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Birth and Early Childhood
My name is Chang Yoa. Life was very rough as a child living in China. My family was extremely poor. We lived in a tiny shack that we built by ourselves out of bamboo sticks and old blankets. We were rice farmers for one family, but we were soon fired. Now we are depressed with no money. We are moving to America because we need new money and jobs. Also, we want to see how much gold is left from the gold rush, and to have religious freedom for ourselves. -
Arriving at Angel Island
It is very hot here. We have been cramped in a boat for 2 weeks, and I am sick of it, Everythingconfuses me here in San Francisco. Nobody speaks Chinese except for some who traveled with us.I only came here with my father, mother, and 2 brothers and sisters. First, we went through inspection, which took a while becuase of all the other immigrants. Then, We all passed, and exchanged our currency to the dollar. I cannot wait for my father to get a job so that we can finally buy our beautiful home! -
Our New Home and Jobs
My father has taken on a job of farming. I help him somtimes, but it is very hard to harvest corn in the sweltering heat of June. Father works for a nice American man named Bob. Even my mother got a factory job! Bob helped her apply for it. Our home is one story and is just outside of San Francisco. However, we recently got robbed! All of our china dishes are gone, as well as our sofa. Father even got beaten by a white man.Here in America, some of the people are very racist and rude! -
New Job and New Wife outside of San Francisco
My father has recently retired. I took over for my father!That is very beneficial for me because I recently got married to my new wonderful wife. Now I can make some money for our new family. My mother is still working in the factory, but it isn't going too well. She was recently beaten up by a white man because of her race. Now she is beaing treated for facial injuries at a hospital. My parents are still living in their house, but my wife and I moved. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Our family has been extremely aggrivated lately. According to the Chinese Exclusion, we have been forced out of America. The Americans fear that others will not have enough jobs to get by. Wow! As an immigrant, I feel that I don't have the right to leave. I want my religious freedom and money! I even got fired from my job! My boss thought that since everyone was excluding Chinese people, he had to as well. -
The Ride Home and Fight for Religious Freedom
We boarded our ship back to China. I admit that I will miss America.I will miss the religious freedom, new technology, and new job opportunities.When I got home after 2 weeks on a boat, my whole family started to convince everyone to allow religious freedom. However, our ruler became very angry with us, and we were all sent to jail. I feel very alone, and am sick.I don't think I can last much longer here. They told us that we have been left to die here.
