Terry Young was my grandfather’s second cousin, a first-generation Italian-American. He was born Angelo DeSanza on April 27, 1921 in New York City. Unfortunately, Terry was murdered in a bar on the Lower East Side when he was just 46. The neighborhood my grandfather grew up in, is also the one my father owns an Italian restaurant in. Terry’s father was a boxer like most of his other male relatives. My grandfather was just 14 when he could no longer stay awake in school because he was working nights at his father’s bar. He dropped out and went to work, and brought home his pay to his mother. I am grateful that my ancestors sacrificed in a way that I will never have to. I do not take my choices for granted because I am aware of how lucky I am to have choices. When I see the gloves that he fought in, I feel a sense of family and tradition. His success after coming from hardly nothing is inspiring and makes me feel proud of the people I descended from. The picture above is almost identical to what my grandfather looks like and every time I see it I am reminded of my deep, breathtaking, unique family history. To this day my grandmother enjoys watching boxing on TV, something most women do not. I used to not understand why this was even semi enjoyable to her, and now finally, I do.

– Giada C.

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more