I began to imitate the people around
me little bit by little bit

Interviewer: Joel Plaza
Interviewee: Miguel Rodriguez
Date: December 7, 1999
 

What is your full name?

Miguel Rodriguez

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican.

What is your date of birth?

October 8,1955.

Where were you born?

Carolinas, Puerto Rico.

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

1975 from P.R. to N.Y. then Philadelphia.

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

To have a better future.

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

I like the woods and dislike the hurricanes.

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

I had very few people from my village in Philadelphia who had invited me here. An airplane, no.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

A friend of mine helped me look for a place to stay.

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

Only with God.

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

The cock fights because they are illegal in the U.S.

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

At first not much but then I started to miss my family.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

Lots of freedom and very cold weather.

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

To start my own business which I haven't started yet.

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

Before my family was not here with me but now they are and I'm more happy and calm.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I sold my house.

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

A lot of racism.

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

I came with some of the $3,000 that I made when I sold my house because I had to pay for my plane ticket.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I began to imitate the people around me little bit by little bit.

Do you think it was worth all your changes?

No because I have things today that I never thought I never would have today.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Six grade education.

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

No because I have a lot to thank for.

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

The only way would be if I hit the lottery and became a millionaire.

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

In N.Y. I was a construction worker in foundation.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Not for now may be later.