Born in Brooklyn and Still Here

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Rabia Mehmood

There is nothing luxurious about working two jobs and attending school, unless it helps prepare you for a bright future.

“Working both jobs helps me put food on the table and clothes on my back. Also, I am an emergency bank for my folks for whenever they need money,” says Joshua Aaron Melendez León, 22, a doorman in Soho and in Sutton Place who, instead of spending his paycheck on luxuries like accessories and unnecessary clothing, pays his own tuition and saves any money he can for a masters.

“I chose to work here because it facilitates me in doing my school work,” he said during finals week at Brooklyn College, the school from which he will graduate in Fall 2016 with an undergraduate degree.

Joshua’s accomplishments really stand out considering he spent his childhood in a small section of the living room shared by two other families, with a small curtain as “privacy.” This living situation helps him “remember how far we’ve come from basically nothing, where every single dollar counted and food was scarce.”

Joshua plans on using his life experiences to teach his future children the value of hard work and the proper morals they should follow: “I do not want my children to have the same economical problems I had growing up, especially the hardships. All the sleepless nights figuring out what to eat, saving every last dime because that’ll determine your next meal. I would show them the values and morals I’ve learned but I would help show them that the sky is the limit and what you put into this world is what you get out of it. I’ll be as supportive as I can in every aspect possible because that’s what really got me through high school and even now. The help and moral support from my family got me through tough times even when things weren’t looking so bright. I would give the same type of love my parents gave me to my future kids.”

Joshua loves NYC despite the hustling people attempting to attain productive lifestyles. He especially loves Times Square and all of its beautiful lights. Joshua finds the food from Soho delicious, and the scenery from Central Park is “to die for.”

Joshua’s schedule is so packed each day that time management is key for him to maintain a healthy balance in life. He says, “the fact that I work so much, a full time student would drive anyone insane. Yes, it does keep me productive but it helps me stay productive.”

At the end of the day, Joshua reflects positively on the Hebrew meaning of his name, the “helper of God” or “the helper of people.” His position as a doorman comes with a great responsibility of helping the residents of the building after their long days in the heat or in the cold. Joshua’s family came to the United States in search for new opportunities and a hope for a better future, and they definitely found what they have been looking for. They may not be there yet, but they are well on their way to accomplish their goals!

Ms. Bella Pico’s Interview as told to Rabia Mehmood

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Rabia Mehmood

Ms. Bella Pico’s family was doing just fine in Ecuador. However, Ms. Pico decided to move to the United States to give her children a chance at a better future and better seguridad. She has lived in her current apartment for twenty-one years, and has become quite acquainted with lugares beyond Jackson Heights. She has raised six kids of her womb and one other to be successful in the career paths they have chosen and to have a priceless personality.

Education and Career

Ms. Pico aspired to become a nurse. But alas, her dreams could not be fulfilled when she gave birth to her very first son. “It is very difficult,” she says. Although Ms. Pico was young at heart, she took her new responsibility head on, putting aside her own wishes. Her lack of an educational degree, however, is atoned for through her childrens’ educations and careers.

Ms. Pico’s eldest son, Raul, is an electrical engineer and resides in Long Island. Her second son is a Programmer, and he majored in Computer Science. Her third son, Carlos, works in a hospital after majoring in Computer Science. Similarly, one of Ms. Pico’s daughters, still back in Ecuador, is a journalist; she recently covered news for the big Earthquake that has occurred as well as its after-effects.

Although Ms. Pico’s kids are successful in their lives, she choses to support herself by babysitting down the street during weekdays. On week nights, Ms. Pico supplements her income by tailoring “curtain, this pillows, the dress … arreglar la ropa, when the sleeve long … the jacket or coat and the long pants.”

Ms. Bella Pico’s work station

Family and Health

In Ms. Pico’s legacy, a joint family system is not the costumbre. She says, “In my country, when they marry, go home … separate.” Every son and daughter fends for themselves once married. Therefore, all of Ms. Pico’s sons moved out of her apartment once they had been wed. Still, they have managed to maintain a close knit family – Ms. Pico visits her sons in Long Island every weekend, and she visits her her children in Virginia every so often.

Ms. Pico’s son, Raul, lives in Long Island with his wife and two kids, while Ms. Pico’s second child has a similar situation but with one kid only. Carlos lives in Jackson Heights and has a wife and child. Ms. Pico’s daughter in Virginia has bred three kids, two of which have chosen medicine and business paths while the third is still in high school. Although Ms. Pico’s daughter in Ecuador is divorced, she has also bred three children, two of whom are interested in medicine and architecture while the third finishes up high school.

Ms. Pico may have made some sacrifices for her family, but her face immediately lights up as she speaks about any of her children or grandchildren. When she speaks about her husband, though, her tone changes to a more concerned sound: “My husband is very sicks. He has a condition de health. It’s not good. The first time he had the cancer, leukemia. After, six, seven, eight years, continue with the lupus. Lupus is a condition very, very bad. He has ten years with the lupus. It’s terrible. It’s terrible. He health is not good.” Ms. Pico serves her husband soup and puree because he is unable to swallow whole foods.

Ms. Pico pushes aside all the troubles she has and continues to endure in order to spend quality time with her family during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. These holidays are especially significant for the family, as they all make sure to be in one place, whether that place is Virginia or whether that place is New York City. Ms. Pico explains, “All go to Virginia or they coming here. Cook. And Thanksgiving is more eat turkey. And Christmas, sometimes hen; different things my country. My country its more for the provincia de El ceviche. It’s typical food.”

Impact

Ms. Pico did not only raise her own children to be successful, but she also cared for another child in the neighborhood: “Before, I care the other child in here, care for eleven years. Live in the other side of this building. They say, ‘grandma.’ They coming here with the my daughter is coming de Virginia, staying with us Christmas, Thanksgiving … When the 9/11, Arianna had the two years, and me crying with looking the building down and me crying, crying. She hug me and say, “No cry Mommy Bella, no cry Mommy Bella.’” It seems so surprising that a supposed stranger can form a bond so strong with her caretaker that she not only cares for her at a time of need, but also refers to her as “Mommy Bella.” “I say, ‘Ariana, nice letters please. She said, ‘Mama Bella, here is America.’”

In addition to her impact on her NYC neighborhood, Ms. Pico continues to remain a strong force for her home country. Along with donations from many other members of NYC, Ms. Pico and her son were able to send milk and medicine to support babies in Ecuador during the recent Earthquake crisis.

Perfection

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Rabia Mehmood

I love how the photographer captured the moment so perfectly. I love the action move and how the soccer ball aligns with the sun. I also love the horizon and sky as the background; they are my favorite sceneries in a picture.

Getting to Know Jackson Heights

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Rabia Mehmood

By: Daniella Jakubowitz, Sabrina Mammen, Rabia Mehmood, Divya Roy, Sharon Santhosh

Welcome to Jackson Heights, a neighborhood that is a bustling melange of various ethnicities and nationalities. Come experience the sights and sounds of this historic Queens neighborhood, as it continues to expand and grow in diversity. You won’t be disappointed with the bold flavors and captivating smells of delicious Mexican and Ecuadorian foods. Stick around and go for a stroll in the lovely Jackson Heights parks and experience all that this great community has to offer!

GUYACO’S
81-42 Baxter Avenue

Tired after you’re long commute into Jackson Heights? Can’t find a place to satisfy your hunger? Well, look no further! Come on down to Guyaco’s Ecuadorian Restaurant located on 81-42 Baxter Avenue. The store proudly displays its red, blue and yellow and embodies all that Ecuadorian cuisine has to offer. Run by Ecuadorian co-owner Carlos, the restaurant has been a huge part of the Jackson Heights community for almost 10 years.

Immediately upon entering the quaint and comforting setting, one can’t help but be overwhelmed by the sights and smells of the freshly cooked empanadas and beautifully plated flans. The establishment specializes in meat dishes such as Carne en palito, which is a thin skewer of beef served with ripe plantain or chorizos, and a variety of seafood such as shrimp served in a garlic butter sauce called Langostiono. Rice platters and endless Hispanic treats continue to be served on a daily basis, and display the bold flavors of different regions in Ecuador. The flavor explosion doesn’t stop there, as more dishes such as Arroz con pollo and Cevice continue to be best sellers.

After a hearty entree, you’ll never leave without dessert, as Guyaco’s serves up freshly fried Choclo, an Andean corn snack and of course the famous Ecuadorian flans. Canelazo is a popular drink among Ecuadorian immigrants in Jackson Heights, as it combines the flavors of sugar, lemon, cinnamon, and Aguaridiente into a warmly served drink.

Carlos and his brother are extremely proud of the success of their business, especially after having faced many financial and language obstacles caused by their immigrant experience. They have worked hard to make Guyaco’s a successful business that strives to serve their community better. Guyaco’s savory dishes and home cooked meals evokes memories of Ecuador for many immigrants settling in Jackson Heights and has been a source of comfort for many who miss home. Open from 10 am- 9pm, the small restaurant serves almost 100 people per day and proudly serves up the ethnic delights of many Ecuadorian immigrants.

DELGADO TRAVEL
83-16 Northern Blvd

After you’ve eaten an empanada or two at Guyaco’s, get ready to walk down one block and turn left. While walking down Roosevelt Avenue, between 79th and 80th streets, you will find a spot, while seemingly mundane, that plays a key role in the lives of Latino immigrants of Jackson Heights: Delgado Travel. This agency has been a family-owned business for over 40 years. They have even expanded to other areas in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. Their services include money transfer, money exchange, travel tickets, international calls, prepaid minutes, courier services to Ecuador and Mexico, newspapers, and radios.

Many hispanic immigrants, are simply earning money to support their families back home. Their overarching goal is actually not to stay here in the United States. Rather, they aim to move back home permanently with enough money to continue supporting their loved ones.

For example, Carlos, our friend from down on 81st-42nd street, works towards this main goal: to earn enough money working at his brother’s restaurant so that he can go back home to Ecuador and live with his family forever. Agencies like Delgado Travel help make these ventures possible when such immigrants are ready to leave.

The agency’s Spanish title already gives immigrants a sense of trust and comfort when seeking help to travel. Overall, Delgado Travel encourages immigrants to pursue their goals, whether it is to work hard to be able to visit home, or to move back permanently.

ZONI LANGUAGE CENTER
78-14 Roosevelt Ave

Our next stop, a block away, is probably one of the most pivotal for the neighborhood inhabitants, situated right between 78th and 79th. This is Jackson Height’s very own Zoni Language Center. The Zoni language Center is a widely known resource in areas including other parts of New York City, Miami Beach, London and Vancouver. They really provide assistance in helping their clients speak English very fluently and Jackson Heights is probably one of the most optimal place for this. With people ranging from all over the world including South Asia, China and Latin America. Zoni is a perfect medium for these immigrants to initiate the better life they were hoping for.

They have selection of more than 20 courses, including ESL, Business English, TOEFL, Premium Intensive English, American Culture through media, Survival English and many more with affordable prices which is what really attracts these immigrants. Their flexible scheduling allows students to meet either in the morning, afternoon or evening depending on their availability which is a significant attribute in that a majority of their student population are newly landed immigrants and they work multiple jobs so they are very understanding to the community needs.

Not surprisingly a lot of their student population include Hispanics, Chinese, and Indians. For newly landed immigrants, even in they know English it might be hard to use it in day to day communication and for that reason Zoni serves as a helping hand in getting these immigrants independent and on their feet. When interviewing the Ecuadorians of Jackson Heights, many mentioned that the Zoni Language center is a place they go to attain a GED, etc. so that they can look for a better way of living. Many Ecuadorian men choose to come to the language center rather than woman because men usually run and work more for the household compared to women. Women usually opt to work in native restaurants/shops, babysit, and in worse case scenarios work as prostitutes.

COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH
81-10 35th Ave, Jackson

Now we will be traveling away from the bustling and hustling of the busy streets along Roosevelt Avenue and head back the way we came by about three blocks and take a left on 81st Street! Two blocks down sits a place that holds a lot of meaning to neighborhood immigrants, the Community United Methodist Church.

This local church serves as a mediator for Christians who are from different backgrounds. The mission of the church is to create a community that lives together in harmony and peace. The Church offers services in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Korean. The church started in 1916 when Jackson Heights was still an emerging community and the members decided that a place of worship was necessary. The first worship services were at the Southwest corner of Polk Avenue and 25th Street, which is now a Capitol One bank. Then, in 1919 the Queensboro Corporation offered to give the land that we are standing on right now, as long as the church maintained partnership with the corporation to serve the community. During 1960s, there was a large European American attendance, but as the community started to evolve, the first Chinese, Spanish and Korean services started to take root.

Church in 1938

The church also provides additional services for its members and non-members who are struggling in their own ways. They reach out to the community by placing summer programs for kids, bible study groups, youth targeting retreats, etc. They also accommodate weddings, concerts, luncheons, and charity events.

Although a majority of Ecuadorians are Catholic and you can find multiple religious vendors that appeal to the Catholic population in Jackson Heights, many try to assimilate with the American culture by attending Protestant churches such as this Methodist Church. The inaccessibility to Catholic churches in the neighborhood also promoted these immigrants to attend Protestant churches. As a result, generations of Ecuadorian immigrants in Jackson Heights have been found attending churches such as the Community Methodist Church. It has come to be blended into their lives and traditions.

Present day

DUNOLLY AND TRAVERS PARK
34th Ave, Jackson Heights

We are currently walking through the residential area of Jackson Heights towards Travers Park. The majority of 34th and 35th avenue and most of the side streets between Northern Boulevard and 37th Avenue are residential. Latinos make up more than 50% of the population in these areas; Argentineans, Colombians, Mexicans, and Ecuadorians making up the largest ethnic groups. The Queensboro Corporation had the idea to create garden apartment buildings to give a greater aesthetic value to the area. The actual apartment building covered less than half of the property’s land.

Copyright (C), Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc, 2004

Keep to the right side. The buildings were built around interior gardens that receive plenty of sunlight and air, giving the urban lifestyle a taste of greener park life. The beautifully landscaped gardens were grown within the walls of the apartments which made them more quiet and secluded. There are multiple garden apartments throughout the residential area.

The specific streets in which we are walking down contain the Dunolly Gardens Co-ops, which are in a prime square block in Jackson Heights Historic District. The Dunolly Gardens is a full block long and, as you can tell, has a more modern look than the other buildings from its time. It replaced the original Jackson Heights golf course.

Let’s keep walking straight for about two more minutes until we reach the park. Try to stay close together so everyone can hear. Traver’s Park was built in 1938 and it is the last project that Andrew J. Thomas, a self-taught American architect, completed. The idea of the garden apartment community was to lure in the middle class out of Manhattan and into these buildings. There were many attractions near these apartments that made them more inviting including restaurants, groceries, and parks.

We have just arrived at one of the most famous parks in Jackson Heights, Travers Park. Feel free to take a seat on the benches. This park was named after Jackson Height’s community leader, Thomas J. Travers. It was established in 1949 and later reconstructed in 1995. Travers Park is located in the heart of the residential area and is the neighborhood’s largest recreational space. There are basketball courts, tennis courts, benches, spray showers, playgrounds and fresh greenery. The park is used as a social area where all the different ethnic groups living in the area gather together to hang out with each other.

If you take a moment to listen to the sounds around you, you will notice the laughter of the children, the balls bouncing, and the teenagers and adults conversing mainly in Spanish and English. If you look a little to your left you can see a soccer game that looks like it just started to get a bit heated. Boys and girls at the park can be seen sporting jerseys from multiple different Hispanic countries including Mexico and Ecuador. As you can see, the park is both aesthetically pleasing as well as fun for all ages. You can stroll around the park for a little, watching one of the sports games, breathe in the air, or just relax before we move on to our next stop.

If you happen to be sitting on one of the park benches on August 10th and look a block ahead, you may catch a glimpse of the annual Ecuadorian Parade. Every summer, the annual Ecuadorian Parade runs through the Northern Boulevard to 90th Street, filling the air with Ecuadorian culture. Ecuadorians from Jackson Heights and sometimes all of New York come and take part in the festivities. The parade livens up the streets with floats, historic cars, dancers and musicians who celebrate Ecuadorian culture. The parade celebrates the National Holiday in Ecuador during which they gained independence from Spain in 1822. Politicians including U.S. Senator Chuck Shumer and Judge Carmen R. Velazquez, the first Ecuadorian judge in NY State, usually sponsor the festivities.

Jessica Lucero and Lizeth Lucero, 4, at the Ecuadorian parade Sunday. Photo by Ken Maldonado

P.S. 69 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
77-02 37th Ave

After your lovely stroll through Travers Park, keep walking down 35th avenue and you’ll arrive at our next stop- Jackson Height’s very own elementary school- P.S. 69! P.S. 69, operating in New York City’s Geographic #30 School District, has served the children of Jackson Heights for decades with its mission to provide equality in education. With its president, Martha Vasquez, the school has made it an important goal to provide both parental and student support to enable children to reach their full potential. The school takes special note of appreciating and respecting all the different ethnicities and nationalities that are found within the student community.

The school is currently serving 1235 children in grades pre-k to 5th grade. Many of those who are in attendance take part in the school’s special academic programs including literacy, computer classes, music classes, and school for performing arts. Along with academic programs, PS 69 also offers a number of non-academic activities including vocal ensembles, ballroom dancing, guitar groups, and theatre residencies.

Ms. USA visits PS 69

In order to provide the students with a more wider array of activities, the school has partnered with athletic organizations such as Public School Athletic League and Charter School Athletic Association. Students also qualify for free or reduced meal services, which is a great help for those immigrant families struggling to feed their children.

PS 69 Elementary School functions with the knowledge that many of its students come from differing backgrounds, as we see that almost 88% of the children are Asian or Hispanic. Furthermore, the minority enrollment is 100%, which is more than the state average of 54%. The vision of P.S. 69, a global school community is, with parental support, to promote academic excellence, embrace cultural awareness, and develop tolerance, respect and civic responsibility in a safe and healthy collaborative environment.

ECUADORIAN INTERNATIONAL CENTER
37-47 76th St

Let us now walk to the Ecuadorian International Center. After taking a left onto 76th street a block down, you will arrive at a quaint little establishment camouflaged by other small signs and ads. Established in 1999, this organization works to ease the plight of new Ecuadorians and to break down the economic and political barriers that often hinder Ecuadorians from getting involved in their community and procuring livelihood. Barriers such as unemployment, insufficient documentation, poor living accommodations, and the financial burden of a family are a few among the many faced. It is hard for many people of such backgrounds in a new country, especially when anti-immigrant sentiments are present and discourage them from working hard and succeeding.

Through this organization, Latino immigrants of New York City are encouraged in areas of job development, public health education, adult literacy, Citizenship education, and legal assistance. If a certain immigrant is in need of documentation papers, work permits, or GED/HSE, the organization provides support and resources to empower them to do so. While the lives of immigrants are many times inundated with the stresses of maintaining a stable new life, this organization seeks to make their lives easier.

JACKSON HEIGHTS TRAIN STATION/ 7 SUBWAY LINE
Roosevelt Avenue

For our next and final stop, you will have to walk down 76th street turn left turn onto Roosevelt Avenue, where you will arrive at key historical site of Jackson Heights- the train station. This bustling spot, filled with the din of chatter between travelers and the honks of cars squeezing through narrow roads, proved to be a catalyst for demographic change in the area by the 1960s.

Initially, residents of Jackson Heights travelled via the New York and Queens County Railroad Jackson Avenue trolleys. 1915 marked the start of the 7 train, a key development that would change the way people travelled to and from Jackson Heights. This train was the first passenger train from Grand Central Station through the 42nd street tunnel to arrive at Jackson Avenue. Tickets for trains saw dramatic increases through the 1920s, and by the 1960s as mentioned earlier, different people started pouring into Jackson Heights.

For many immigrants, especially those who found their way into the country illegally, driving and personal transportation was not an option. Many times such transportation was too costly to pay for combined with the costs of basic living necessities. The subway system and public transportation of and around Jackson Heights was easily accessible, and shone as a key resource for immigrant livelihood.

Jackson Heights, a prosperous and commercial hub, offered many jobs that immigrants were ready to take. With the development of this public transportation, they now could. Step off of the 7 train and onto 82nd street, and you will be immersed in the smell of baked goods, the noises of people shuffling between roads and across streets, and of course all types of conversations in Spanish. Many immigrants were of Latino descent including Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Argentinian, Mexican, and slew of other Latino ethnicities. All of these different people found their way into Jackson Heights with the development of public transportation.

After speaking with some Ecuadorian immigrants, we realized that many initially settled in New Jersey. In fact, some simply came here for work. This alone expresses the importance that public transportation held in the lives of such immigrants. As Jackson Heights offers many opportunities for jobs and businesses, immigrants are prompted to travel far from their homes and back in order to procure livelihood. The efficient and cost effective option of public transportation like this subway station made it possible for immigrants to find a place to start their small businesses and make a name for themselves in this foreign country.

References

“10 Things To Do And See In Jackson Heights.” The Culture Trip. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

“About.” New Immigrant Community Empowerment. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

“A Walk Through Queens . See the Sites | Thirteen/WNET.” A Walk Through Queens . See the Sites | Thirteen/WNET. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

Barken, Elliott Robert. “Immigrants in American History.” Google Books. ABC-CLIO, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.

“Dunolly Gardens Co-op • Jackson Heights Gardens.” JACKSON HEIGHTS GARDENS Real Estate Resource RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

“Ecuadorian International Center, Inc.” Ecuadorian International Center, Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

” Ecuadorian Street Foods You Must Try – Visiting Ecuador.” Laylitas Travels. N.p., 25 June 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2016

Fernandez, Manny, Annie Correal, and Angelica Medaglia. “In Queens, No Breach of an Ecuadorian-Colombian Border.” New York Times 09 Mar. 2008: 35. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

Flores, José Miguel. “Globalization And Urban Opportunities In The Immigrant Cityscape.” Florida Journal Of International Law 17.3 (2005): 719-751. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.

“JACKSON HEIGHTS CO-OPS.” Jackson Heights Landmarks. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

“Jackson Heights Religious Institutions.” Four Diverse Communities. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016

Jokisch, Brad. “Ecuador: Diversity in Migration.” Migrationpolicy.org. N.p., 01 Feb. 2007. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

Motel, Seth. “Hispanics of Ecuadorian Origin in the United States, 2010.” Pew Research Centers Hispanic Trends Project RSS. N.p., 27 June 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

“Nonprofit (Jackson Heights, Queens): Ecuadorian International Center,.” Idealist.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

“NYC DCP Census Fact Finder.” NYC.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Pallares, Amalia. “Ecuadorian Immigrants And Symbolic Nationalism In Chicago.” Lat Stud Latino Studies 3.3 (2005): 347-71. Web.

“Welcome.” – P.S. 069 Jackson Heights. New York City Department of Education, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016

Not American, Not Pakistani. Then Who?

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Rabia Mehmood

As an immigrant, I often feel conflicted about my ethnicity. Am I American? Or am I Pakistani? In school, I am considered a foreigner, a Pakistani. When I visit family in Pakistan I am considered a foreigner, an American. It seems that I am a foreigner everywhere. Then who am I?

My father visited the United States several times before he finally decided to settle here. “It was hard,” he says, “to think about leaving everything and everyone for an unknown place. I was a manager, I had a house, I had a family.” I could never understand how my parents moved so far from their parents, especially when they grew up in a community that stresses family relations. I can not even think about moving from Woodbridge, New Jersey to Brooklyn, New York. “It’s too far a move,” I think.

Transforming from a princess to a pauper was particularly hard on my Mom. In Karachi, the city in which my parents resided in Pakistan, my mom had a maid for everything: for cooking, for cleaning, for ironing. You name it, she had it. “Our house was so beautiful,” she says. “Your dad brought new clothes for me everyday. Everyone considered me lucky.” My father was a manager in a clothing factory, and he knew a good outfit when he saw one. He would always bring my Mom the best. Even today, when we visit Pakistan, my dad’s connections score the women in the family free, beautiful dresses that are normally very expensive.

Then why did my parents move here? What was their reason? They had everything and more in Pakistan! I could have been leading a luxurious life! “We wanted you guys to get a better education,” my dad tells me. “My father’s dream was for his children to study, get a degree, but none of us [my siblings and I] put much effort into school. Ever since he passed away, it’s like the dream has been passed down.” My eldest sister is graduating with a masters in human resource in May, and my second eldest sister is graduating with a major in accounting as an undergraduate in May aswell. I am now in college pursuing a pre-med path, and my brother has dreams of becoming an engineer. I suppose, then, that my grandfather must be extremely content in the world beyond.

…

I was now beginning to understand my family’s history, and how it shaped the social strata within the family. For instance, ever since I was a child, I always despised my eldest sister because my parents always listened to her. We always vacationed at the places she wanted, we always ate out at the places she wanted, we always did what she wanted us to do! It was annoying! “Why does she always get to decide,” my other siblings and I would complain. However, I have now learned the answer to our why. Let me explain.

My dad has never been educated past the level of junior high school. Yet, he was able to hold a manager position in a garment factory in Pakistan. When my father came to New York, however, the only jobs that wanted him were all unskilled. He worked as a school bus driver by day, and as a janitor by night. My mom says, “After you and your other siblings slept, your dad, eldest sister, and I would go out to the local elementary school and clean it.” This was astonishing! I never knew that my dad worked as a janitor, let alone that my mom and eldest sister helped him each night as my other siblings and I slept soundly. This has definitely led me to appreciate my eldest sister a lot more. No wonder she feels as if she has authority over us; she has worked very hard to give us a peaceful life.

One story in particular that my mom has told me is about my uncle who lived with us for a while. “The first time he accompanied us to the school, he was flabbergasted with the amount of hard work and effort we were putting in to clean the school. He had completed such tasks in London when he lived there for some months. He showed us how to clean in a quick, yet adequate manner. ‘This is not your house,’ he told us. ‘No need to scrub every little corner.’” This story tells me that my immediate family is rooted in hard work, and maybe that is the reason I always give my best to everything I do. I have been given the genes of dedication. Even now, my mom works extremely hard not only to cook for the family, but also to cook for the guests we have over every week; I guess my uncle could not change the family’s defining characteristics. All these roots to why my family is how it is makes it seem as if I never knew my family before today. I now wonder if I still know my family or not. Are there more things that I do notknow because I was too young?

…

Living life as a misplaced American, a misplaced Pakistani, a misplaced identity has been really confusing for me. Every time I visit Pakistan, I imagine how different my life would have been. I have grown up in New York City with the freedom and opportunity of participating in numerous extracurricular activities to the point where I have been on overnight trips. Moreover, I am out of the house all day and basically only go home to sleep at night. My five hours of commute daily are a part of my life now. They are a defining feature as I choose what to do with that time, whether it is looking out the window at the beautiful river, or listening to music, or doing homework, or studying. My travel time is exactly that: “my time.” It is the moment I get to be me, have my own thoughts, have my own feelings, have my own interests. My time defines me.

My life as a Pakistani-American has been particularly interesting lately. While my dad is encouraging me to dorm so I can give more time to my education (he was originally against moving out and I had to convince him), my mom can not imagine letting her little girl move out like that. It is highly uncommon in a Pakistani society for a girl to leave home without marriage, even if it is for education. Ever since I can remember, I have been taught that family relations are very important, and therefore, I am very close with each member of my family: my dad, my mom, my sisters, and my brother. Thus, moving out is a concept that, although I was working hard to convince my parents for, is extremely difficult for me. When I was trying to reason with my dad to allow me to dorm, I did not consider what I would be giving up. Now that my pursuit may be becoming a reality, I am scared of how my life will change dramatically from a cultured Pakistani lifestyle to a more “American” lifestyle.

From Buttons to Fishes

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Rabia Mehmood

Tlingit Ceremonial Blanket (1920s-1930s)

The Tlingit clan lived alongside the coast mountains, to the left of British Colombia.

This ceremonial blanket is made entirely from foreign wares: dark blue broadcloth imported from the Sprout valley in England, red flannel from textile mills in Manchester and Massachusetts, and pearl buttons from China, America, and Europe. It also contains mother of pearl and abalone shell buttons and glass buttons. This ceremonial blanket was worn at various occasions, displaying the family crest of the owner (depicting ancestor beings and signaling Tlingit clan rights).

The detailed design on this blanket shows us that the American Indians were very keen on intricate designs. Each button is sown on separately, all linked in the shape of what seems to be a kind of fish. The fact that the cloth was traded from foreigners illustrates that not only did the English adopt from the American Indians, but the American Indians also took from the English.

We know from textbooks that the English learned the how-to’s of the land from the American Indians. We also know that the English traded with the Native Americans for their goods, which they then sold overseas. This artifact further shows us that the American Indians also used English goods, particularly cloth. It shows us that the American Indians adopted from the English, and welcomed their lifestyle in some ways.

Immigrants in New York City

The Big Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

Author Archives: Rabia Mehmood

Born in Brooklyn and Still Here

Ms. Bella Pico’s Interview as told to Rabia Mehmood

Perfection

Getting to Know Jackson Heights

Not American, Not Pakistani. Then Who?

From Buttons to Fishes