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Angel Island Immigration Station
Today my mother and I arrived at the Angel island immigrant station. We came to America because my father died and my mother couldn't find work. Now we are here, in this hot and crowded room with no idea what to do or where to go. Somehow, we ended up in a small room around a corner where we were told to sit and wait to be inspected. Many other Chinese families are here too. I look around and I can see my emotions in the faces of other s, fear and confusion. -
Our Tenement House
We finally got out of the immigration station today, it has been over a week! My mother was so happy she practically skipped out of the room, until we reached our house. We live in a place secluded from the wealthy people and business men. It is crowded and Mother told me it's dangerous too. Our room is windowless, hot, and smells of sweat and mold. Everyones laundry is hanging out of their windows over a dark alley to dry. I hate it here already. -
Clothing Factories
Today my mother went off to her new job, she works at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. I went with her, as far as I was allowed, and then turned back. As I made my way back home, I saw another clothing factory with many other children working in it. I knew that even with my mother working, we weren't going to make much money, so that was what led me to apply there. The owner doesn't seem to like me, he decided to pay me less because I am Chinese. I am only going to make 15 cents a day, but I de -
My New Job
Today I started my job and it is really hard. I have to watch the thread going into the machine and make sure they don't get tangled, and I have to replace the spools whenever they run out. It doesn't sound hard, but I can barely reach the machines, they work really fast, and it is really hot and stuffy. What makes it worse is nobody will pay any attention to me because I am Chinese. They ignore me except for an occasional snort in my direction. To get back at them, I don't respond to their snor -
Factory Fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory burned down today. Nobody knows how it started, but it happened and it killed my mother. She was on the ninth floor and there was no room for her on the elevator. Without a fire escape system, she was trapped. I don't know what to do now. I am too sad to work and I don't have any family here in America. I can't afford to go back to China, and without my mother here I can't afford even to keep our disgusting tenement home. I will find a way to survive, I have to.
