Areli Jaimes English 1101 Ms.

Muesing October 14, 2013 Oral Literacy

Among all my family members and all their different stories the one that has affected me the most is that of my fathers. Hes story is not my favorite because he is my father it is more because of his determination to overcome obstacles that came in his life one after another. His story is the greatest motivation I have today and is why I want to share it with the world as well. My father was born in the state of Mexico in the year 1965, he is the second youngest of eight brothers and sisters. His family was not wealthy but they lived a comfortable life of farming and raising cattle. At the early age of three his family was forced to leave the farm and state completely due to a feud with another family, over land that they wanted to take by force. So my fathers family decided to leave and avoid bloodshed. They moved to the neighboring state of Michoacan. They settled in a small village called El Limon where they lived happy and comfortable for the next 13 years. Then came the day when my fathers entire life would change. My father had a brother would quarreled with another man over a woman and who would marry her. The dispute ended with the other mans life being taken and the other family taking revenge by taking my fathers two oldest brothers lives along with his own fathers life. At this time my father was only 13 years old and was forced to flee for his life to the United States.

He arrived in the state of Tennessee during the winter months, and with the nearest relative living in North Carolina he was forced to walk and hitch hike his way to North Carolina. So, my father both walking and hitching rides made it all the way to North Carolina where he attempted to go to school and work by night. He worked any job possible, janitor, bus boy, cleaning bathrooms, basically any place that would pay him for labor. He was unable to stay in school for the simple reason his sister that he was living with was unable to support him on her single income. So he left to Florida with a cousin to work in the orange fields. All the while in his mind knowing and believing that the fields would not be where he would spend the rest of his days working. After a couple years of picking oranges he decided to get his GED and with the goal of actually getting a college education. He always had in his mind that his kids would never in their life have to suffer like he did. They would never know what it was to be hungry or have a life of worries. My father eventually was able to attend a college at Sandhills Community College. He was able to finish a two year degree on time while he kept two full time jobs. From Sandhills my father transferred to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with the goal in mind of becoming a judge with a Mastors of Political Science. Coming to UNC Charlotte was more expensive and my father was forced to work a year and go a year to school, basically alternating every other year to pay for school. All the while my father was an undocumented student at UNC Charlotte. Well there came a time when the school decided to check into his status. Technically, my father was in the United States legally but with a tourist visa which gave him no right to get an education. Well, my father was caught by the university with his lie on paper and he was

reported to the Dean who by law was obligated to be reported to Immigration Customs Enforcement, or ICE. My father was detained by ICE and was brought in front an agent that literally had his entire life and future in his hands. That this agents decision would affect my fathers life forever and the family he later would have. The agent much to my fathers surprise allowed him to stay in school and study but, this time with a legal student visa with no worries any more about being caught and looking over his shoulder. After this close call my father went on to do his political science masters at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. From there my father was able to finish his degree and earn that always coveted dream degree that he worked so hard since the age of thirteen to obtain. Now a federal agent in the United States government my father is living a comfortable life that he always envisioned. However, not just for himself, but for his family to live a comfortable worry free life. He is now five years from retiring from his job with a full benefit package that to him seems like the greatest thing. From the clothes on his back and no money my father went on to become what every immigrant wants, to be successful and have that piece of the American dream. However, to my father his goals are not all accomplished yet, his next item on his list is to run for Congress and knowing him how he has accomplished everything he wants, I truly believe him. Along, with this story that is told countless times among my family I decided to use a song that a famous Mexican singer wrote called Cancion Para el Inmigrante by Juan Pablo Chavez. The song translates to, Song for the Immigrant. The song portrays what not just my father but countless other people like him struggle to obtain the American dream. A song about the endless struggles that parents put themselves through to make a better life for their kids.

In this paper I have told the story of my father and basically the story of my family. The story that to us means the most of all, and which motivates me day to day. But, most importantly with this paper and life story it is not just unique to my father. There are many others like him of all races and backgrounds, which to this day are still chasing the dream. My father was one of the lucky ones to make it and reach his goals, and with this story whoever reads it I hope gains more awareness of the oral stories of people and the struggles some have to go through to survive.