Man comes to Philadelphia expecting nothing, and finds a better life.

Interviewee: Rafael Colon
Interviewer: Liza M. Colon
Relationship: Father
Date: March 25, 2000
 

What is your full name?

My name is Rafael Colon.

What is your nationality?

I am Puertorican.

What is your date of birth?

August 4, 1958.

Where were you born?

I was born in Los Chorritos, a small section in Orocovis, Puerto Rico.

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

I came to Philadelphia in the summer of 1989.

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

I moved here because I was fired from my job. They fired me because of favoritism. The woman who got me fired was rich and brought more money into the company than I did, and since I had nothing in P.R. I had to move here.

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

I disliked the people, they were too nosy and knew everyone's business, so it was as if you had no private life.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I chose Philly because most of my family lived here.

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

I came here by airplane, I would not change that at all.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

I moved in with my sister for a year, then I bought and moved into my own home.

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

First I came alone, just to take a look around, then I brought my wife and kids.

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

The thing I remember the most is fishing crabs at the creek, because it was fun and I loved it.

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

Culturally it is different. People over here do not care about anything. People over there are nosy, but they cared about you.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I did not expect anything from Philly, I was forced to come here by the circumstances. I did not have any plans for being here.

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

I don't know. Right now I am trying to raise my son the Puertorican way, since the culture is so messed up here.

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

Things are getting better now. Everyday things get a little better, some people may not notice the differences but there have been lots of changes.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I feel that most of my culture was left behind behind when I left.

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

I stumbled into racism. I became very racist because this nation was racist. I did not understand why people acted the way they did.

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

I had $800 saved up from when I worked.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I had to be very patient. One, because I did not speak English, and two because it was the only way I would get somewhere.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I learned English, and I met new people that I am friends with now that think like me.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I have two years of College, and an English course.

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

No, people respect me here and I am looked as crazy in P.R.

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

I would not go back no matter what. I would visit but never to go back to live there.

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

I worked in an egg company. We had to package the eggs and send them out to the stores. It was like a factory type of job, which I was not used to, since I had always worked in a totally different environment than that. I was the main person in my department in my job in P.R., and then I suddenly became a simple factory worker.

What type of job did you do in P.R?

I worked as an artificial inseminator. I worked with cattle. I would inseminate them, help them give birth, and care for them. I was like a veterinarian there.

Is there anything you would like to add?

No, I would not like to add anything at the moment.