By: Italia Hernandez
Riding on a crowded train car in Manhattan, you can see the world reflected in the faces of the passengers. There are men, women, and children of every language, color, creed and culture sitting side by side, all of them going about their daily business. People from every part of the globe have been immigrating to the United States for decades, and many find themselves making their way in the Big Apple. While they can all call themselves New Yorkers, each individual has their own story about how they came to claim this title. This is Courtney Edward’s story:
Her family has its roots in Jamaica, particularly the alluring seaside city of Kingston. This southeastern city is the largest in Jamaica and fittingly its capital. While many of us know of the beautiful, dark skinned residents of African descent that inhabit this gorgeous city, it is also home to people of Chinese and East Indian descent as well as other ethnic groups. Kingston was established in July of 1692 as a refuge for earthquake victims, after this natural disaster destroyed Port Royal earlier that same year. Kingston has come a long way since then, and today it is the most economically important city in its country. Many government institutions operate from there and most monetary transactions take place in this coastal location, stimulating the rest of the country’s economy. Being such an important and influential city in Jamaica, Kingston is on its way to becoming an International Financial Center.
The first person in the Edwards family to come up to New York was the sister of Courtney’s father – her aunt. Engaged to an American man, she was sent for in the 1980s to New York in order to start a new life with her husband, and once she got here, she sent for her mother – Courtney’s grandmother. Upon arriving in this country, she wasted no time working towards getting the family together. She sent for her son – Courtney’s father. When he got here, he immediately sent for his wife and daughter still living back in Jamaica. On November 29, 1989, Courtney’s mother and sister found themselves in New York. With the family finally reunited, they could now work towards the better future they had envisioned when the thought of moving to the States had first entered their minds.
What defines an immigrant? The dictionary says an immigrant is a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence. But is that the single best definition? There are people who have come to this country at a young age, sometimes being only a few months old. Some only experience aspects of their “native” culture through the traditions of their parents. Many grow up speaking with no accent, participate in American culture, and identify as Americans first. Are they really immigrants? I believe they are only immigrants by definition. According to Courtney, everyone in her immediate family, whether or not they were born here or immigrated here, are not immigrants. They have all been working hard in this country for years, have lost their accents if they ever had one, and are legally considered to be citizens of the United States of America. Even though some of them were not born here, they have immersed themselves in the culture and lifestyle of New York, and over the years have become fully Americanized. Her grandmother, who still speaks with an accent and has yet to gain her citizenship, is one member of Courtney’s family she considers to still be an immigrant. Having been born and raised here, Courtney considers herself to be an American for the most part but is still in touch with aspects of her Jamaican culture.
Why do people immigrate to another country? Some are driven out by dangerous situations taking place in their homeland, while others have family in other places of the world and hear that life may be better there. For Courtney’s mother, the opportunities presented by relocating were too good to pass up. Not only were there many potential jobs available for her, but America could also offer better quality education. With the future of her children in her mind, Courtney’s mother made a life changing decision and hopped on a plane to Jamaica, Queens. She sought a better life for her and her family. Did she find it?
The answer is yes. If we were to speak to Courtney’s mother today, she would tell us that she came to this country with a vision in her mind and hope in her heart. It was through careful planning, willful determination, and the support of her family that allows Courtney’s mother to say that she was able to get everything she wanted out of coming to this country. She worked hard to make sure that her expectations would be met, and today she finds herself in Queens Village, Queens. She is a woman who can say that she has managed to check everything off of her to-do list – she has found success and is giving her family the opportunity to do the same.
