(The Yemeni American News)
Behind every immigrant there is a unique story
The history of Arab American immigration to the U.S goes back to sometime at the end of 1800. Behind every immigrant there is a unique story that reflects the goals and hopes of their new home to be.
Al-hajj Abdo Alkirsh is one of those immigrants, his American story started in his early 20’s. Hajj Alkirsh immigrated to the U.S in on December 1959. Like most immigrants that was the decision that changed his life.
The following Questions give us some details into Hajj Alkirsh unique story:
1.When did you immigrate? How old where you at the time?
a.I immigrated to the United States on December 1959. At the time I was 20 years old.
2.How did you prepare for your trip here?
a.First of all I had to get my visa. Following that I started planning on how I could use my time wisely, packing and visiting family and friends before the trip.
3.What do you remember about the journey?
The journey was very difficult, it was a five day trip that started from Aden to Cairo then Beirut, and then to New York trying to communicate with others who did not speak the same language. This made the trip very tiring and restricted my mobility.
4.What are some of the best things you found here?
Opportunities to succeed regardless of cultural, race, or gender is the most important factor that differs America from anywhere else on earth. In addition, the educational and health systems makes America on the top of the list of places to settle and builds the families future.
5- What type of communication mediums did you use to reach to your family in Yemen?
Mail letters was the most known method of communication. Where we have find a friend that is going back and send the letter them. Shortly after, phone technology reached our area’s back home and then we would set a day for the family to call them to a home or a business of a friend that is living in a city. This method remains till few years back till the cell phone technology came; now we call the family on a daily basis.
6.What differences have you noticed from the time you arrived till now in regard to:
i.Living circumstances (housing, food, transportation, etc.)
a.I have found that the living circumstances are more advanced and a lot more regulated for every day safety.
ii.education
a.I have noticed that education has changed for the better. The educational conditions are more advanced and more equipped than before. We also can see that there are more teenagers dedicating their lives toward education.
iii.Jobs
Opportunity with no question has increased for our communities as minorities in this country. We are allowed to accelerate, lead, and be creative just like other citizens.
My first job after my arrival to the U.S was picking asparagus in the farms of California. One Year later I started working on a ship which lasted for 15 years of my life. In other words, my work depended on my physical ability to do the job. Now a days when I look at my son, he hardly uses his physical capabilities to do his job except for carrying his bag when leaves to work.
iv.gender roles (what is expected of men or women)
Men and women are viewed equal, both has a role that can be played by the other. Education of women has become as important as men. For our community this is a huge change that revoked the norms of our society. Now I value my daughter’s education as much as her brothers. Moreover, I try to make the environment as comfortable as possible for her because she faces more barriers than her brothers, which is a sad truth about our community.
7.What are some customs that you have felt comfortable keeping?
Family bonds and a sense of responsibility toward family is one custom that is necessary to keep, which distinguishes us from other communities.
