-
Birth
My name is Li Wung. I was born in a small village in China. I have two brothers and one sister. My dad went over to America two years after I was born. My family and I grow rice for a living, I don't want to grow rice I want to make a differnece. That is why I'm going to America. I'm writing this to pass to my children so they don't forget the struggles we had to face to get here. -
Angel Island
When I arrived they checked me for any signs of disease and then I was shown to my living quarters. There was many immigrants in this room and not a lot of beds. I didn't feel very welcomed. I was talking to one of the other Chinese immigrants here and she said that she had been here for five months. I hope I don't stay that long. -
Being Freed
I stayed at Angel Island for three months. I was lucky I got out that soon. It was dirty there and we barely had anything to eat. I was always hunger. The officers were cruel to us. They beat many people, even the women. I was scared of them. The whites are very racist. I was let out and my father took me to my new home In San Francisco. When my dad got me I couldn't call him "dad" because of some law. America was cruel to us, I don't know why though. -
My Night at the Jail House
Last night I was in jail; it was dirty and I didn't even commit a crime! I stayed ove night until my dad got me out. When dad asked the police what I did the couldn't even give him an explaination. I was arrested for nothing! I had my mug shot taken while I was there. I stayed in a cell with bad people. I was scared and lost. I'm glad I'm out now. -
New Life
I live with a couple other Chinese folks. They're nice unlike the whites. I work on building skyscrapers. It's very dangerous; a man yesterday fell from five stories and died. He was two years older than me. I'm paid very little for working sun up to sun down. I haven't had much success here, but I like it better here. I know I have to work hard to get anywhere and I like that.
