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Growing Up
I'm writing this autobiography to inform the many readers about my experience traveling from China to America. I was born on April 9, 1875 in southwest China. My family was always very poor, we grew rice and any other food we could afford. We almost never had enough to eat, by the time I turned 19 I was ready to move on and experience something else. I had heard of the wonderful oppurtunities in America and wanted to give it a try. I hoped I would make enough money to support me and my family. -
Traveling to America
At first I was scared by my bold desicion to go to another country, alone. I conquered my fear and boarded the ship anyways. The ship was heavily crowded with Chinese immigrants just like me. We all waited anxiously to arrive at Angel Island. Finally a few people sighted the long sought after scene of Angel Island. I walked calmly down to American soil and headed for inspections. We were treated very poorly and got pushed around all the time. I didn't know what to expect,I just waited. -
Inspections
As I entered the building crowds of Chinese were forced into lines to go through examinations.I had made it through the first few tests, then the final one came. There was some confusion and I was sent into a small room. They asked tons of questions that I had trouble answering. detainment<ahref='http://www.kqed.org/w/pacificlink/history/angelisland/' > room </a>with many others. I didn't know what was happening and nobody answered my questions. I wasn't sure what to think of America now. -
Waiting
We waited for several days in the detainment room . I wanted some kind of answer to why we had to wait. Finally, they guided me to another small room where I was questioned again. Then the time came when I was allowed to live and work in the United States of America. I bet I was the happiest person in that building that day. Now I had to find work and a place to live. -
Settling In My New Homeland
I found a sign while walking down the street a few days later, it was looking for workers in a gold mine. I was a hardworker and willing to take a much cheaper pay then most Americans.. I was accepted for the job a day later. It was hard work, but totally worth it. I was earning much more then what I would have ever earned back in China. We worked extremely long hours in horrible conditions just to have a shot at a bright future. This was my only way out of poverty and I was willing to accept it -
What Life Was Like
I heard about one of the Chinese miners, my friend, died from a fatal explosion. I was devestated because he was one of my only friends here in this new country. I knew going here was an extreme risk as a young Chinese man. We are not treated like Americans here. We are mistreated because we accept lower wages then them. I don't care, as long as I have enough money for myself here and enough to send back to my family. So far, America is my only way to sucess and I am staying here for now.
