Blog Post 1: Voices of Generations: Investigating Brooklyn’s Cultural Identity
Instructor: Katharina Hering, PhD, MLIS
Assignment 1
Assignment 1
By: Alicia Araujo
- Oral History Interview: Peter O. Mercado
- Oral history interview conducted by John D. Vazquez
- Date of interview: October 23, 1974
- Duration: 58:45
- Topic:
- Migration of Peter Mercado from Puerto Rico to NYC/Brooklyn, the jobs worked, Puerto Ricans helping each other find success in the community, identifying impactful people in their community. There was a large focus on who the interviewee was affiliated with and their roles within the community within Brooklyn.
- Center for Brooklyn History (via the Long Island History Society)
- Full audio recording; recording with keyword index
Photo by author, Puerto Rican flag in Puerto Rico.
Peter Mercado in response to being asked if he had difficulty getting a job:
"In those days there was no such a thing. That was a norm. In '28 you just walk anywheres and help wanted. There was no discrimination."
Additional quote from Peter Mercado that I found
interesting, referencing others in the Puerto Rican community who have migrated and had struggles:
"It's sad in a way that I have to say that some of my people have had hard times; I cannot say this for any member of my family or myself, we've had it wonderful."
Image from Center for Brooklyn History website https://oralhistory.brooklynhistory.org
My connection
This oral interview was fascinating to me because of the
topic and my connection with Puerto Rico. In 1980, at 5 years old, I migrated with
my family to mainland United States from Puerto Rico, although different circumstances,
since our migration was in the 1980’s and Peter Mercado’s migration was in the
1920’s! However, my father’s family also migrated to NYC similar to Peter
Mercado in the 50’s, and there are similarities in the stories I heard from his family.
The Migration from Puerto Rico to NYC
This oral interview took place in 1974 regarding Peter Mercado’s life, migrating from Puerto Rico to Manhattan ate the age of 18, April 9, 1928, and how he shortly landed in Brooklyn. Peter talks about how he initially had no intention of leaving Puerto Rico, but his circumstances changed, and he bought a ticket to travel by boat! He mentioned that the ship left on Wednesdays and he came across a High School friend who also bought a ticket, but the friend got very ill and was unable to travel, so they swapped tickets, and this is what brought Peter to NYC much earlier than initially intended.
This oral interview took place in 1974 regarding Peter Mercado’s life, migrating from Puerto Rico to Manhattan ate the age of 18, April 9, 1928, and how he shortly landed in Brooklyn. Peter talks about how he initially had no intention of leaving Puerto Rico, but his circumstances changed, and he bought a ticket to travel by boat! He mentioned that the ship left on Wednesdays and he came across a High School friend who also bought a ticket, but the friend got very ill and was unable to travel, so they swapped tickets, and this is what brought Peter to NYC much earlier than initially intended.
Travel by Boat
During his journey, he made friends with other Puerto Ricans on the ship, and one offered for him to stay with him and his family, until he got on his feet! This didn’t surprise me one bit and is very indicative of the friendly and helpful Puerto Rican culture how I was raised.
During his journey, he made friends with other Puerto Ricans on the ship, and one offered for him to stay with him and his family, until he got on his feet! This didn’t surprise me one bit and is very indicative of the friendly and helpful Puerto Rican culture how I was raised.
Concerns with the Interview
I would have liked for the interviewer to have probed about the circumstances that changed for Peter to decide to leave Puerto Rico; there was no follow up there. Additionally, to learn more about the trip on his ship – how many days? How many people – if he could estimate? I understand these things aren’t relevant to the Puerto Rican community in Brooklyn but would be interesting tidbits to help build on the story engagement. Also, the interview was often interrupted with a land line phone ringing very loud while Peter was speaking and was probably indicative of the limited editing capabilities in 1974.
I would have liked for the interviewer to have probed about the circumstances that changed for Peter to decide to leave Puerto Rico; there was no follow up there. Additionally, to learn more about the trip on his ship – how many days? How many people – if he could estimate? I understand these things aren’t relevant to the Puerto Rican community in Brooklyn but would be interesting tidbits to help build on the story engagement. Also, the interview was often interrupted with a land line phone ringing very loud while Peter was speaking and was probably indicative of the limited editing capabilities in 1974.
Welcoming Community
Peter discusses his life in Brooklyn and it’s mostly painted as a beautiful life with minimal struggles. From his perspective, there were no issues getting work during those days, and networking through the Puerto Rican community appeared to be effortless, as well as networking with other cultures. Cultures he meshed with most were the Jewish and Italian communities; he also mentioned working with Germans who had no issues with him speaking Spanish with his colleagues on the job. The interviewer asked Peter his thoughts on why he felt there was unity in the community back then vs now. Peter mentioned a couple things: first, his age – he and many others went as 18-year-olds, and the focus was on working hard, making a living, and family. They were there to work for a better life, better education, and to assimilate. Peter mentioned there weren’t many Puerto Ricans migrating at this time and he thinks that impacted the unity – those who were there helped each other and the community was welcoming.
Peter discusses his life in Brooklyn and it’s mostly painted as a beautiful life with minimal struggles. From his perspective, there were no issues getting work during those days, and networking through the Puerto Rican community appeared to be effortless, as well as networking with other cultures. Cultures he meshed with most were the Jewish and Italian communities; he also mentioned working with Germans who had no issues with him speaking Spanish with his colleagues on the job. The interviewer asked Peter his thoughts on why he felt there was unity in the community back then vs now. Peter mentioned a couple things: first, his age – he and many others went as 18-year-olds, and the focus was on working hard, making a living, and family. They were there to work for a better life, better education, and to assimilate. Peter mentioned there weren’t many Puerto Ricans migrating at this time and he thinks that impacted the unity – those who were there helped each other and the community was welcoming.
Jobs
The interviewer asked Peter about the type of jobs Puerto Ricans took on between 1929 and 1940. Peter said restaurant jobs were the easiest to obtain – especially working as a dishwasher, where you didn’t have to speak English. Also, factory work was another job that was easy to work without knowing the language.
The interviewer asked Peter about the type of jobs Puerto Ricans took on between 1929 and 1940. Peter said restaurant jobs were the easiest to obtain – especially working as a dishwasher, where you didn’t have to speak English. Also, factory work was another job that was easy to work without knowing the language.
Impact of the Language Barrier
Peter discussed the language barrier being a challenge for most who would come with no English. To resolve this, Peter temporarily moved to Glendale (Queens), to be surrounded by English speakers and this helped him learn quickly. One would be forced to learn English to work – it was a necessity. He talked about his mother’s struggles; she had a tough time. She took a night class, but when she would come home and recite the English she learned to include the Pledge of Allegiance, his siblings would make fun of her accent in jest, and this drove her to quit school and she never learned English. At the time of his interview in the 1970’s, Peter felt some Puerto Ricans didn’t bother to learn English because they felt they didn’t need to. Also, he felt some were ashamed to speak English with each other in because either they would be subconscious of their accent or possibly feeling like one spoke better than the other and they would be perceived as a show off.
Peter discussed the language barrier being a challenge for most who would come with no English. To resolve this, Peter temporarily moved to Glendale (Queens), to be surrounded by English speakers and this helped him learn quickly. One would be forced to learn English to work – it was a necessity. He talked about his mother’s struggles; she had a tough time. She took a night class, but when she would come home and recite the English she learned to include the Pledge of Allegiance, his siblings would make fun of her accent in jest, and this drove her to quit school and she never learned English. At the time of his interview in the 1970’s, Peter felt some Puerto Ricans didn’t bother to learn English because they felt they didn’t need to. Also, he felt some were ashamed to speak English with each other in because either they would be subconscious of their accent or possibly feeling like one spoke better than the other and they would be perceived as a show off.
Community Impact on his Career
Peter spent much of his time in Brooklyn in social clubs meeting others in the community, and all the jobs obtained were through knowing other people. Every job led to another job. Peter mentioned how his landlord offered him a chauffeur job and when he would park waiting for his landlord, he would make many friends. In this capacity, he networked to a job as a foreman for 28 years, where he remained until he retired.
Peter spent much of his time in Brooklyn in social clubs meeting others in the community, and all the jobs obtained were through knowing other people. Every job led to another job. Peter mentioned how his landlord offered him a chauffeur job and when he would park waiting for his landlord, he would make many friends. In this capacity, he networked to a job as a foreman for 28 years, where he remained until he retired.
Hello Alicia, this is Terrence. It is very interesting that you have a similar experience with Peter Mercado. I can tell immigrating to another country and adapting to a new culture can be very difficult and I also have a similar experience. It is very interesting that Puerto Ricans help each other find success in the community, identifying impactful people in their community. I believe this makes them more motivated. The post is very well organized and structured which was very easy to read and understand. Thank you for sharing your post!
ReplyDeleteHello Alicia, this is Genesis. I understand the huge impact that leaving the island can have. The sense of unity that comes from the small Puerto Rican communities really does bring in a lot of comfort. English is still a sensitive topic back on the island, even though more people are speaking it now. The style that this post was written in is fantastic! I hope to read more of your posts. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete