This is my Grandfather’s old work bench. He is an immigrant from Ireland, traveling through Ellis Island in 1948. Coming with no money or higher education, he enlisted in the army to receive a GED and continued on to work as a backhoe operator and construction worker for the remainder of his career in the Bay Area in California. “Papa” built this work bench himself to use throughout his construction career. The bench resembles the blue collar, hardworking, and humble background of where my family comes from, which my Dad continues to value and instill in his kids today, despite working an office job. As long as I have been alive, my Dad has mowed our lawn himself, done yardwork, changed our car’s oil and tires, handled maintenance and issues around the house, constructed an enclosed garden (twice), and much more, all after his long work day in the office. This influenced my decision to work on a grounds crew for a summer, further developing my appreciation for hard labor. He’s shown us to never have to rely on someone else for tasks that we can learn and do ourselves. Although “Papa” passed away when I was only 9, his blue collar, immigrant work ethic lives on through my Dad. I try to carry with me the working class spirit that my Grandfather brought with him from Ireland to preserve our heritage in any way that I can.   

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant