Interviewee: Jose Rivera
Interviewer: Luisa Bonet
Relationship: Uncle
Date: February 20, 2001
 

A man who wants a better life for his family and himself.

What is your full name?

My full name is Jose Rivera.

What is your nationality?

I'm Puerto Rican-American.

What is your date of birth?

My date of birth.

Yes, when were you born?

I was born January two nine, four nine.

Where were you born?

I was born in Puerto Rico.

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

Back in 60’s like ‘65 ‘66

What city were your born in Puerto Rico?

Ponce.

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

Well, I was searching for a better things, better future.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I ain't first come over here, I come to New York and from New York here.

What made you choose to come to Philadelphia?

I guess it was more friendly, in a way, it was more I guess it was more peaceful.

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

Train. First I came with my cousin, then I traveled in train.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Family here, living already in the, I had country, I mean this city.

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

The first time I traveled with my cousin.

What do you mean the first time?

When the first time I came from over there.

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

I don't know, it was.

What do you remember about Ponce?

Ponce was a beautiful place. And you know the weather nice all the time. And things like that you know. And the girls.

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

The different was that over there. I was feeling comfortable, then here because, over there I came to move over here and I be different things, than over there. I have to start adapt to the life people live in here then it then it, you know, like, start a new life. It was a totally different.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I was expecting when I came to the United States to have a better future, for me , for my family and things. Well, be different.

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

The first thing I have to get a job.

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

The different I got adjusted to way the people are living here. I adapt to the way things are and I guess I feel like.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

First of all my biggest sacrifice was leaving my family behind.

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

Language barriers, misunderstanding. Lot of people react different to other races, somethings I didn't have to live there. And the way life is totally different.

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

My mother helped me through but, I cannot really remember. And I used to work also. I used to make twenty-five dollars a week in a refreshment place. But I cannot remember what I had in my pocket. I know it wasn't much.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

It was pretty hard, especially language barriers.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Then I had to make my own family, and make my own family here. And my new family and they had kids. I guess I had to adapt to the living of things.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Well, when I left I was in elementary school then here I came and went to school too. And also I went to Job Corps.

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

Yes, sometimes I do.

Why?

So many things that happen I guess...

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

One reason is if I had a steady job, that I have my own place my own house that would have been nicer to go back to to taking my family.

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

My first job I remember was that I was working for Mrs. Paul's kitchen right in Doylestown, PA. That was my first job in the U.S., I mean Philadelphia.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I don't know, not really.