Her Neighbors didn't like her at first

Interviewee: Etheleen Palmer
Interviewer: Katie Hernandez
Date: January 18, 2000
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What is your full name?

Etheleen Palmer

What is your nationality?

Black

What is your date of birth?

November 18, 1934.

Where were you born?

Linchburg, South Carolina.

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

I first moved to Washington, D.C. then I moved from Washington to Philadelphia.

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

Well, I met a guy, so we were engaged to be marred so I moved to Philadelphia.

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

Well, I didn't like farming.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Well, I thought it was a nice place to live.

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

Well, I moved to Philadelphia in 1973 so I came here by bus. I wouldn't change that.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Well, a friend of mine he had a house.

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

My fiancé and my kids.

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

South Carolina: well I remember farming, picking cotton, stringing tobacco because I didn't like doing it.

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

Well, there were a lot of difference because down there your in a country working on a farm and up here you have a job you know, doing different things.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I thought It would be nice.

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

Well, I think I accomplished just everything I came to accomplish.

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

Well, the differences... I think the crime now is worse then when I moved here and racist isn't as bad now I don't think because when I first moved here they brake my windows and try to make us move out of the neighborhood.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

Well, I left behind my family and friends.

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

Well, coming to Philly there was no problem. The problem started after I got here.

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

I was working before I came to Philly. I moved from Washington to Philadelphia so I had a job in Washington.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

Well, I adapt fine after the neighbors got used to use.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Well, it was worth it because I liked Philadelphia and I found a decent job so I think it was worth it.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

The 10th grade.

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

No I never regret moving because I like Philadelphia.

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

I go back for a visit to visit my family.

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

I had a job working for Oxford Book Binding Company were they made books.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I guess you noticed earlier in the tape I said Black well I didn't say Afro American because I think we should become Black American there's other groups like Italians there not called Italian American there just called plain Italian so we should just be called Black American.