Interview Assignment

I was looking forward to doing this assignment on my friend who is from Turkey. But her schedule was very busy, so I did not get a chance to interview her. I resorted to interviewing my mother. I already know my mother's story, but by doing this assignment, I can share her story with others. Overall, I think the assignment was a good way to help us open our minds, and give us the opportunity to hear some really interesting stories. The assignment was very engaging and insightful. I even drew some conclusions of my own while listening to the answers my mother gave me. Although her story may not be viewed as "cool" or interesting to others, it definitely contributes to my family history.

Unit Two - Border

I thought that this unit was very interesting; I enjoyed the quotes by Gloria Anzaldua. One of her quotes that stuck out to me the most, was one describing borders as a hemorrhage that flows before a scab can actually form; one can always feel the pain it caused. When my professor explained the quote to us, then related it to some areas in Toronto, I found it really interesting and true. My professor also mentioned third world areas and first world areas in Toronto. She said that some third world areas have first worlds in them, and some first world areas have third worlds. She gave us two examples:

Third World Country with a First World Area

• There are places in Africa that are really bad; people are living in poverty and suffering. They have no food, money, or education. But, right beside those areas, there are people living as if those issues do not exist. The have big houses, nice cars, and a lot of money. This is an example of a third world country with a first world area because the environment that she is speaking of is typically bad, and a lot of people live in poverty. But, there are a few people who live there and have a ton of money, and do not have to endure the suffering that the poor people have to.

First World Country with a Third World Area

• Canada is considered to be a first world country, but it does have some "bad" areas. Toronto is Ontario's capital, and some areas there would be considered "ghetto" or "bad". Like Regent Park for example. Canada is a nice place to live, but Regent Park is an area that has a lot of poverty; even generations of poverty. There are poor Blacks, poor Whites, poor Orientals, etc. There are people who used to have middle to high class socio-economic statuses while in their other countries, but come to Canada, and end up living in a place like Regent Park.

Also, there is a place called Cabbage Town right beside Regent Park, and it had plenty of nice Victorian style houses that are all side by side. So it is interesting to see that a "ghetto" area can be right beside an upscale area, and still have people struggling and suffering.

Unit One - Leaving

I think that people leave their countries of origin for all sorts of reasons. They could leave because of famine, war, better employment opportunities, to be with their families, to start a new life, etc. There is usually a reason for most departures. As mentioned in my introduction, my father left for better job opportunities; and I think he is happy with the decision he made (although he travels back to Jamaica very often). I do not think my mother regrets it because she has established herself here, and seems to enjoy living in Canada. Some challenges that people could face when they migrate are:

• being homesick
• unemployment
• poverty
• discrimination

I think migration can create vital transformations in society and culture by allowing people to be more open-minded. I mean that in the sense that society will learn to accept and embrace other cultures, while the immigrants' cultures can expand because they are now living in a new place; they can adapt to their new environment by learning new practices.

I particularly enjoyed the reading on the "History of Migration" because I too believe that it is important to know where one's family came from, and why they left. If I did not know where my family came from, I would feel like a piece of me is missing; I would feel as if I did not have a real identity. Knowing why your family left their country of origin can be very informative. It can teach you about that country's history, and what is going on there today. It can also inform you on how they resolved past issues (if they have been resolved).

Introduction

My name is Nicollette, and I am currently in the Early Childhood Education program at Humber College. I am 20 years old, and I was born and raised in Canada. My parents migrated here from Jamaica in the late 1970s. My father came here first, and lived in Nova Scotia for a while. Then he moved to Ontario, and sent for my mom to come live with him. My dad came to live in Ontario because he had other family members here, and he also wanted to look for better employment opportunities. My mom originally wanted to move to Baltimore because that is where most of her siblings were living. But because she married my father, she had to come to Ontario.