Coming to the United States offers many immigrants the chance to better themselves through education, jobs, and possible upward mobility. However, once in the United States, they face discrimination and stereotyping, which often hinders their ability to access the American Dream.[1] This is true of Bolivian immigrants who began immigrating after the passage of the Hart-Celler Act (1965). Most of the Bolivians who were coming were economic immigrants, hoping to make money to both have a good life in America and send funds back to Bolivia.

According to the 2010 Census, Bolivians comprised the largest number immigrants from South American countries to come to Alexandria, Virginia. [2]

Despite being the largest group coming from South America, Bolivians immigrants are often either ignored by the media or when covered, they are often grouped in a large catch-all group of other immigrants coming from Central and South America and the stories are  negative. They report on gang violence, drug trafficking, political coups, and earthquakes.[3] These stereotypes, which the media perpetuates, forces immigrants to work harder to gain the trust of Americans, in order to get the jobs or investments in small business start-ups.

In an effort to combat this negative image of Bolivians as well as other Central and Southern American immigrants, Julio Duran, a Bolivian immigrant, decided that he was going to begin to publish his own newspaper Impacto in 1986. Duran was born in Tarija, Bolivia and was trained as in journalism at the University of La Plata, in Buenos Aries Argentina. After graduating, Duran began working for different newspapers and even started a few of his own papers La Tablada in La Paz, Bolivia. In 1979, Duran moved to the United States to become a Washington correspondent for the newspaper El Diario.[4]

Despite his education and experience in Bolivia, Duran struggled to find a job in the United States. He was repeatedly turned down for jobs with the federal government despite passing the writing exams and a background check. In the face of this opposition, Duran decided that he would write and publish his own newspaper and focused on stories that were neglected by the U.S. media but were important to those Spanish-speaking immigrants from Central and South America. Duran knew that in order to finance his newspaper, he would need to get advertisers interested in investing in his newspaper. In an interview with the Washington Post, Duran describes how he was forced to go around carrying his degree to prove his credentials. Still, many were hesitant to advertise in his newspaper and instead insisted to see the first edition before making any decision. So Duran was forced to invest $8,000 his own money into his newspaper while only taking in $4,000 in advertisements.[5]

Partially due to his status as a Latino immigrant, Julio was denied a job with the federal government (despite his qualifications) and struggled to get advertising in his newspaper, despite his extensive experience. However, due to his determination and hard work, Julio Duran was eventually able to get his newspaper Impacto published. While the American Dream and belief in the equality is central to the American psyche, immigrants often face a number of struggles. One of the hardest to overcome is the racial stereotypes held by those born in the America. These stereotypes are often portrayed by the media and cause immigrants to struggle to have access to jobs that they are qualified for.

 

[1]. Tom Gjelten, A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2015).

[2]. 2010 U.S. Federal Census: Community Facts; Hispanic or Latino, Alexandria, Virginia, American Fact Finder, digital image, accessed November 09, 2016, http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml.

[3]. Dianna Saenz, “Fledgling Va. Publisher Puts Out a Paper with Latin American Beat,” The Washington Post, December 11, 1986, accessed November 09, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1986/12/11/fledgling-va-publisher-puts-out-a-paper-with-latin-american-beat/6344a7f8-c047-4758-a935-769d7924046a/.

[4]. Ibid.

[5]. Ibid.

 

For many Ethiopians, the decision to leave Ethiopia can be an incredibly emotional process. Many left, not because they wanted to, but because their lives were in danger during the country’s civil war. The adjustment to living in the United States was difficult for many due to its different language and customs. Immigrants handled this transition in a number of different ways. Some rigorously held onto their home country, doing their best to maintain their traditions in a new place. Others threw themselves into their new host countries and adopt a new culture and way of life. However, many immigrants chose to adopt coethnic approach – focusing on the merging of both cultures – and choosing to take the best of both and pass those values on to their children.[1] One common aspect that is central to immigrants and culture, whether they are in their home or host country, is food. Food has the ability to remind people of where they came from, but also can help them connect to their new home. But, perhaps most importantly, food can also help to bring people together.

Once settling in the United States, many immigrants strived to feel a connection to their home country, and food maintained that connection. In oral histories with Ethiopians immigrants in Alexandria, traditional foods were central, and this can be most clearly seen around the major holidays. Alexandria’s Ethiopian immigrant population is largely Orthodox Christian, and one of the most important holidays is Christmas, known as Genna. Afomia Wendemagegn and her family immigrated to the United Stats when Wendemagegn was just a little girl. While Wendemagegn does not remember much about what Ethiopia was like, she has fond memories of Christmas traditions, particularly the dishes that were always eaten. The main dish she loves is doro wot, which is a “stew made with like chicken with like hard-boiled eggs in it and it’s really spicy.” She adds that the levels of spice can be change so that it is less spicy, however her family loves it hot. Wendemagegn loves this dish so much that even though she is now a vegetarian, but she makes an exception every year for doro wot.[2]

While food can help immigrants stay connected to their home countries, food can also help immigrants adjust and feel at home in the United States. For many immigrants, the new food is a drastic culinary change. FAmerican cuisine is viewed as unhealthy and artificial, but despite this, many immigrants find themselves drawn to it. One example can be found in the oral history given by Aida Abdul-Wali. She was born in the Ethiopian capital city of Addis Ababa, but when she was eight, Abdul-Wali and her family were forced to flee after a violent military coup in 1974. After going to Yemen, her family went to Egypt, before finally settling in the United States. While Abdul-Wali does miss the food of Ethiopia, she has come to love some American foods, most of which are junk foods. She states specifically that she really like “McDonald’s… Honey Buns and Twinkies and stuff… Diet Coke.” Abdul-Wali really came to love the food in the United States, and even joked that they were her friends in her high school. Later, in her interview, Abdul-Wali is asked to give advice to new immigrants and her best advice is “just really assimilate with the culture” and it is clear that Abdul-Wali did just that when experiencing part of a new country’s diet.[3]

One example of the blending of cultures through food can be seen in the Caboose Café run by Rhoda Worku. Worku immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s and settled in Alexandria, Virginia. She opened her café in 2004 in the Del Ray Neighborhood. Her restaurant is famous in Alexandria for being a family friendly café, offering a unique blend of American and traditional Ethiopian dishes. When she initially opened her restaurant, Worku only served American foods, such as sandwiches, salads, omelets, and waffles. After opening, she was encourage by friends to serve traditional Ethiopian food as well. This started when a group of yoga students from the yoga studio down the street asked her for some vegetarian dishes.[4] One Ethiopian dish featured at the Caboose Café is zilzil tibbs, which is steak with onions, tomato and berbere served with cabbage and salad.[5] This dish is often served with a type of Ethiopian bread called injera, which is a spongy flat bread. It is often typically eaten with one’s hands, instead of with utensils.

Under the dinner section of her menu, there is an Ethiopian section that describes the dishes and also contains a handy English-Ethiopian dictionary that helps to translate both foods, and some basic Ethiopian foods. This dictionary also helps to illustrate a desire to educate the local Del Ray community about Ethiopia. Another way that Worku tries to help Americans experience Ethiopian culture, is by serving Ethiopian food only at dinner. This is because in Ethiopia eating a meal is a leisurely activity and is something that should be enjoyed and experienced.[6]

Adjusting to a new host country can be a difficult process for an immigrant. They are faced with many difficulties, such as learning a new culture and language and set of social norms. While many immigrants want to adjust to a new country, they want to make sure that they remain a sense of their old life. For many Ethiopians immigrants, food is central to how they can both still maintain a sense of connection to their home country while also helping them to become accustom to a new place. However, perhaps the most important thing that food can do is to build a bridge between home and host country and offer a chance to feel connected to both places.

Bibliography

[1]. Elizabeth Chacko, “Identity and Assimilatin Among Young Ethiopian in Metropolitan Washington,” Geographical Review 93, no. 4 (Oct. 2003): 499–500.

[2]. Afomia Wendemagegn, interviewed by Krystyn Moon, Alexandria Legacies, Office of Historic Alexandria, June 4, 2015.

 

[3] Aida Abdul-Wali, interviewed by Apasrin Suvanasai, Alexandria Legacies, Office of Historic Alexandria, August 25, 2015.

 

[4]. Rhoda Worku, interviewed by Krystyn Moon, Alexandria Legacies, Office of Historic Alexandria, May 20, 2015.

[5]. Rhoda Worku, “Caboose Café: Dinner Menu,” 10, accessed October 30, 2016, caboose-café.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Caboose-Dinner-Menu.finalprint.pdf.

[6]. Ibid.

When Italians came to the United States in the early twentieth-century, they were looking for jobs and a chance to improve their lot in life. Many of the Italians, especially the men, took jobs working as laborers, generally in awful conditions. However, in some cases, these immigrants were able to obtain better jobs, which afforded them and their families a better life. One such immigrant was Alfredo (later referred to as the Americanized Alfred) Caporaletti, who was born April 26, 1886 in Montepangano Teramo, Italy.[1] On April 17, 1903, Alfredo arrived in New York City after taking the Italian ship the S.S. Lboenicia from Naples. The passenger manifesto has him listed as a single farm laborer, whose final destination was Philadelphia where his brother lived.[2] This practice of moving to an area with family already settled was typical for immigrants. It was an way to find housing, often staying with family, and gave them access to a support system to help find a job and to stay connected to their home country. His initial job appeared to be a farm laborer and by 1910, Alfredo had made enough money to visit to Cologna, Italy before returning to Philadelphia on June 10, 1910 on the S.S. Taormina.[3]

It was after moving to Alexandria, Virginia that Alfred and his family’s shifted away from the agriculture to industrial work. By 1912, Alfredo moved to Alexandria and was working as a car repairman, probably for one of the local railroad companies.[4] In 1918, he filled out a draft card for World War I, but was disqualified from service due to a hernia.[5] It is hard to know exactly when, but by 1928 Alfred had married Mary Braclo.[6] They would had three children–Louis, Laura, and Julius.[7] Sadly, on November 6, 1935 Mary died of an appendiceal abscess after being admitted to the hospital two days prior.[8]

Even with all the information about Alfred, it is hard to pin down exactly what job he held during the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1928 city directory, his job is listed as a cook, but in the 1930 U.S. Census, his occupation is listed as car repairer again, working for Fruit Growers Express, a company affiliated with the rail industry. By 1940, Alfred was again working as a cook in a hotel.[9] He remained a cook until his death on April 20, 1956, where his death certificate has listed his employment as chef at the Mayflower Hotel, in Washington D.C.[10]  It is unclear why he switched between two very different occupations during his life.

These job changes most likely led to an increase in money for the Caporaletti family. In 1930, Alfred’s address is listed as 312 Queen Street and he was renting for $100 a month.[11] However, by 1940 he owned his own house at 414 Queen Street, and the house was valued at $1,700.[12]

Alfred Caporaletti’s life represents one aspect of the Italian immigrant experience. He initially settled in Philadelphia with his brother, before moving to Alexandria along with his entire family. Besides remaining close to his family, Alfred also represents upward mobility. He came as a laborer, then worked alternatively as a car repairman and a cook. Each new career brought money, which he appeared to use to eventually buy a home.

Bibliography

[1]. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, “Alfred Caporaletti,” accessed October   6, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[2]. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820 – 1957, “Alfredo Caporaletti,” accessed October 6, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[3]. Pennsylvania, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1800 – 1926, “Alfredo Caporaletti,” accessed  October 7, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[4]. 1912 Alexandria City Directory, “Alfredo Caporaletti,” accessed October 8, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[5]. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards , 1917 – 1918, “Alfred Caporaletti,” accessed October 8, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[6]. 1928 Alexandria City Directory, Alfred Caporaletti,” accessed October 9, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[7]. 1940 U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Alexandria, Virginia, Enumerated District 101-7, sheet no. 20 – A, lines 2 -5, “Alfred, Louis, Laura, and Julius Caporaletti,” digital image, accessed October 8, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[8]. Virginia, Death Records, 1912 – 2014 for Mary Caporaletti, “Mary Caporaletti,” accessed October 9, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[9]. 1940 U.S. Census. Alexandria, Virginia. “Alfred Caporaletti.”

[10]. Virginia, Death Records, 1912 – 2014 for Alfred Caporaletti, “Alfred Caporaletti,” accessed October 9, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[11]. 1930 U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Alexandria, Virginia, Enumerated District 101 – 12, sheet no. 8B, Alfred Caporaletti, line 97, digital image, accessed October 6, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com/.

[12]. 1940 U.S. Census. Alexandria, Virginia. “Alfred Caporaletti.”

One common misconception about immigrants is that once arriving in the United States, they remained in one place; however, it was quite common for immigrants to move from place to place. Often immigrants would either move farther West or along the East Coast. One family that represents this migration pattern is the Gibson family. William Gibson was born in County Armagh in Northern Ireland while his wife Margaret Mahaffey Gibson was born somewhere in the British Empire, although the exact place is unclear.[1] William immigrated to the United States from Northern Ireland via Liverpool, England on May 2, 1849. [2] They married on March 20, 1852 in Philadelphia at the Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church.[3] William would go on to become an allopath (a doctor who practices allopathic medicine), and Margaret is listed as a housekeeper in the 1880 U.S. Census. [4]

 

In addition to getting married in Pennsylvania, two of their children Matilda Emily and Henrietta, were also born there. [5] Their next child, Thomas Samuel, was listed in both the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Census as being born in Illinois, thus illustrating that the family moved. [7] One interesting fact about the Gibson family is that by 1860, William and Margaret sent their daughter Matilda Emily to live with Margaret’s parents, the Mahaffeys, in Alexandria, Virginia.[8]

 

 

In the two years following Thomas Samuel’s birth, the Gibson family moved to Alexandria, Virginia where they lived for the remainder of their lives. [9] During their life in Alexandria, they had six more children in addition to Thomas Samuel: four sons and two daughters. At the time of William’s death in 1903, the Gibson family was well established and respected within the local community. [10]

 

 

 

[1]. It is hard to know with certainly exactly where Margaret was born. On the 1870 Census, her place of birth is listed as Canada. But on the 1880 Census, her birthplace is listed as Scotland. Complicating matters, her father’s birthplace is recorded as Scotland, while her mother’s is listed as Canada, making both places a possible birthplace of Margaret.

[2]. New York, Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820 – 1850. “William Gibson,” accessed September 24, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com.

[3]. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708 – 1985. “William Gibson and Margaret Mehaffey,” accessed September 26, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com.

[4]. Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804 – 1929, “William Gibson,” accessed September 24, 2016; 1880 U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Alexandria, Virginia, Enumerated District 4, sheet no. 8, “Margaret Gibson, line 23, digital image, accessed September 15, 2016, http://www.ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com.

[5]. 1880 U.S. Census, Alexandria Virginia, “Matilda Emily Gibson and Henrietta.”

[6]. 1870 U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Alexandria, Virginia, sheet no. 7, “Thomas Gibson,” line 36, digital image, accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com.

[7]. 1860 U.S. Census Data (Population Schedule), Alexandria, Virginia, sheet no. 83, Matilda Gibson, line 6, digital image, accessed September 14, 2016. http://www.ancestry.com.

[8]. “Death of Doctor Gibson” Alexandria Gazette, January 28, 1903. Accessed September 27, 2016, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.

[9]. “William Gibson,” Find a Grave, accessed September 23, 2016. www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&Grid=67445373.