Below you will find narratives about people coming to California from Asia.  We hope you enjoy these narratives.  As you read them, please consider how these narratives subvert anti-immigrant narratives that are widespread in our society today. 

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This interview of J.N was conducted on September 22 by Joshy and Kandace, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. The interview took place at Joshy’s dad, J.N’s home. J.N was born in Battambang, Cambodia and moved to the United States in 1979. He left Cambodia with his family as a teenager seeking for a better life. His goal is for his son (Joshy) to have a good education and be successful. It is thought that immigrants leave their home countries to become ‘dead weight’ in other countries but this narrative shows the purpose of leaving their countries.

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This interview of Marilou Sacramento was conducted on September 18th, 2016 by Marlon Sacramento and Julian Garrett, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Marilou is Marlon’s mother. The interview took place on Marilou’s porch. Marilou was born in the Philippines on December 4th, 1969 and moved to California in 2002 after her husband, Marlon’s dad, Arnel Sacramento, was offered a job. Marilou came to help Arnel raise their family, unfortunately, leaving some children behind. This narrative subverts the stereotype that all immigrants are either illegal, or have bad intentions upon coming to America.

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This interview of Edward was conducted on September 15, 2016 by Miles and Sally, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Edward is Miles’ father. The interview took place in their home. Edward was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and immigrated to the U.S in 1979 along with his parents at the age of 14. He moved to California to escape a poorly run government in Taiwan. This narrative subverts the stereotype that immigrants are “dead weight” because it describes how essential they are to this country’s economy and development.

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This interview of Lindawati Mueller was conducted on September 16, 2016 by Cameron Park and Megan Ma, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Lindawati Mueller is Cameron’s neighbor. The interview took place at Lindawati’s house. Lindawati was born in Medan, Indonesia, and moved to California when she was sixteen. She came because of educational opportunities. Once in California, she went to college and got her undergraduate and graduate degree. She then got a job and raised a family. This narrative subverts the stereotype that immigrants are “dead weight” because it shows how Lindawati, an immigrant, achieved high levels of education, and was a great mother and member of the community.

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This interview of H.L was conducted on  September 15, 2016 by Camerynne Le and Nikko Salinas, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. H.L is Camerynne’s friend. The interview took place at a coffee shop. H.L was born in Cambodia, and moved to California when he was 10. He came because his family wanted to escape the Khmer Rouge. Once in California, he started school. This narrative subverts the stereotypes that immigrants are not hard working.

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This interview of Anna Chan was conducted on September 15, 2016 by Kalliyan Sar and Maiah Jacobs, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Anna Chan is Kalliyan’s aunt. The interview took place outside of Oakland Technical High School. Anna immigrated from Hong Kong, China along with her parents and siblings and moved to California in 1978. She came because of family and was worried there would be no one to care for her grandparents when they grow old. Once in California, she settled and began her new life, adjusting to her new surroundings. This narrative subverts the stereotypes that immigrants are criminals in that Anna Chan came to California to look out for her family and make sure nothing bad happens to them.

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This interview of Nico Chen was conducted on  by Javonte Francis  and the questions were helped determined by Jose Morga, both 9th grade students attending Oakland Technical High School. Nico Chen was Javonte 8th grade English teacher. Nico Chen was born in Taiwan, from Kaohsiung, which is the second largest city in Taiwan and moved to California when he was five years old in the year of 1989. Nico Chen has experienced many racial stereotypes from his teachers through his school journey. He came to California because his mom wanted to finish school and own her music business. After many obstacles he has learned to overcome racial stereotypes and push forward and now he is currently an English teacher at a school that was made for newcomers.

 

This interview of Quynh Vo was conducted on September 19, 2016 by Phu Vo and Delaney Kreber-Mapp, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Quynh is Phu’s sister. The interview took place at Oakland Tech. Quynh was born in Hue, Vietnam and moved to Oakland in 2007. She came to Oakland because her parents wanted to have a better life. Once in California, she went to Franklin Elementary School and is now a Senior at Oakland Tech. Her goal is to go to college and become a psychiatrist. 

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This interview of Jaden Wu was conducted on September 18, 2016 and the follow up interview on September 25, 2016 by Yong Wang Chen, Edna Liang, and Jenny Nguyen, 9th graders at Oakland Technical High School. Jaden Wu is one of our peers. The interview took place on the field at Oakland Tech. Jaden was born in China, and moved to California in the second grade (2009). His parents came in hopes of better education for Jaden. Once in California, his parents worked in a restaurant while Jaden went to school. This narrative subverts the stereotype that immigrants aren’t hard working because when his parents came here, they worked hard for their son to get an education and Jaden worked hard to assimilate to the American ways and learn English so he could do well in school.

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This interview  of YongWang Chen was conducted on September 16, 2016 by Parker Lew, Jaden Wu, and Vidal Duran, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Yong is our classmate.The interview took place at Oakland Tech. Yong was born in China and moved to California in 2011. He came because of the education and also the government in his country is bad. Once in California they settle down and Yong went to school and his parents went to work. This narrative subverts the stereotype that immigrants are not smart and they are lazy.  The narrative also subverts the stereotype that immigrants are a waste of space for the country because many people think immigrants are going to take away their jobs.