Below you will find narratives about people coming to California from Europe.  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. 

​

This interview is of Martin Kazinski and was conducted on September 16, 2016 by Casper Kazinski and Kevin Huang, two ninth graders at Oakland Tech. Martin K. is the father of Casper K. The interview took at the Oakland Tech library. Martin was born in Poland and moved to the United States in 1980. He came here because he is a very curious person and he wanted to explore. When he went back to Poland he brought his wife to the US to live there. He went to SF Community College and became a graphic artist. This narrative shows readers how people who immigrated to America aren trying to do bad. They are trying to secure a better future for themselves and their family and are trying just to have a better life here in general.

​

This interview of Michael Buckland was conducted on September 17, 2016 by Devon Dela Cruz and Qadir Scott, both ninth graders at Oakland Technical High School. Michael Buckland is Devon Dela Cruz’s grandfather. The interview took place over the phone. Michael Buckland was born in England, and moved to California in 1972. He came because he was seeking a more interesting, and better paid job. Once in California, he became a professor at University of California Berkeley, and is now retired. This narrative subverts the stereotype that immigrants are “deadweight,” and are fleeing violence, through the fact that immigrants like Michael Buckland are making changes in the community and helping others.

​

The interview of Monika was conducted on Sep. 16 2016 over a phone call made by three freshman Tech students. Monika immigrated from Germany. She stayed in California twice before she decided to stay for good.  She chose to immigrate to America in hope of better job opportunities. Monika went through a series of culture shocks and even recognized stereotypes that she didn't have to suffer through.

​

This interview Aileen Murphy was conducted on 9/21/16 by Trish Le and Jonathan Wang, two 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Aileen is a teacher in Oakland. The interview took place at the high school in Oakland where Aileen works. Aileen was born a small town in Ireland, and moved to California in 1999. She came because America needed teachers and she really wanted to come to America for new opportunities. Once in California, she got a job teaching at a school in Oakland. This narrative subverts the stereotype that immigrants come to America to commit crimes because Aileen came to America to do good for others.

​

This interview of Harry Pasternak was conducted on September 16, 2016 by Chaoneng Tan and Thomas Leth, 9th graders at Oakland Technical High School. The interview Took Place at school in Mr. Pasternak´s room TP8. Harry was born in Germany, Wald Staadt and moved to the US at the age of 4. He came to america because his parents wanted to be politically accepted here. He had a rough couple of days upon arrival but eventually he became a teacher.

​

This interview of Anna Nilsson was conducted on September 16, 2016 by Maya and Stellena, 9th graders at Oakland Tech. Anna Nilsson is Maya’s mom. The interview took place at Oakland Tech in room A1. Anna Nilsson was born in the south of Sweden, and moved to California when she was twenty five. She came to the US because she was traveling around with friends, and California  was a place she wanted to stop at. This narrative subverts the stereotype that immigrants are bad for our country, because they just want a regular life. Our interviewee didn't even think she was going to stay, she just was traveling, and then fell in love and decided it was an ok place to raise a family.