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Cheng Wei's Birth
When I was born, my family hated me. I wasn't meant to be born, and my arrival was right at the time of my family's lowest point. We used to be a family of honor and royalty, but my Great-great-great grandfather had to steal from the Emperor and now we live in shame. We are not only shameful, but poor. We haven't any money, and I only inflated the problem. Even since I was born, I've dreamed of leaving... -
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Cheng Wei's Life
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From Shantou to San Fransisco
Angel Island InfoToday is the day that I've been waiting for all my life. I finally have saved up enough money to travel to the United States, and I've decided to leave my family forever. I hate my home. I've heard that the trip can be difficult, but it has to be better than hearing how I am a waste to the world and mean nothing. I plan to leave on a ship, after sneaking out of my home. After that, my fate is unknown. -
Angel Island At Last
Angel Island InfoThe journy wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, since it was relatively smooth and ineventful. As soon as we got to Angel Island, I knew my life would be better. I breezed through the health inspections, and when I got to the legal portion I was glad my name was simple, because other chinese changed their names because they are hard to pronounce. I was handed a paper and told that I can leave. I felt myself floating; I'm a U.S. citizen! -
Making my mark on America
for the past year I have been barely scraping by, working scrap jobs and earning next to nothing. But a few months back I heard word of a brand new job opportunity in the Midwest. They're building a railroad! And I'm helping! It's difficult work, but I feel satisfied in making a living. It's also dangerous, because I'm assisting in the crossing of the Rocky mountains. It feels amazing to finally be my own man. -
The end of the Road
It's been 28 years since I've crossed the Pacific Ocean to come to America, and I's lived a great life since then. Although there were a few incidents caused by racial tendencies, I have lived prosperous life and hold no grudges. Now I will die. I have contracted tuberculosis and am dying. I am proud to be an American.
