Letter+of+Immigration

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  __ Immigration __  Dear Mom,  My own family and many other families have been pushed out of Ireland by religious conflicts, lack of political autonomy and dire economic conditions. I am in America by the promise of land ownership and greater religious freedom. I left Ireland on a ship from Europe and I’m in Philadelphia at this moment. As for working us Irish immigrants often entered workforce at the bottom of the occupational ladder and took on the dangerous jobs that were often avoided by other workers. I on the other hand became a chambermaid. My typical day is making beds, and cleaning rooms throughout the hotel. It was hard to find a job because America has a saying “Let Negroes be servants, and if not Negroes, let Irishmen fill their place…” The blacks hated the Irish and it was a mutual feeling. I was very fortunate to find a job that doesn’t risk my life.  Life in America is better than Ireland but it still is very difficult to live in. I like America because I found religious freedom, jobs that are hard work, but back in Ireland they had jobs that were little pay. Ireland was one of the poorest parts in the western. I also found better food; we don’t have to eat potatoes all the time! This was the Journey of hope. Some obstacles in my life are we are the poorest of the poor and are forced to live in cellars and shanties. I live in an attic, a make do home for now. Most places lack sewage and running water, which made next to impossible to live. My clothes are either too small, too big, or are out of style and we Irish are portrayed as ape-like leprechauns. We are also willing to work for low wages because of religious conflict. The large majority of English-American Protestants who, not so long before, were immigrants themselves also ridicule our Catholic beliefs. This caused verbal attacks and often led to mob violence in Philadelphia. I really think you should come here to Philadelphia. It’s getting better to live here and you will never have to eat another potato again. Just make sure you are ready to make that commitment, and handle the pressure once you get over here. It takes awhile to adjust to the new home, in the end I know I made the best decision for myself. I hope you will come, and I miss you.   By: Carissa Holt

 

