A family's struggle to leave their memorable home.

Date of interview: May 19, 1999
Name of interviewer: Nancy Vera
Name of interviewee: Maria Luisa Vera
Language of interview: Spanish
Translated by: Nancy Vera
 

Why did you leave your country?

The reason why my family left Puerto Rico was because my father use to work for the electric company and he had an accident, so he was forced to leave his job. Ever since then, he's had bad health and no one wanted to hire him in Puerto Rico, and since their was eight of us, he needed a job to support us. So my older brother, who had moved about a year before to Philadelphia, called my dad and told him about the job opportunities in Philadelphia.

How did you get the money to move?

The way we got the money to move to Philadelphia was, my parents had to sell our house, but it still wasn't enough money. So some friends and family members gave us some money for our passports [fares] because there was eight of us and we couldn't afford it.

What did you sacrifice?

I sacrificed a lot of family and friends I had in Puerto Rico. Also, the house we had. My grandfather had built and lived in [it], and then left it to my parents when he died. I think leaving the house was the biggest sacrifice because my parents had to sell the house to move and I know it really hurt them to leave it.

What were your expectations about your destination?

Well, most of all I wanted a good education, so that way I can help my parents, which were old and I needed to help because since they brought me over here I felt as though I owed them in having a good education so I can get a good job and help them financially.

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

My life changed when I came to Philadelphia because for one, I didn't know English, and if I didn't learn how to speak it, how was I going to get through school and get a job? So I had to learn whether I wanted to or not. Another thing was the weather. I wasn't use to the cold weather in the winter, but after a while I got use to it.

How did you adapt to your environment?

Well, at first I wasn't use to it because I didn't know how to speak English, but then, when I went to school, I met new friends and they made me feel at home.

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

Well, the differences between when I came in 1971 and now, was in 1971 I noticed a lot more racism. Blacks lived in black neighborhoods, whites in white neighborhoods, and Latinos lived in Latino neighborhoods. I didn't know why, and really didn't understand, because in Puerto Rico everyone is united and I had never seen any racism, but now, in 1999, I notice all the neighbors of different races are united and I think that looks very beautiful. Also, when I first came here there was less of a drug problem, but now there are a lot of drug dealers on the corners, and a lot of violence in schools. A lot of things have changed since then. Some for the better and some for the worse.

Do you regret moving?

No, I don't regret moving over here because I'm living a good life and I did help my parents who, thank God, are still alive.