Interviews
A number of people here recount their immigration experiences. In some ways, these are familiar stories, but then again, each individual experience is unique and significant. There are the inter-generational conflicts between parents and children; the differences between the successive waves of immigrants from old and complex societies; and the sharp contrasts between unprepared refugees and those with a large community or financial resources to cushion them. Constant is the discovery of getting things done and of unspoken social customs.
Those who hit hard barriers may spend their lives engaged in addressing social issues such as systemic discrimination in professional and trades practices. Others try to melt into the city as much as they can. Join, opt out, change the system — or combine all three! Just as one starts to believe that any person's story is the same as someone who came before them, the numerous differences start to appear. Toronto has changed, as has the history of the world. We need to find new options that will articulate the new reality.
These interviews reflect the complexity of this process. For some, old dreams have broken; new and altered dreams form, and the vine continues. Others have adapted tremendously and manage to stay always one step ahead of the changing tide, bringing with them their history.
Featured Contributors
Here are some featured contributors with arrival stories. Their names and images link to their individual pages.
