be broken in order to reach out to grasp at a ­chance of a better life? Apparently so.

The search of a better life has been a revolving theme in the foundational incentive and drive for immigration. And here there is a diversion in the documentary where the inattentive audience member’s interest often peaks for the rest of the film – these women, children and men who were crammed within an inch of each other on a rusted vessel that had no business on an ocean all recognized something that could never have come across through a spreadsheet, a data table, a graph or perhaps even entire dissertations on the subject of illegal immigration and I might go as far to say, even a case study into the life of an illegal immigrant. They realized that in order to complete living a life that had a meaning that reached up to their standards they deserved better than what they had. And they were willing to go to extreme lengths to get what they wanted, in the face of death itself, they leaped into death’s jaws and pushed their limits of survival. A few failed but none of them can say they didn’t take the leap into an abyss not knowing whether there was a light at the end of the tunnel. When the mainstream media caught hold of political representatives there was a recurring theme in newscasts – reminding the people of the United States how many took the liberties and freedom afforded to them for granted while halfway across the world people would do quite literally anything to work their entire lives to achieve a quarter of what they had by virtue of birth.

However that was the lesson to be learnt for the individual, not an entity like political organizations. There was quite a significant message that pierced the heart of the organization and operation of the bureaucratic system here in the United States. The dangers of autonomy when knowledge on how to deal with dilemmas specific to departments was scarce in that very department. It’s quite amusing to say the least. We have a utilitarian view in getting things done when it comes to transparent political actions taken by government agencies and it’s clear from the documentary that this is the case. While one side can more than easily argue that the detainment of the survivors was the right thing to do to send the right message to potential illegal immigrants another can argue that it is simply not the right way for a superpower such as ourselves to treat other human beings in that manner and that they deserve to be freed and receive protection. What the latter puts aside is that this only encourages more illegal activities to take place and is an added incentive where none else is required. It is not until these proponents are aware of how they can be affected – and in some cases affected themselves – that they come to see that. However rarely do they get to see it which perhaps in itself is a good thing for them but it doesn’t take away from the fact that someone will most definitely be affected by the presence of illegal activities and in consequence, the whole.

Therefore while spending taxpayer money to imprison/ deport the passengers of the “Golden Venture” and spending lengthy court sessions lobbying back and forth may constitute the democratic process of dealing with this issue it can be agreed on by all conflicting sides that this is certainly not the most effective methodology to find a solution to the problem. Therefore it is clear that while the documentary delves deeply into the personal lives of the passengers of the “Golden Venture” the documentary itself most importantly showcases the flaws and confusions lying in the bureaucratic functioning of federal agencies and independent government organizations.

Golden Venture: Widening the Context

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

The documentary filmmakers were very thorough, including multiple perspectives and across decades of activity.  The researchers were definitely very thorough, even including personal details of the man with the pet bird who visited the detainees every single week for several years.  It makes me wonder what they excluded from the film, and how the information they chose shaped the story.

The documentary is definitely unique in that it dedicates a large portion of air time to interviewing the undocumented immigrants.  The emphasis on the personal lives of the lawyers and the Chinese passengers of the Golden Venture was an interesting choice.  The documentary took the time to humanize and empathize with them, struggling at a bad time and bad place.  It almost made the documentary seem like a good guy vs. bad guy kind of dilemma.

I wish the film had included more about American context, besides 9/11 and other acts of terrorism.  Instead of seeing the Golden Venture as just an isolated incident, it would be interesting to connect the newcomers with the undocumented group that already exists in New York.  They might have included organizations and family members of undocumented immigrants.  The film also did not emphasize how terrible the living conditions were for the undocumented immigrants that stayed in America.  The narrator gave a brief overview of the hours and the housing but did not emphasize the terrible conditions.

Rachel Weintraub: The Golden Venture

0
10 years
by in Blog posts, Immigration Stories

The documentary “The Golden Venture ,” tells the story of a ship carrying 286 illegal immigrants trying to escape from China, and goes on to track several of the ships members years after they arrived in New York. The individuals who smuggled the people out of China were known as snakeheads. The Golden Venture was the first boat of undocumented aliens to successfully arrive in New York, but not without many hardships. The people coming were trying to find better work and lives in America and some were escaping China’s one-child policy. Before even boarding the boat in Thailand, several died on the journey over the mountains to get to the ship. Conditions on the ship were horrendous; hundreds of people were cramped into barely any room at all.  After stopping in Africa and nearly sinking during a hurricane,  they finally arrived in New York. People jumped from the boat into the freezing cold water causing another ten deaths. To the ships member’s misfortune, they came at a bad time when the country did not want immigrants because of terror scares that occurred just beforehand by undocumented aliens. The immigrants were detained in jail, without any bail for more than three years. A group of lawyers took up their case and slowly, slowly they started gaining supporters from churches.  After a long fight and 99 of the members being deported Clinton finally granted the remaining immigrants amnesty but still no legal status. Two were able to obtain artist visas. Many that were deported tried several more times to make it back to America. Life in America wasn’t as easy as it seems. They were working mostly menial jobs with absurd hours and in constant fear that they would be discovered.  The documentary as a whole was very interesting and informative. It really made one empathize with undocumented aliens and see them in a more humane light. The common argument against immigration is that they take away American jobs, but in truth they take the jobs that no American would be prepared to. When people think of illegal immigrants, they usually think of drug cartels trying to cross the border from Mexico, but this documentary really made me realize that there are good people just trying to better their lives and the lives of their families.

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