移民子女談移民

今晚，在讀「 I LIKE BEING AMERICAN」 這本書時， 看到一篇1999年 獲得美國移民法基金會創意寫作獎的最佳作品之一。作者是一位五年級的女孩。讀罷，很感動。在網上GOOGLE這篇，貼在這裡，時而看看。同時，也找到了一些其它的獲獎作品。

Grand Prize Winner
AILA Pittsburgh Chapter winner Crystal Uvalle from St. Angela Merici School-White Oak, PA

Why I am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants

It was about 20 years ago,
A man came here from Mexico.
He sought a better way to live,
And found he had a lot to give.
He didn't speak a word of English,
So he took a job busing dishes.
To learn his new country's ways,
He worked and studied everyday.
He made Dallas his new home,
And before he knew it he was in the know.
He worked his way up in that restaurant,
And a lady there, his eye she caught.
She was a native of another state,
And he asked her out on a date.
She liked pierogies and roast beef,
He liked tamales and spicy meat.
It didn't take long, they were in love,
Then God sent them a baby from heaven above.
I'm so happy for them you see,
That man and woman and I make three.

I'm so happy America let him in,
He's my father and my friend.

I love you Daddy!


Finalists Include

AILA Chicago Chapter winner Leif Holmstrand from Chicago, IL
America, America- They Came to be Free
I dedicate this song to my Farfar (father's father), who came to America from Sweden In 1920. His boat arrived in New York, at Ellis Island, where he spent some time. He told my father stories about his trip: friends dying of tuberculosis, lice, over crowding. He went to Nebraska to try farming, but finally settled in Chicago, where he was a fine painter and woodworker.
America, America- They Came To Be Free
Rap
America, the land of the free;
The immigrants made it strong with their diversity
First, from England, came the Pilgrims, to worship as they pleased,
Next came the Germans, Irish, the French, the Swedes.
The Finns, the Danes, the Polish and Portuguese,
The Welsh, the Dutch, the Scots and the Chinese
America, America, they came to be free,
The immigrants made it strong with their diversity
As indentured servants looking for opportunity,
Stolen from West Africa as slaves without liberty,
They came for land, they came for gold. From tyranny,
War and famine, they fled to this country.
America, America, they came to be free;
The immigrants made it strong with their diversity.
A dangerous, relentless journey across the sea,
The immigrants landed at Ellis Island wanting to be free.
They worked in mines and factories, on farm and railroad,
Men, women, children, they carried a heavy
America, America the land of the free,
The immigrants made it strong with diversity.
The IMMIGRANTS made it what it's come to be:
The U.S.A. proud and free
America, America, the land of the free,
The immigrants made it strong with their diversity.
Mexico, Korea, Bosnia, the Sudan
From Haiti, the Honduras, Afghanistan.
They're still coming from many other lands,
They come to America, they want this country:
America, America, from sea to shining sea,
America, America, the immigrants' country.

America, America, the land of the free
AILA Wisconsin Chapter winner Samantha Huber from Fredonia, WI
Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants
Africans, coming to America on slave ships
   Whipped and beaten
   No choice
French, looking for gold and other treasures
Claiming land that was not up for sale
Indentures servants, looking for a new life
  Finding it
  America
A nation of immigrants
Spain, France, Mexico, England, Africa condensed into one
Freedom, education, equality, and justice for all
Diversity, teaching us tolerance
  Variety
Differences in customs, holidays, foods, games, language, and clothing
Even ideas and thoughts differ
Everyone with a different life story
Giving us a taste of the rest of the world
I'm proud of my country
Glad to live in a nation of immigrants
Accepting and welcoming people of the world
AILA South Florida Chapter winner Alexa Lash from Miami, FL
Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants
I am alone
Unprotected by the evil that stands before me
I am alone
Without home or a road to freedom

I am  
Walking through the blackened street of fear
I am  
Going to a new world where my language is not spoken

I am transparent
I am seeking a place with no one to be my guide
I am transparent
People see an ugly girl

I am new
Seeing new people who can help
I am new
Going to be free

I am loved
By my friends who I will trust
I am loved
By the family I will miss

I am leaving
I am going on the ship to freedom
I am leaving
Going to a street of gold

I am crying
Saying my good byes
I am crying
From tear to dangling tear

I am forming
I am becoming a woman on my own
I am forming
I am looking to see who I really am

I am reaching
Hearing the call of an eagle
I am reaching
Getting closer to the destination I have longed for

I am observing
Seeing the ocean bloom into waves along the shore
I am observing
Seeing the sun rise and the birds chirp

I have arrived
Feeling the warmth of the sand
I have arrived
In America
AILA Philadelphia Chapter winner Daniel Rocha from Media, PA
America
America a land of differences
   different races;
   different faces,
America a land of differences.

America a land of freedom,
Immigrants come from far and near,
To taste the freedom we have here.
They come for freedom of religion,
   freedom of speech,
   freedom of press,
they come for freedom from dictators and laws
America a land of freedom

America a land of family,
people come from different lands,
to see their family that lives here,
America a land of family.

America a land of hope,
Immigrants who come here,
hope for freedom from unfair rules,
hope to escape their fears,
hope to stop their endless tears,
America a land of hope

America a land of people,
many people,
some have similarities,
some have differences
some have both
America a land of people.

America a land of different languages
Spanish, English,
Portuguese, Scottish
Chinese, Japanese,
many languages,
America a land of different languages

America a land of all,
America a land of difference,
America a land of freedom,
America a land of family,
America a land of hope,
America a land of people, America a land of different languages, America a land for all
AILA Greater Chicago Chapter winner Eugene Yakubov from Chicago, IL
Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants
My family came to the United States in 1996 because life in Ukraine was getting worse and was getting worse. There were no jobs, no food, and no money.
My friends' parents didn't have jobs for two years. In America his father got a job right away. Many people left their countries even though they had to change their professions.
In Ukraine my father was a tinsmith. Now he repairs air conditioners. My mom went to "Beauty School."
It is great that America is a nation of immigrants because when new immigrants arrive they meet people just like them. No one laughs at their English or their misery.
On my first day of school I was  I didn't know English. In class I saw children from all around the world. A Russian boy helped me a lot.
In America people have to work hard because life is not easy. This is the country that is built with hard labor.
New immigrants are like new-borns in the family. They bring happiness and joy.
I am grateful to America because my parents could find a job, and I may go to school where teachers don't faint because they are hungry.
Once President Kennedy addressed his fellow Americans. I address my fellow immigrants. Don't ask what America can do for you ask what you can do for America, a Promised Land for many of us.