The Chapter on Migration was particularly interesting to me, because I learned a lot about why people migrate. When I was a younger student, I was taught that people from all over the world wanted to come to America because it was the greatest country in the world. While I believe America is great, I see other perspectives now. Perspectives that show it's not only America's pull factors that cause people to migrate here, but how the country they live in may possess certain push factors which cause them to leave. They come to America seeking cultural and/or political freedom. They come in hope of a new life for themselves and their future families.
A personal example came to mind after reading the section on Emigrants from Cuba (page 93 of the text). The people of Cuba fled in the mid 1900's due to the power of Fidel Castro. My partner and his family are Cuban, and I recall his grandmother telling me her story of how her and her husband left Cuba in 1962, coming to America seeking political asylum. My partner's father was only 8 years old at the time. The only thing they were allowed to bring with them were the clothes on their back. All other material possessions remained in Cuba in the custody of the Cuban Government.
They were given food that was not recognizable to them and spoke no English. Living in Miami, they were eventually able to connect with other people from Cuba. As a newly formed community, they learned their way in this country and created new lives. Cultural and political freedoms were the driving forces behind their move with both push and pull factors involved.
Within the past year, both of my partner's grandparents passed away, but they made a great life for themselves and their family here in America.
- John
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