THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Interviewer: Shantate Oney
Interviewee: David Oney
Relationship: Father
Language used: English
Date: May 19, 2000

What is your full name?

My name is David Oney Myers.

What is your nationality?

I am part Afro-American and part Mohawk.

What is your date of birth?

My birthday is September 18,1957.

Where were you born?

I was born in Mobile Alabama.

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

I moved from Alabama in 1958 to Philadelphia to find a better way of living.

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

There was a lot of racism there.

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

I liked everything about my home but I didn't like the K.K.K.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

My parents chose Philadelphia I didn't.

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

We took the bus to travel here. If I could change anything I would make them sit in the back of the bus and us in the front of the bus.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My father found a place to live.

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

I traveled with my mother and father.

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

I remember being on my grandmother's farm picking Apples and Potatoes.

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

Up here in Philly you don't know your friends from your enemies, because when we moved here we got robbed. Down in Alabama you know people down there, because everyone is friendly to you.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected when I moved to Philly that I would have wanted to call it my home. I don't want to call this place my home I would rather go back to Alabama

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

I didn't come here to accomplish nothing. I feel as though I still need to finish my education like I am supposed to. So that I can make a better way of life for my family.

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

The difference between when I came here in 1958 and now, its so dangerous out on the streets you can't send your children nowhere. Before now everything was a struggle but there wasn't as much drugs then, as there is now.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I sacrifice leaving my family behind. I wish I could have seen them now. Until this day I don't know none of them.

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

When I grew up here the first problem I encountered was going to school.

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

My dad had the money because he used to work for PENN PACKER MEAT COMPANY. But he had enough where we could get by.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I just adapted - that’s all I could do.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

No, I don't think it was worth it at all.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I got my education in Philadelphia.

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

Yes, because there isn't anything up here for me.

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

I would go back because it's better down there than it is up here. I would go down there and get a farm, and take my family with me.

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

When I turned 17 I worked for the U.S. Naval Base.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I'd like to tell the young kids if you can do it, get your education while you can now, because if you don't get your education now, you won't be anything.