Transforming Today's World Magazine Volume 2 Issue 6 | Page 43

resident of New York City and lived the horror of 9/11. Unless you were there, you simply can’t imagine.” “When I came to America I became a naturalized citizen. That was the way it was done then. I was naturalized because my mother had already become a citizen. We both went through the process that was set forth at that time. But, most importantly, we participated; we were so proud of being in this country and wanted to give back to our country and community. Even though we practiced many of the traditions of our heritage and our previous culture, we gratefully embraced America for all that it offered us.” “I am not a racist by any means and have no problem with those who come into this country legally, follow the law, and become a contributing member of society. But I feel angered, overwhelmed and abused by the influx of undocumented immigrants who come to one of the ‘sanctuary’ cities, of which New York is one. Literally millions flock to various cities around this country. There are no requirements that they learn English, there is no control over what type of illnesses might be coming into our country, and no emphasis is placed on required education or assimilation. In my opinion, this is happening because current laws are clearly not being enforced. From Washington on down, I feel we have a broken government. Employers who employ illegal workers, should, according to our laws, be fined. But they are not. The laws seem to be unenforceable.” fer to his college, which I would have done.” “Unfortunately…or fortunately, a man from New York had seen me perform in Michigan and told my mother I needed to go to New York. He had a daughter in the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. My mother was very determined that at least one of her daughters would make it in music. So, I went to New York City and studied. I was very young, only 17 years old, but I felt very safe there. I would ride the subway alone and it was a very different life than it is today.” “Everything was very nice, no overcrowding, no pushing, no shoving. I am sure there was crime and unpleasant things, but I was not aware of this. I eventually left New York when I married my husband, Richard. We went to live in his family home in California, where I had two children. I returned to New York 10 years later to pursue a professional singing career. Most American opera singers pursued careers in Europe before they debuted in the states. I made the decision to stay in New York, because I didn’t want to leave my children at their very young age. By this time, Richard and I had divorced.” “I returned to New York City in 1958. The city was still fine at that time, somewhat more populated, but it did not yet feel overwhelming. There wasn’t the unbelievable crowding, shouting, pushing, and rudeness that exist today. The ambience that had surrounded New York City was fading. The overpopulation now is almost unbearable.” “I feel so strongly about what is happening today in regards to illegal immigration. I keep saying, ‘Oh Ellis Island, where are you when we need you?’ I think it is unconscionable that we are the only country that doesn’t secure its borders even after an attack like 9/11. In my opinion, a country should close its borders immediately. Maybe I feel so strongly about this issue because I am a “I think we, as Americans, are being discriminated against in many ways. For example, when employers and government agencies take jobs or services away from our citizens and favor those who are in our country illegally because they will work for less than minimum wage. I have seen first-hand and have had personal experiences, where I feel my needs were pushed aside in favor of someone who did not legally belong here.” “I have personally experienced a number of situations where the attitudes of undocumented immigrants show their distain for America, its citizens and our way of life. For example, at all the little coffee shops and restaurants on Broadway, the waiters and busboys, were at one time, all American whites and blacks working for minimum wage. Slowly at first, and now it seems much faster, things began to change. Now, these jobs are filled by those here illegally, by those who do not speak English, and will work for much less. This is the attraction for the employers.” “I have been insulted by workers who insist that I learn Spanish when I patronized an establishment right around the corner from where I have lived for 40 years! A woman I had never seen before confronted me on the street, who started talking about how wonderful HER country was, and how she didn’t like America. I was stunned. I responded, ‘Well, if your country is so wonderful, why do you not go back there?’ She said, ‘Oh, I am! As soon as I get my social security!’ How ironic is that! I was absolutely flabbergasted! On a daily basis, I am amazed what new information I hear about. A friend of mine was moving, and told me there are actually ILLEGAL agencies that will assist in placing ILLEGAL workers in jobs for a certain set cost, based on the type of job! How insane is that? How can this happen in a country of laws? This is America. The constitution hasn’t changed, the government has. I gladly paid the price to be able to call myself an American. I earned the privilege and the right to live in the greatest country in the world. I believe we should all be held accountable, in the same way, for the same reasons.” “I have personally been in a situation years ago where I sought help from a state agency. I waited in line for hours just like everybody else. When I finally got to the front of the line, I was told that it was unlikely that I would get help because, ‘if I would look around the room, I would notice that hardly any of these people spoke English…THEY needed the help - not me!’ What happened to MY rights as a citizen? I actually wound up NOT getting the help I needed, and I am an American citizen.” “Living daily life seems much distorted to me. There