Interviewee: Jorge Rivas
Interviewer: Christina Carrion
Relationship: Stepfather
Date: March 25, 2001
 

This is a man whom risked his life for freedom.

What is your full name?

Jorge Rivas

What is your nationality?

Cuban

What is your date of birth?

May 23, 1960

Where were you born?

Cuba

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

1980

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

Running from the Communist.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I didn't like the communist. I liked everything, especially the beach.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Here is where my family lived when I came from Cuba.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

In a boat.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Because I had family already living here. I stood with them 'til I got back on my feet.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

With 300 passengers.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

I miss the beach because all my life as a child I was in the water and swimming and fishing.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

The differences was that over there was hot and over here is cold. I had to get used to the differences in temperature.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

It's a nice city and nice people.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I came here to be a free man. I can't wait 'til my country is free in order to go back.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

At the time I first came here I was making $ 2.00 an hour and now I make $10.00.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left my family, friends, and the temperature which was very warm.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

I almost drowned on the way over here ‘cause the boat got full of water. The boat sunk and there was a lot of sharks around there. The U.S. Coast Guard saved me.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I didn't have no money and no clothes except the clothes on my back. I took off my shoes and left them in Cuba because I was so used to walking barefoot because I was wet all the time.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

Fine, I like it a lot.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

The good changes were the internet and computers and that's what I like.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Ninth grade in Cuba and when I came here I got my G.E.D.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

I don't regret, I'm happy to be here.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

One reason, is for my country to be free, so I could see my family and the beach I used to go swimming at.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, where did you get money?

I was a dishwasher at a restaurant.

Is there anything you would like to add?

No.