Immigrant Journal

Immigrant Journal

Abstract
Many different groups have immigrated to the United States. This has made the United States one of the most culturally diverse countries in America. Although I am a third generation born in America my family history originates in the southern part of Italy. Both my parents are descendants of southern Italian families. Although it was not a group that was specified in the text Italian Americans are a subordinate group that came to America primarily between 1876 and 1924. My journal entry will be of an Italian immigrant in the early 1900’s.

Journal
It is 1914 and I have recently arrived in America. My small town near the bay in Southern Italy along with many of the surrounding towns was devastated by outbreaks of malaria. I spent most of my income just trying to feed myself to fight off the disease. I would not of been able to survive much longer if I did not leave. I followed the promise of a better life in the United States and put together all the money I can to travel by ship to America. I was lucky my migration to the United States was voluntary. It was a belief that I could make a better life for me and my family that brought me to this country. As with most of the immigrants I came through Ellis Island and did not have the funds to move around far from my arrival. I decided to stay in New York and take up in an area known as “Little Italy” because of the influx of Italian immigrants. Many other Italian immigrants continued on to other locations but stayed in proximity to the arrival Port of Ellis Island. I know many fellow immigrants traveled to Pennsylvania and made a life for themselves there. New York is a blossoming area with constant construction and expansion. I do as much as I can to hide my ancestry. I work to lose my accent and polish my English so that I can assimilate into the culture. I will never lose the importance of my core beliefs but I understand that I must minimize the differences between myself and American society. I am a...

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