My family's Destiny by Andrea Perez

My grandparent's story

andreaperez1269_ — 2024-02-05 18:19:07 UTC

My grandmother, Carmen Chavez, was born in Guadalajara Jalisco on a ranch on a hill in 1936. She is the second oldest, but oldest daughter in her family, so she took on the responsibility of raising her younger siblings while her parents worked. They were a family of 7 that lived in a brick house. They grew up very poor. My grandma explained to me that they were so hungry and wanting meat, that her and her siblings would beg their parents to eat the rats that were walking around. Once she became of age, she wanted to continue working to earn money and become independent. She wanted more for herself. She heard around her ranch that people were moving to the border to work and earn USD. She felt that it was a good idea to move to Tijuana and work, so she took the chance and went, and found a job at a restaurant and worked as a waitress. She earned 1 USD a day and felt she was compensated for her work. Here, she met my grandfather, Jose de Jesus Miranda. He worked delivering water, and they met while he was delivering water at her restaurant. They would often cross the border illegally and visit the US. My grandfather wanted more, but my grandma was very fulfilled with her life in Tijuana. My grandfather wanted to earn more money, and acquire "finer things" that he felt could only be acquired in the US. My grandmother loved living in Mexico, with no restrictions, no stresses. She loved her easy going life there and felt that creating a family in the US would be too stressful. She cried and begged my grandfather to reconsider, but he ultimately decided to go there, and she followed her husband. They crossed over undocumented and had a daughter, my oldest aunt. Shortly after, they were affected by the immigration laws and acts that were being emplaced. In 1967, they were working at the same factory when agents came and did a sweep at their job. They got my grandfather and deported him back to Mexico. My grandmother took my aunt and went back to Mexico to accompany him. Since they had a child in the US, they were allowed permission back to the US and got the opportunity to get papers.

Related family story

andreaperez1269_ — 2024-02-05 19:04:40 UTC

Because my family came from Mexico, and my grandmother especially loved where she came from, I grew up being in touch and connected with my roots. Since I have been born, I have had the luxury to visit my family in Mexico mostly every year. Visiting my family out there and adjusting to the different way of life is a core memory for me. My entire family is very accustomed to visiting Mexico and giving back to our family. Being proud of our roots and indulging in our culture is something we genuinely enjoy. One year, we all made the effort to visit at the same time, because usually we visit at different times. We all vividly remember making the elders in our family happy by being so close and wanting to spend time with one another.

Historical event from the same period

andreaperez1269_ — 2024-02-05 19:16:47 UTC

The Six Day War was a Arab-Israeli war that took place June 5-10 of 1967. During this time, Israel captured Gaza, Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, Jerusalem, and Golan Heights. Israel sent an airstrike that destroyed more than 90% of Egypt's air force leaving them vulnerable. Within 3 days, the Israelis had basically claimed the victory. The UN called for a seize fire and they both agreed.

Middle Eastern War during 1967

andreaperez1269_ — 2024-02-05 21:11:03 UTC

The Six-Day War was a brief but bloody conflict fought in June 1967 between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. This article contains video footage and many different pictures from the war, as shown in the thumb nail.

andreaperez1269_ — 2024-02-05 21:18:50 UTC

This is a documentary about the six day war that is told from an Arabian point of view.