In a photo album that my parents brought to the United States from China, an immigration story unfolds. About 25 photos bridge memories from Fujian to Manhattan.The photos included memories from their village in China, where they spent time with their parents and siblings to excursions in New York when they first arrived, and photos of them in their small apartment in Chinatown. During these photos my parents can be seen, posing with strangers who were willing to take photos with them, at random places where they could show off their new clothing and electronics, and at home.  In a particular photos of my mom sewing and my dad in a stained shirt reveal the urgency to gain income as they worked in the garment and restaurant industries like many other Chinese immigrants during the late 1900s.This album provides invaluable insight into their lives, from their early days in China to their emotions during significant moments. While I cannot unlock the full stories behind each photo, every element in these images tells a broader narrative—a connection to their roots, the anecdotes they casually shared, their enthusiasm for new experiences, and their unwavering pursuit of economic freedom. While this album, is unimportant to them now, it unveils their unwavering pursuit of a better life through immigration—a universal story told through a simple photo album, that extrapolates to the immigrant experience of my parents and of millions of other migrants.
 

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant