| 2001 Creative Writing Contest Finalists | |||
| Last updated August 17, 2005 | |||
 The United States has the largest immigrant population in the world. There are two types of immigrants today. Those who are running from something, and those who are running to something. In the early 1600s there was a third reason. Africans were brought to America against their will as slaves. Africans had no choice but to become part of American culture. Today, African Americans have freedom to leave, but are so much a part of the American society that we remain part of this country. I'm part of the American melting pot. My school is an example of America in 2001. There are at least thirty countries represented in my school. Some of the children in my school don't speak English, or speak very little English. In the classroom, they sometimes have a translator. In the lunchrooms and in the school yard, language is not a problem. We play tag, jump rope, and run around the school yard. We need no translators. It is a privilege to go to school with so many cultures. In the fourth grade, everyone researched their culture and country of origin. My ancestors came from Africa. They weren't treated well, but today I'm able to attend one of the best schools in Philadelphia. I was proud when my grandmother shared stories from Africa. We finished the project with an international lunch. We enjoyed dishes and wore clothes from our country of origin. When the war started, I was four years old. I lived with my mom, dad, grandmother, and grandfather. One day my dad went to war. My mom said that he would come back soon but he never did. As we sat down to eat one day, the shaking and screaming began. There was dust all over. They threw a grenade in my house and killed my grandfather who I loved a lot. The door and bricks fell on me. Everywhere around me were dead people- men, women, and children. The war didn't choose. My uncle took my mom, grandmother, and me to another city. From there we moved on again but my mom didn't come because she was trapped in the city we came from. My grandmother died three months later and I was left with a woman I didn't even know. I didn't see my mom for six months. When she came, the war was still going on but I didn't care, at least I had my mom. My dad was gone, my grandfather and grandmother, too- all of them died in one year. When my mom and I came to the United States, it was hard and we cried a lot. We didn't have any friends and we didn't know how to speak English. But we have a lot more here than we did in Bosnia. Most of all we have freedom. Now I'm one happy kid who is
This is a true story. It is to show why I am glad America is a nation of immigrants. My great-grandfather was an immigrant from Italy. In the 1930's people did not get paid much and had to work very long hours. His name was Liberio. When people became tired with the way their bosses treated them, they picketed for unions. Liberio and his co-workers were among these workers. Liberio was their leader. One day during a picket, the police arrested him and his co-workers. When it was Liberio's turn to be questioned, the police asked why they were picketing, since this is America. Then Liberio said,"I know all about America. My name is Liberio and it means liberty. I have three sons. My first is Salvatore, which means salvation. America gives salvation to people who are poor, hungry, persecuted or even in danger. My next son's name is Victory, which means victory. Victory stands for America because we are victorious over depression and hardships and other countries that are against our way of life. My last son's name is Frank, which means freedom. Freedom is America. Its people can believe, can live and dream however they choose. Do not tell me I do not know what America is." When the police heard this, they let my great-grandfather and his companions go. I feel that this is very important because it made many understand what America is.
I'm proud to live in a place with many immigrants.
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