Dear family,
As I write this letter, I can think only of your smiling faces and the time until I’m able to see them again. I miss each and every one of you to the fullest extent. I keep a picture of our family in the breast pocket of my jacket, during the cold nights and long work days, I often find myself looking at it. I remind myself of what I’m working for and how important this new start is. It is said that America is a land of opportunity; I hope I can find enough of it to bring you all here and provide for you.
Much has remained constant since the last time I wrote. I am still working at the production plant. It is tedious work and I find myself becoming tired on the long days, but regardless I continue on. Recently my foreman has allowed me to work on Saturdays now. He is aware that I have no family in America, and I do not need the time to spend at home. The extra day is tiring, but I know it will be worth it. I keep pay from Saturdays seperate from my standard wage. I’m saving it so we may spend it on activities together as a family. The cinema is very popular here in America and I hope to take us all to see many films one day. Every year there is a small fair that runs throughout the town. I know Emi and Milek would enjoy the food and sweets from the fair very much.
As I spend more time in this country, I am beginning to notice more things. As I look around in the production plant, I notice that there are many others like me, stuck in jobs they do not enjoy, working for companies they do not support. But unlike me, they are there by choice. Yesterday I spoke to one of the workers at the shop, Alek. He manages the accounts for the plant. Alek explained how it was a very prestigious job, despite how it appeared. He claimed that he had studied for four years before starting work in the plant. It was only after 8 years of work that he was promoted. I asked him how he enjoyed his work, the response surprised me. Alek said that he despised his work. Everyday he dreaded coming into work, yet everyday he showed up, looking forward to only his pay. In some ways, I too am like Alek, but in many ways I am different. I work at this plant because it was the only opening I could find. I work here out of necessity, for myself and for you; my family. Alek works here out of his own choice. He is a very smart man, much more educated than myself. He could have a number of different jobs if he wanted, yet he stays at the plant for only the money. I pray every night that I may follow a different path than Alek, but for right now I must stay with this one.
Sadly, Alek is not the only one who is having troubles at the plant either. There are several other workers in the plant who are often ridiculed or taunted, not because of the quality of their work, but simply because of their origin. Charles is a black man, born and raised in America, yet the other workers treat him so different. I spoke to him about this and he told me it’s always been this way and he doesn’t expect it to change. A fellow worker, Hans, has experienced similar issues. Hans, like me, immigrated to America after the war to find a better life, but the others call him names and make fun of how he talks. In times like these I am thankful my Mother worked so hard to teach me English as a child. Despite this, I have also heard jokes being made about our country and the people in it. This saddens me deeply. There is discrimination, and there is no shame about it. I hope when you all come here that you may be kind to everyone you meet, and teach others to do the same.
Please write back as soon as you can. I miss you all and I look forward to seeing you again.
-Dad
As I write this letter, I can think only of your smiling faces and the time until I’m able to see them again. I miss each and every one of you to the fullest extent. I keep a picture of our family in the breast pocket of my jacket, during the cold nights and long work days, I often find myself looking at it. I remind myself of what I’m working for and how important this new start is. It is said that America is a land of opportunity; I hope I can find enough of it to bring you all here and provide for you.
Much has remained constant since the last time I wrote. I am still working at the production plant. It is tedious work and I find myself becoming tired on the long days, but regardless I continue on. Recently my foreman has allowed me to work on Saturdays now. He is aware that I have no family in America, and I do not need the time to spend at home. The extra day is tiring, but I know it will be worth it. I keep pay from Saturdays seperate from my standard wage. I’m saving it so we may spend it on activities together as a family. The cinema is very popular here in America and I hope to take us all to see many films one day. Every year there is a small fair that runs throughout the town. I know Emi and Milek would enjoy the food and sweets from the fair very much.
As I spend more time in this country, I am beginning to notice more things. As I look around in the production plant, I notice that there are many others like me, stuck in jobs they do not enjoy, working for companies they do not support. But unlike me, they are there by choice. Yesterday I spoke to one of the workers at the shop, Alek. He manages the accounts for the plant. Alek explained how it was a very prestigious job, despite how it appeared. He claimed that he had studied for four years before starting work in the plant. It was only after 8 years of work that he was promoted. I asked him how he enjoyed his work, the response surprised me. Alek said that he despised his work. Everyday he dreaded coming into work, yet everyday he showed up, looking forward to only his pay. In some ways, I too am like Alek, but in many ways I am different. I work at this plant because it was the only opening I could find. I work here out of necessity, for myself and for you; my family. Alek works here out of his own choice. He is a very smart man, much more educated than myself. He could have a number of different jobs if he wanted, yet he stays at the plant for only the money. I pray every night that I may follow a different path than Alek, but for right now I must stay with this one.
Sadly, Alek is not the only one who is having troubles at the plant either. There are several other workers in the plant who are often ridiculed or taunted, not because of the quality of their work, but simply because of their origin. Charles is a black man, born and raised in America, yet the other workers treat him so different. I spoke to him about this and he told me it’s always been this way and he doesn’t expect it to change. A fellow worker, Hans, has experienced similar issues. Hans, like me, immigrated to America after the war to find a better life, but the others call him names and make fun of how he talks. In times like these I am thankful my Mother worked so hard to teach me English as a child. Despite this, I have also heard jokes being made about our country and the people in it. This saddens me deeply. There is discrimination, and there is no shame about it. I hope when you all come here that you may be kind to everyone you meet, and teach others to do the same.
Please write back as soon as you can. I miss you all and I look forward to seeing you again.
-Dad