Searching for the American Dream

HIST20001 Searching for the American Dream

Yu-­‐Jia (Annie) Du 338495

TOPIC: Imagine you had just come through Ellis Island and found yourself in turn-­‐of-­‐the-­‐century New York. You use most of your money to pay the first month’s rent on an apartment at 97 Orchard Street, in the Lower East Side. Describe your life and how you would achieve the American Dream.

W I N T E R S E M E S T E R 2 0 1 1

I woke to the strong horn of the large barge we were riding on. We were on our way to the United States of America, the so-called “promised land” which beckoned to us a new life of freedom and opportunity. These concepts and ideals, we were denied in our native countries. Like most unfortunate souls I was riding with in this ship, all of us had come from a life of poverty, oppression, and limbo in our respective states and were full of hope and expectation.

At this point, I would like to impart that I had very keen and observant eyes and could detail almost everything I observed. Our barge contained the most diversified kind and sort of people. Our barge passed through and anchored in several ports and shores of several countries in continental Europe, and due to its large size, had the capacity to admit thousands of people.

The composition of the people in our barge was mostly European but I could note the different nationalities that poured in. I met a lot of these people, and through the simple English we shared, many of them became my friends. They in turn, introduced me to their families, and I grew to appreciate and learn their culture and way of life on our long journey to the “promised land”. I also learned basic expressions and greetings in their language. Apart from their own personal accounts, the newspapers that our fellow immigrants brought in, I learned of their reasons in abandoning the land of their birth, which was both an enlightening and saddening experience for me. I knew that at the end of the journey, when we embarked on American soil, I would never see these newfound friends and their families ever again.

In the inner compartments reserved for wealthier passengers, I met Jews from Russia. I learned that they were migrating to the United States to escape the political

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and religious oppression they were encountering in Czarist Russia. Italy and Ireland, were at that time, suffering from major poverty and famine in their respective lands, and the opportunity of starting life anew in the United States of America posed a welcoming thought. Many Eastern Europeans also sought refuge from years of war, famine, drought, political and religious persecution, and thus included Greeks, Serbs, Slovaks, Poles, Czechs, Hungarians, and also Asians and Africans from Syria, Turkey, and states near Russia.1 Through

pamphlets

and

stories

of

immigrants

themselves

through

correspondence, we have heard of a nation across the continent, a slowly emerging giant, which became a new home for immigrants and now offered its open hands to us.

As I already mentioned, there were so many of us, numbering to thousands.

Although almost everyone looked different with the color of their skin and hair, the language they were speaking, the clothes they were wearing, all but had the same hopes and expectations. Due to our number, one could not even turn around to look back, both literally and metaphorically.2 For the latter, migrating to the United States meant abandoning everything they had. Since most of the immigrants were already suffering from poverty, they had to sell everything they had for the transportation fare, bribes in their respective countries, and processing of their and their families’ immigration3. More so, they needed money to successfully settle in the United States, which as I would impart later, was a requirement considered by the United States government in approving immigration applications.

1 The History Channel. Ellis Island. Accessed on September 2, 2011 from from http://www.history.com/topics/ellis-­‐island 2 Lenhart, Eleanor Kenderine. Interview of an English Immigrant: 1985

3 Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Through America’s Gate: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

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This was my own story, where I sold the little property I owned, and saved enough money to ride this barge into the United States. Fortunately, I had enough money to settle in New York and try my luck in starting a new, progressive life, as promised. To avoid losing my money and possessions to chance and theft, I hid them in the most unusual places where no one would think of looking. This was the biggest gamble in my life, where in leaving the life I had at home, I would be born anew in an alien land. I trusted my instincts, and embarked on a journey of uncertainty and hope.

Ever since the United States announced it was opening its shores and lands to immigration, everyone frantically scrambled to ports and docks to ride barges and ships bound for the United States. As I would detail later in my story, no one had the time, luxury and space to bring all of their prized possessions and belongings along for the journey. Most of the time, we were packed like sardines due to our number. Moreover, being confined in this barge for weeks, or even months on end, which I could not even keep track of, made the stench almost unbearable. 4 Shouts were heard as we arrived in the Hudson River, which was a refreshing experience to depart from the sight of the sea we witnessed for months on end5.

However, most of us had mixed feelings of excitement and fear or apprehension, as we knew the day of reckoning was near. Sadly, the time we arrived was in the spring, which was a busy shipping season. Consequently, as there were no boats to ferry us to Ellis Island, we again had to wait for several weeks and months to ride a boat. When we were finally aboard a ferryboat, the conditions were just as deplorable as our ride

4 Lenhart, Eleanor Kenderine. Interview of an English Immigrant: 1985 5 Cunningham, John T. Ellis Island: Immigration's Shining Center. Arcadia Publishing: 2003

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coming into the United States6. The ferries were overcrowded, and necessities such as food and water were scarce. There were no basic comforts such as toilets, and lifesaving equipment when our vessel would capsize was absent. It was also close to winter when were finally able to board, and many of the passengers contracted fever and frostbite from the cold. Many of us thought we would die, and the only thing that kept us going was the expectation of finally arriving in New York.7 We finally arrived in Ellis Island. Upon seeing the majestic Statue of Liberty, it brought everyone on the ferry to tears and rejoicing. The joy was short-lived however, when the gangplank to Ellis Island was brought down, the rigorous screening process began.

It was a marketplace, flooded with thousands of fellow immigrants. A resounding voice from a man in uniform, was telling us drop our luggage at certain areas and begin joining the lines. The lines of men and women were separate and I saw the fear and anxiety as husbands and wives, and parents and their children were separated. 8 Then there came a harrowing experience as people scrammed to join the lines and some could not understand the commands given by the immigrations officers in uniform. We were then given number tags, which they required us to pin in our clothes. I later learned this was the manifest page and line number that contained our names. The line proceeded to the second floor where we were met by doctors and inspectors. This was, as I guessed correctly, a medical test.9

6 Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Long Wait: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

7 Hamblin, Colin. Ellis Island-­‐-­‐The Official Souvenir Guide. Aramark: 1994.

8 Lenhart, Eleanor Kenderine. Interview of an English Immigrant: 1985 9 Beychock, Katherina. Interview of a Russian Immigrant of 1910, in 1985.

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The doctors in their white uniforms inspected us for any signs of disease, such as wheezing or coughing, or even limps as they asked to walk. Due to the number of prospective immigrants waiting, the doctors only had seconds to check per person. I was checked for several symptoms which they informed me, indicated several major diseases. From the dialogues of the doctors, and where they even used codes marked by chalk marks, they were especially concerned with cholera, scalp and nail fungus, and of course insanity and mental disorders.10 I further learned that the disease that would likely lead to the disapproval for settling as an immigrant was trachoma, a highly contagious diseases that could cause blindness and death. In this connection, I heard a person scream from the pain as an instrument was inserted into his eyes. This was known as the buttonhook, an instrument used by the doctors to turn your eyelid inside out. Shockingly, I saw the doctors use their own fingers and a hairpin to check. I was hustled further into the line, and thankful that I had escaped that dreadful test.11 For the unfortunate who appeared sick and were found to be suffering from some illness, they were taken to the hospital for further medical examination, treatment, their chances of entry to the United States, very dim. Those who could not be cured were forced to return to their point of departure, the expenses to be shouldered by the steamship that brought them here.12 The next step was a mental examination, where we were asked basic questions and asked to solve simple arithmetic puzzles, obviously to test our mental capacity. The

10 Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Line Inspection: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

11 Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Trachona: Inspection Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

12 supra

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next room however was quite a sight. I saw many fellow immigrants shaking in fear, as if it was judgment day. I was told it was the legal inspection, the most crucial part of the immigration process.13 Here, the United States government determined whether or not you were suitable to be a US citizen, or otherwise, a burden to the country. I was asked several rapid questions where I had to concentrate to carefully answer each. As it was a very fast process and render one very nervous, you had to answer 29 questions very intently. I was asked my name, occupation, and civil status. More significantly, they asked me how much money I carried with me. I answered and prepared to bring out the $30 I had but was told that $18-20 dollars was sufficient.14 Asked if I was convicted of a crime, I answered no, which they did not contest as I had a pleasant face and aura.15 In a matter of minutes, I was told I could enter the United States. Unlike the person before me in the line, he was subjected to a legal hearing, and I could see the apprehension in his face. I learned later on that out of the immigrants, 2% would be rejected on account of medical illnesses, mental incapacity, criminal record, or insufficient funds.16 Relieved and speechless, I was asked where in the United States would I settle.

Unlike most of the immigrants here, I did not have acquaintances and relatives in the United States. Hence, I opted to settle in New York. As I was escorted outside the premises, I saw immigrants who were denied entry wailing and crying to the officers trying to fight their case, but it was all too late for those unlucky few. Those tears of the

13 Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Legal Inspection: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

14 Ellis Island Immigration Museum. How much money do you have? Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

15 Hamblin, Colin. Ellis Island-­‐-­‐The Official Souvenir Guide. Aramark: 1994.

16 National Park Service. Ellis Island: 2006.

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unfortunate eventually made Ellis Island known as the Island of Tears. I felt pity for those unlucky ones, because despite all the sacrifices they made, it was all eventually for nothing.17 In a wooden column, just outside the Registry Room, many of the newly accepted immigrants were met by relatives and friends. Unlike the devastating scene I had just witnessed of gloom and sadness, this time, it was a stark contrast of joy, hugs, and kisses as families reunited. In one corner, unescorted women and children were not allowed to leave unless they were accompanied by relatives or the officials were assured of their safety by a letter from the relatives.18 The inspection was finished in a matter of hours, and I could enter the United States of America. Unfortunately for many, they were detained at Ellis Island for weeks on end, due to medical confinement, legal hearing, or the absence of relatives to fetch them. The passageway to the United States, Ellis Island, destroyed many lives and families. On the other hand, it also reconciled families and provided an escape for the immigrants seeking refuge. For me, my life as an American was still beginning.

Of course, I had no inkling where and how to start this life. I was a stranger in an alien land, in a bustling city, which I had no experience of living in. Upon conversing with my fellow immigrants, I learned that the affordable residence to settle in was 97 Orchard Street, in the Lower East Side tenements. Without much choice, it is here I settled.

97 Orchard Street, in the Lower East Side tenements was a housing complex, which had multiple apartments and rooms, surrounded by other tenements. I lived with hundreds of other immigrants, most of them Irish and Germans. It was not of course an

17 Davis, Kenneth. Don't Know Much About American History, HarperTrophy: 2003 ("Isle of Tears" or

"Heartbreak Island," p. 123) 18 supra

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ideal place to live in, but for many, this was better than the conditions prevailing at home. The tenement was substandard in the size, apart from many other problems in comfort and sanitation.19 I paid my rent to my landlord, Mr. Lucas Glockner. Since he was himself an immigrant tailor, Mr. Glockner knew the hardships of being an immigrant and advertised it to fellow immigrants pouring into the city. Number 97 had 20 apartments which each had three rooms. They were arranged four each in a certain floor, where two were in the front and the two were in the rear. In the center was a wooden staircase, which could access the apartments. As I had the most money of the other immigrants, I rented the largest room in the building. However, as I lived alone, so I shared it as a living room to the other families living in the tenement. Just behind were my kitchen and a small bedroom. The bedroom was dim and damp as there were no windows. I shared the 325 square feet flat with another households composed of seven family members, so I barely had a chance to step foot into the kitchen.20 On the bright side, the front room received sunlight directly and had ventilation, which was not the same for the bedroom, as it is completely shut off. After much complaint to the landlord, a casement window was finally opened which made my bedroom so much more tolerable to live in.

Like most tenements, there were no toilets, showers, and baths to bathe in and comfort oneself in. Water was also a problem since it was scarce. The only source of

19 Limmer, Ruth, et al. The Tenement as History and Housing: Overcrowding on the Lower East Side. Accessed September 4, 2011 from http://www.wnet.org/tenement/eagle.html 20 Limmer, Ruth, et al. The Tenement as History and Housing: 97 Orchard Street. Accessed September 4, 2011 from http://www.wnet.org/tenement/eagle.html

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water was through pipes flowing from the Croton aquaduct, which sometimes did not sprout any water for our daily needs.

Heat, on the other hand was not a problem. Each apartment had a kitchen, which was equipped with a fireplace. It could be heated by burning coal or wood. Gas was also available, passing through pipes underneath the tenement. Apart from the fireplace, I also availed of a cooking stove, which the landlord required that we purchase with our own finances. This brought about a culinary revolution in our area. Many of the immigrant families eventually started to cook their cultural and traditional recipes. It initially started as sharing between families and neighbours of their different dishes, but eventually formed into a livelihood for immigrant wives and their daughters, and also cooks. The food was served on pushcarts initially, and when local officials expressed concern over sanitation, permanent stalls or restaurants sprouted. The options of different cuisines were endless. I wanted to try everything!21 I would often to go the East River and experience the breweries of the Germans, which later expanded into beer gardens. The Russian Jews, on the other hand, opened up their own tea parlours and started to serve blintzes and strudel, while nearby Romanian clubs produced goose pastrami. The Italians were also cooking something unique, composed of cheese and tomato pies they called the pizzarelli.

Sanitation in 97 Orchard Street, in the Lower East Side tenements was horrible.

Garbage was left out in front of the house, where the garbage boxes produced a festering mass, producing toxic and poisonous fumes for the residents. It posed health concerns for the residents and started to disgust passers-by and visitors. Again, this

21 Zeigelman, Jane. An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement: 2010.

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was far better than the conditions at home for many immigrants, like myself, and was affordable and bearable.

Going back, the reason why I came to the United States of America was to pursue the American dream, or a life of opportunity and wealth. Despite arriving in the country, this still remained a dream. I knew I had to work hard to accomplish this dream.

As I mentioned earlier, the United States was still an emerging giant. The same was to be said about New York, one of the bustling industrial states of the United States. For its growth and development, it undoubtedly needed the manpower and skills of its immigrant population. The different jobs and opportunities were usually based on race. Like me, many other Italians were keener on taking construction and infrastructure jobs, and contractors, who were fellow Italian brokers that we called “padrones”, usually hired us.

Throughout a few years, I witnessed and became a part of the Italians responsible for the digging of tunnels and sewerage, the building of roads, bridges, and railroads, and started to build what we arrogantly called skyscrapers, tall buildings that would reach the skies.22 We went out every day on the hunt for new jobs, longer and better paying jobs. On the other hand, the Irish were taking menial jobs as they lacked skills, and were often discriminated against due to their lifestyle. Many of the Irish were drunkards, unemployed, and were usually engaged in crime.23 On account of the discrimination they suffered, as they could not already attain employment, the Irish and Russians for example, started to change their names.

22 Clark. Ellis Island Immigrants: Italian, Irish and Polish: Accessed on September 5, 2011 from http://ellis-­‐island-­‐immigration.com/ellis-­‐island-­‐immigrants-­‐italian-­‐irish-­‐and-­‐polish/

23 Baba, Mary. Irish Immigrant Families in Mid-­‐late 19th Century America. Accessed on September 4, 201,1 http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1990/5/90.05.07.x.html

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Though no matter how discriminated I feel, or how hard it gets, I feel that with the time I have spent in New York so far, I already see great things in the next 100 years for the United States and New York City. I can see that the options are limitless and my gamble of coming here, I feel, was worth it.

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Bibliography: Primary sources: Beychock, Katherina. Interview of a Russian Immigrant of 1910, in 1985.

Lenhart, Eleanor Kenderine. Interview of an English Immigrant: 1985 Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Through America’s Gate: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Long Wait: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Line Inspection: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Trachona: Inspection Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Legal Inspection: Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum. How much money do you have? Explanations and Captions of Pictures.

Secondary sources: The History Channel. Ellis Island. Accessed on September 4, 2011 from http://www.history.com/topics/ellis-island Hamblin, Colin. Ellis Island--The Official Souvenir Guide. Aramark: 1994.

National Park Service. Ellis Island: 2006.

Davis, Kenneth. Don't Know Much About American History, HarperTrophy: 2003 ("Isle of Tears" or "Heartbreak Island," p. 123) Limmer, Ruth, et al. The Tenement as History and Housing: Overcrowding on the Lower East Side. Accessed September 4, 2011 from http://www.wnet.org/tenement/eagle.html

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Zeigelman, Jane. An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement: 2010.

Clark. Ellis Island Immigrants: Italian, Irish and Polish: Accessed on September 5, 2011 from http://ellis-island-immigration.com/ellis-island-immigrants-italian-irish-andpolish/ Baba, Mary. Irish Immigrant Families in Mid-late 19th Century America. Accessed on September 4, 201,1 http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1990/5/90.05.07.x.html

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