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My Birthday!
I am Xiang Lu. I was born in Zhapu, China. My father, Wu, died when I was just 10 years old. My mother, Mei, was struggling. She was trying to single-handedly raise a family of 3. My two little brothers, Huang and Zhen, and my little sister, Jia, all were starving, so I became the man of the house at the age of 15. Then, my mother started to earn some money, and I didn't need to work. Things were getting bad in China, though, so I needed to leave. I left for America, the land of opportunity. -
Angel Island
Angel Island I ride in a boat for about 5 days. Eventually, I see the coast of America. It is a vast land. Unfortunately, we don't get to the coast. We stop at this island off of the coast. I think it is called Angel Island. It is a dirty, little island. I really don't like it, but if I can get to America from here, I will stay. -
Inspections
We get shoved inside, where many Americans start to inspect us. they ask us if we have any diseases, and they check to make sure we are healthy. Then, I think I will get to leave, but an inspector stops me. He asks me a whole bunch of questions, like "Where did you come from?" or "Why are you here?" I answer them, and he lets me go, but I can't leave the island. I am forced to stay here, for who knows how long? -
Freedom?
After about three weeks, I am set free from the horrid Angel Island. A whole group of immigrants, including me, get on a boat, and head towards the coast. I see what they call the city of San Fransisco, and the bay it has. It is beautiful. We dock at San Fransisco, and I head off. Eventually, I find a house, but it is more like a shack. Barely anyone will sell to me, because I am Chinese. I guess that's the price I am willing to pay, but is this American dream really worth it? -
Working? More Like Slavery!
Transcontinental RailroadI have lived in America for about 13 years, and the Civil War is going on. I am still being mistreated. I am barely getting enough money to buy food, but I manage. Then, I here about a job opening for work on, what they call, the Transontinental Railroad. I sign up, and I am allowed to keep my job! We start to work, and I see why. It is extremely hard, and we barely get breaks. One man was blowing up the rock, and he was obliterated. I protested for more money. I was kicked out onto the curb. -
China-Bound
I have been alone for the past 20 years in America. Everyday, I get made fun of, and also get beat up. Life in America isn't what I thought it would be. I thought it was the Land of Opportunity, but it is more like the Land of Judegment. I am struggling to make a living, barely getting by. Somedays, I wish that I wasn't Chinese, so then I could live a normal life. However, I am Chinese, and I am proud of my country. I am leaving to go back to China. I may be back, but who knows?
