Immigration
- Brandon Rodriguez
- Los Angles
- CUBA, June-12-1969
- 19
My Parents both emigrated from other countries to the United States. My father came from Cuba, and my mother came from Ecuador. My father came in the mid 1960’s as well as my mother. They both traveled by plane and lived in the city of Queens, New York. My grandfather from my mom’s side was a horse trainer, and in the 1970’s horseracing was a thing for the rich and famous, and was extremely popular. But all the attention, unfortunately also brought the attention of the mob. So when my grand papa’s job gave him the opportunity to come to the United States, he came.
My father’s side of the family was different. My aunt, who is my father’s sister, became well known for her Cuban sandwiches. She opened a store, made money and soon bundled up enough cash to move into the states. She opened up a store in New York City named Little Havana. Because of that success, she helped my whole family from Cuba move into the states. My father began working at the Aqueduct racetrack in the Bronx New York.
Having my parents coming from a different country really gives me an understanding of how hard life really is for ones that don’t have the luxury of being born in a country with freedom. I can say I am grateful and proud that my parents came from a different country. If my parents didn’t emigrate from different countries, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. The way I live my life would be extremely different, and my entire family heritage wouldn’t be the same. Honestly speaking, if my parents didn’t come from a different country, my respect for others of a different heritage would be low. Also, my understanding how hard it is to come from a different back ground would be at zero. I am very proud and honored to be part of a different backround.