Jing Votruba
Where are you from?
I'm from Yangzhou, China.
What was it like growing up?
When growing up I was always being told I need to study hard so I can go to college and find a decent job. I felt a lot of competition pressure and not much personal interest developing opportunity until I went to college in Beijing.
What brought you to Cleveland?
New opportunities and my husband is from Cleveland.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I came to United States is to build a happy family and that hasn't changed.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here? The challenges are/were language barriers, culture difference, different mindset/values, not easy to find a good job.
What is your occupation?
I'm working as a Mandarin Immersion Teacher at GALA.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Our family and friends here are very kind and welcoming. We were invited to have dinner with them and they helped us to settle down at the first few weeks when we arrived here. Also my colleagues at GALA are very resourceful and knowledgeable helping me to know this area.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
I speak Mandarin Chinese and celebrate Chinese holidays with my family and friends.
What do you love about Cleveland?
My family recently attended the Night Market in Cleveland. That was a great example to show Cleveland cares and supports different communities. Clevelanders present their culture in many ways. I like the diversity that all the immigrant ancestors have brought to Cleveland. Clevelanders are trying hard to keep their traditions so it can be passed down to their next generations. As an immigrant I value that very much. That is how we make the community colorful and rich. People feel their roots are here.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
In my opinion immigrants and refugees can bring diversity that can benefit Cleveland in many ways.
Jael Aguilar
Where are you from?
I am from Venezuela
What was it like growing up?
Growing up in Venezuela was great until I graduated from college. Government changed and most of the young professionals started looking for a way to get out of the country either to improve their education or just to emigrate because of lack to jobs.
What brought you to Cleveland?
Cleveland opened another job's door for me.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
Yes, those thought definitely changed. I had come to America a few times as tourist and I thought life in this country was easier. When I came to study I realized that living here it was totally different. One of my experiences were to see people not being patient to listen to my accent or to answer any questions I had. Throughout the 22 years I have been living in this country I have witnessed a lot of changes. I think 9-11 changed many people's point of view of immigrants living in this country specially changed their view about Latinos.I have been discriminated against at work because I spoke my native language and I have also been discriminated for my accent.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
When I came to Cleveland I decided to continue taking the prerequisite courses I needed to be able to apply to the Master for Speech Language Pathologist Program. I took two courses at Cleveland State University during Spring 2016. I started having problems with one of the courses. I decided to reach out to the teacher so I would have a better understanding of the situation. The professor didn't like me since the beginning. He was very rude and treated me as a Special Education student. In one of my visits to his office, he suggested me to go to see my doctor because he thought I had learning disabilities or speech problems. Therefore, I would need a note from the doctor so I could barely get D as a grade. It did not matter how hard I worked for that course he finally gave me an F as a grade. Most of my classmates were caucasian, one African American, and I was the only Latina in the course. Last day of class, my classmates commented the difference on the treatment they received from him and comparing to the one he had toward me. I have never felt so discriminated during my years living in this country.
What is your occupation?
I am the Site Coordinator for Luis Muñoz Marín Dual Language Academy.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
I have mixed feelings about the Clevelanders. Some of them have been nice while some others has been rude making fun of me criticizing my accent in English.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
I keep my roots as Latina and (Sephardic Jew), my way of cooking, and I keep eating my Venezuelan-Mediterranean food.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I love the museums, and how Clevelanders are so passionate about their local sport teams. I admire the fact that it does not matter in what part of U.S they would live, they still feel like a Clevelander.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
When we leave our countries, we come with a lot of dreams and expectations to start a new life full of opportunities. As immigrant we have to make a tough decision of leaving our parents, brothers and sisters, husband, wife, and children behind not knowing when we'll be able to see them again. When an individual emigrate to another place could feel homesick, depressed and sometimes disoriented.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
I think the Community organizations should start working together creating an educational campaign. There should be like a coalition including religious organizations, local government, police department, post office, and the local media to inform Clevelanders about the future refugees and immigrants coming to this city. That way people will stop being judgemental about foreigners. Also, the city should provide a flyer or booklet with information for immigrants and refugees in different languages where they will be able to find the list of resources they could reach out.
Ramesh Shah
Where are you from?
India but now I am a US citizen
What is your occupation?
I am retired, but I also teach junior achievement, global marketing and global entrepreneurship. I also do a lot of medical camps with my wife where we go to Mexico, Haiti, Honduras, Ecuador, Uganda, Kenya and India.
What was it like growing up?
I come from a low middle class family, my parents were farmers and money lenders. I grew up in a small village known as a Bardoli, India, with only 10k people. We had very few resources, no library no sports no entertainment.
Why did you choose Cleveland?
When I came to US, I came to Champagne Illinois for your masters in electrical engineering. Then I got a job in Wisconsin. I worked there for 6 years then I went back to India for a few years. When I came back, 1970 I got a job in Wickliffe Ohio. Since then I’ve been in Cleveland.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I came with a dream, that they highways are paved with gold and life would be very easy and you can make lots of money. I never realized it would be a lot of hard work. My vision has changed, I’ve learned that if you’re willing to work hard the rewards are there. This is a free country you can enjoy freedom at every point and every place but you have to earn the respect of your community. You cannot be isolated in a cubby hole coming from a different country and expect and the community to be welcome, you have to get engaged and life and people will be very fair to you.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
- I grew up with British systems so my English was different from American English.
- I was a vegetarian I had a lot challenges selecting food once I arrived here. There wasn’t a lot of vegetarians in the 60’s
- I had to learn the basics of sports, I didn’t understand. It took me 4 or 5 years to get use to it.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
We have an Indian Association in Cleveland with 10k people and we follow Indian holidays. We have temples so we go regularly to practice our religion.
How have Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Cleveland is an amazing city. I was welcomed and able to engage with the white and minority community. That really helped me. They were cooperative and helped me professionally.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I love that Cleveland Cavs are the champions. I love the Indians, I followed a lot when they played at Jacobs Field. I love the Browns, the arts and museums. I love parade the circle.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Cleveland?
I love the local Indian and Mexican restaurants. They have spicy food. I go to Saffron Patch.
Why is it important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
Our country, USA is huge smorgasbord of immigrants. They bring so many ideas and energy to create jobs, create products, create wealth and that’s our main strength, the immigrant landscape.
Shamalee Lovelace
Where are you from?
My name is Shamalee Lovelace, I was born and raised in a small community known as Ritchies located in Clarendon, Jamaica.
What was it like growing up?
When people hear of Jamaica they think of the beaches and having a good time but that is not always the case. Jamaica was my home for 14 years of my life and I would not change that for anything. Growing up I have faced some hard times especially financially.
Example: 1st Jamaica high school system and above is not free, it requires tuition to attend.
2nd You need money to make uniforms, in which case, everyone is wearing the same color and style for school and it’s definitely mandatory.
3rd Bus fare, I would take 2 or 3 transportation to school and there is no such thing as bus pass like what we have in the United States. For each transportation ride, it requires separate payments.
4th Lunch money
Even though I grew up in a poor country, we Jamaicans are survivors. I grew up in a community of farmers (The most common occupation in Jamaica) and we eat what we grow. My family and I did not let anything bother us when hard times hit us, we continue to be “irie,” which means everything is all right. This is a motto that Jamaicans live by even when they might not have all the things they need or want, but we appreciate everything.
I grew up in a religious home where we practice Christianity. I also grew up in a strict home; Jamaican parents are by nature very strict. In my household on a school night my sister and I were unable to watch television or go out, because what we had to do for school was the most important thing in our parent eyes. They also expected us to do our chores such as, making our beds, washing the dishes, and sometimes cook. This type of behavior is normal for the typical Jamaican household.
Why did you #Choose CLE (what brought you to Cleveland)?
Coming to Cleveland was not by choice of my own. My Grandfather lived in Cleveland and he was the one who filed for both his 6 kids and 6 grandkids to come to Cleveland and live with him.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
My first thoughts coming to Cleveland was that it was so beautiful with the high rise buildings, good roads, lots of highway, and not to mention the amazing white snow. This was a change from the hot sun, the beaches, and nature (animals and trees).
My thoughts have not change but because I got so use to my surroundings I do not feel that wow factor anymore.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
I came to the US in February 2005 when I was 14; couple months before my 15th birthday. I was scared to be enrolled in the United States school system but unfortunately it was not hard to make friends. I came to realize that the Americans are very fascinated about my country Jamaica (the food, music, language, and especially the dancing). The only challenge I faced was that both the Americans and I had a very thick accent. Most of the time I have to repeat myself and vise-versa which makes me a bit irritated and uncomfortable to speak. I did not speak to my classmates for a year because of my thick Jamaican accent, which the Americans love but I was new and I wanted to get to know them better.
The transition was not so difficult to adjust to because Jamaicans do wear the same clothes as the Americans, Jamaicans do eat fast foods (we don’t rely on it however), and we speak the same language. The only big transition for me was relocating to a different country and making new friends.
What is your occupation?
I am an Administrative Assistant at the law firm of Margaret Wong and Associates, LLC.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
I feel welcomed by the Clevelanders because they love and embrace where I am from, they do not judge me they appreciate me, and they do not manipulate me they teach me.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
The traditions or customs I continue to practice are going to church most Sunday’s, have family gatherings, still eat Jamaican foods, speak the Jamaican language in the household (creole/patois), and listen to Jamaican music.
What do you love about Cleveland?
What I love about Cleveland is that it is very diverse, even though you can find that in every state. I love how passionate they are about sports and how it brings everyone close together. I also love Cleveland because it’s the only place I truly know and it’s my second home where all my family lives.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
There are many opportunities for those who are willing to make a better life for themselves here in the United States. Education is affordable and government assistance is available when it comes to housing and food and much more. America has the resources to help those in need and immigrants and refugees are no exception.
Immigrants and refugees are a very important part of America’s history and how they contribute to the growth of America. They are very driven and hardworking people who are trying to make a better life for themselves, their family, and for their future generations. They are human beings and they want the same goals as any Americans, so we should embrace them with open arms and treat them with the respect that they deserve.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
I think Cleveland is on the right track by showcasing diversity. Cleveland is a very “colorful” metropolis but it’s actually quite segregated. Everyone tends to stay on “their” side of town.
However, I have learned that Clevelanders have a spirit that is unbreakable and the love they have for their city is unmatched. They have gone through a lot over the years, from economic struggles to professional sports struggles and they still stand strong in their confidence and hope in their city. And that attitude is contagious.
There is a lot of criticisms and misconceptions about Cleveland and I adamantly found myself defending it. Cleveland has beautiful landscapes, fun parks, historical citing, wonderful schools, etc. Moreover, the city of Cleveland is full of courageous, loyal, and determining people; thus, makes Cleveland a more welcoming place to visit or lived.
Bernadine Van Kessel
Where are you from?
I am from the Netherlands (“Holland” is the other name for my country)
What was it like growing up?
Wonderful, the Netherlands is a very rich country and has a strong safety net with excellent healthcare and low-cost universities to name a few benefits
What brought you to Cleveland?
Initially an athletic scholarship to play D-1 field-hockey in college. I then returned to the Netherlands and came back again because my husband is American.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I came to Ohio with ambivalent feelings, life was good in my home country and I had no economic reason to immigrate. I consider myself more an “international” or “expat” than an “immigrant”. However, I have come to appreciate Northeast Ohio very much, people here are polite & easy going and the cost of housing is low
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
Ignorance:I have had to combat the notion that, somehow, I must have come from a disadvantaged country…. some people that are not well-educated and don’t travel internationally still view the US as the only viable nation to live a good life and do not realize that there are other great countries to live, work & play. People have options. The US is a great nation but there are other great countries to live as well.
What is your occupation?
I am an economic developer charged with promoting Northeast Ohio to the rest of the industrialized world to attract new foreign business investment
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Everyone has been very nice
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Many, including holidays, dining and cultural traditions. I helped found the Cleveland Dutch School for instance.
What do you love about Cleveland?
It has a rich industrial history and was the Silicone Valley of yester-year; the old industrial wealth & history of invention & innovation are remarkable and make Cleveland special
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
Stagnant water becomes putrid: new people from different parts of the world, willing to work hard & provide different ideas will enrich any community, especially those that have enjoyed a good education and can help transfer that knowledge and apply it locally
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
Truly embrace all internationals and include the expat community, not just those that came here for a better life
Alassane Fall
What is your name?
My name is Alassane Fall and I was named after my Mom's Dad
Where are you from?
Senegal, West Africa
What was it like growing up?
I grew up in a very safe, welcoming and pleasant environment. Senegal is a model of democracy in Africa and around the world. With 95% of the population Muslim and only 4% Christian, Senegal has elected for 20 straight years a Christian president. Senegal is known for “ TERANGA" meaning Hospitality in Wolof. Wolof is a lingua Franka, member of the Niger Congo language group. And Tolerance, Non-Violence and Peace (Jamm ReKK “ peace only”).
What brought you to Cleveland?
I had family in Cleveland; My wife MLF is from Cleveland so I came to join her after we got married in 2014 but I immigrated to the United States from Senegal in 2001. I obtained my degree in International Studies from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, in 2004 and went to teach at KU, Lawrence, Academie Lafayette MO and UNC, Chapel Hill. I have also been involved with the United Nations-Geneva, the Foreign Ministry of Senegal, the American Red Cross (NEO), the International Institute of Humanitarian Law-Italy, the International Services center of Cleveland and others.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I was excited to come to the US to further my studies in International Relations as a graduate student at the University of Kansas. I was really fascinated by the way that people identified themselves not as an american but as from their states and their schools. You could tell where people were from by there t-shirts ( Kansas, NC, Nebraska, OH) and their schools. CSU, Case Western Reserve University, KU, NC, etc.. I love the university alumni system. Is it what I thought it would be NO, I thought the whole country would be like “Hollywood-Red Carpet” but still, the United States of America is a great country. Something else that fascinates me is the infrastructures, roads and bridges, the artificial lakes, the parks, local and nationals. Conclusion, it’s a great country with great people with issues that need to be addressed.
What was your first impression of Cleveland?
I loved it very much because the people are very welcoming. My wife showed me Cleveland and explained the rich history and invention that has been done in Cleveland. The first time she took me to the public library, I found older documents from West Africa in French, it was memorable. Cleveland is an easy place to be in love with particularly downtown and Edgewater park. It’s a very fine city; I am glad I moved here. I remember also walking downtown wearing a NC shirt, and Cleveland police chief, Calvin Williams, stop, shook my hand and talked to me. After a short conversation, he said ”welcome to CLE, we need good people like you.” However, I use to confuse Euclid and Cleveland…Long story
What did you enjoy about Cleveland the most?
My wife, Edgewater park, the art institute -particularly “ Egypt Room”, University Circle, the cost of living, and the cultural diversity. Also, I like the fact that everyone call me coach. If you are looking for me in Cleveland, if you say ”coach” you have 80% of chance of finding me. I also love the Case Western Reserve University soccer field and the international community who plays there.
Anything you would like to say about Cleveland?
I am a Board of Trustees member- International Community Council- Worldwide -Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) of Northeast Ohio. One thing I am sure of, is that I am one of the best ambassadors that this city has. During the RNC, I gave two media interview this week with NPR LA and with Voice of America and praised the city.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
1. It was lonely at first, then the language barrier. Even though we have 36 languages, English is not one of them.
2. The food, I have learned to cook Senegalese food here since men don’t cook back home…
What are some cultural differences?
Community life versus individualism -I missed the tea gathering that I use to have with my friends and large family. Here it was just me and my wife but I had soccer at Case Western Reserve University and made countless friends. We have a very international and diverse group.
What is your occupation?
I am an International Consultant, a Lecturer, a Volunteer Coordinator, and a Public relations specialist, however, the title, I love the most is coach.
Why is Global Cleveland a great resource?
It connects Cleveland with the rest of the world; it globalizes Cleveland.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees and how can we make Cleveland a more welcoming place?
Immigrants and refugees enrich Cleveland in every single aspect. Interacting with an immigrant makes you a better person and makes him/her a better person as well. Having more cultural events, shows, summits, forums, local TV’s covering cultural events, guest speakers in educational institutions ( elementary school, HS, Universities….) and make sure that immigrants have access to find jobs.
Alex Gertsburg
Where are you from?
I was born in a town called Bender (pronounced Been-dair), which is in the country of Moldova, which borders Russia, Romania, Ukraine and the Black Sea.
What was it like growing up?
Tough to assimilate. Tried hard to. Hated being different.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I came over with my family in 1979 at the age of 4, settled in Cleveland along with thousands of other Soviet Jews who immigrated to Cleveland that year as part of a Soviet program that opened the gates for a limited period of time, and eventually and slowly (like most of my fellow immigrants) made the trek eastward from inner city East Cleveland to Cleveland Heights to South Euclid to Lyndhurst and then eventually Chagrin Falls (hard to go further east than that…).
What were your first thoughts about coming to America?
Did those change? Since I was only 4, all I could think about was fitting in. I recently wrote about it in a book I’ve been chipping away at for a few years: "That feeling of being different and being judged, meanwhile, would follow me for years. Most immigrants have felt it, and if you’re a kid, all you ever want to do is fit in, so you feel different and like a total idiot for years. And after awhile, after you’ve mimicked your friends well enough and watched enough tv and feel finally assimilated, and after you think your friends finally see you as one of them, as no different than them, and as you finally start getting into their stupid little made-up clubs and start getting invited to places, your parents show up. And they open their mouths and talk. And instantly everyone knows they’re immigrants, and they automatically know that you’re an immigrant, too. And there’s nothing in the world that will prevent you from feeling different because you are different and you’ll always be different. You’re certain you’ll never be one of them. You’ll never really be accepted. You’ll always be different. You’ll never really be in the club. And then after that tidal wave of shame washes over you for being different, a second, even greater tsunami of shame knocks you down for being ashamed of your parents, because deep down inside, although you hate them for sticking out like a sore thumb and outing you in front of your friends, you know they’re the greatest people in the world and would cut off their own arms and legs for you if that would make you feel more accepted."
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
Again, as a kid, it was all about assimilation. I learned the language pretty quickly. Our family had little money, though, so we went without the finer things for awhile. That was also a plus, though, as we learned growing up that you could survive just fine without those things.
What is your occupation?
I am a business lawyer and owner of the Gertsburg Law Firm. For more information visit: https://www.gertsburglaw.com
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Not sure. It’s been so long… I’m sure everyone was helpful though.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
We drink vodka! Seriously, though, we go to the various Russian restaurants in town pretty frequently. We stay close with other Russian friends that we’ve been friends with my whole life. We go to bar mitzvahs and weddings and funerals, all of which have their own Jewish and Russian rituals associated with them. My own family – my wife and 3 children – are not very religious and don’t maintain a lot of Russian traditions. My wife does more than I do anyway.
What do you love about Cleveland?
It’s growth in recent years. It’s “comeback” story. It’s lakeshore. It’s communities – Chagrin Falls, Tremont, Waterloo, downtown.
Why is Global Cleveland a great resource?
Networking and job listings are key for immigrants coming to the US. There is no question that making a living and feeding your family are top of mind for newcomers.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
Diversity, definitely. We live in a bubble. The best minds are those that expand their perspectives and apply different experiences. There is a reason why so many entrepreneurs are foreign-born, and why so many employers benefit from foreign-born employees.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
I would create a board made up entirely of business owners who immigrated here from abroad, have them meet once a month or once a quarter to brainstorm the answer to that question, then create specific action items and a 1-, 2- and 5-year strategic plan.
Azaad Singh
Where are you from?
Singapore
What was it like growing up?
Growing up in Singapore was exciting – racial riots, communist insurgency, independence, British withdrawal, industrialization, urbanization, rapid modernization, rigorous school system, compulsory military service, law and order, growth of an international financial center, one of the busiest ports in the world.
What brought you to Cleveland?
Cleveland is a small city and its suburban school system was good for my daughter.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
America is the center of the universe. It is heaven on earth. Everybody still wants to come to America, its dynamism, self-renewal, innovation and creativity through immigration keeps America young.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
Recognition of foreign law degree. Outdated system that makes it difficult for foreign law degree holders to stay. My degree was from United Kingdom. Still it was difficult.
What is your occupation?
Legal Assistant/Community Outreach Representative with Margaret Wong Immigration Law firm
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Generally, my fellow Clevelanders are very warm and welcoming. As a former elected official, I have made a number of house visits. They were all good.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Cleveland hosts two Gurudwaras, Sikh places of worship, in its suburbs of Bedford and Richfield. Richfield is the oldest in Ohio and Bedford is the largest. Interestingly, I became a born-again Sikh in Cleveland.
What do you love about Cleveland?
What is there not to love about Cleveland – RNC Convention, access to great lakes, Rock & Roll Museum, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, one of the oldest Chinatown in America, Cleveland Cavs, Lebron James, no traffic, snow.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
Cleveland needs immigrants, refugees and international students – our population has gone down from 1 million to less than 400k, also its aging; we need immigrants to reverse the increase in dependency ratio – more seniors depending on a declining workforce, we also need immigrants to attract high-tech industries, we need investors to create jobs for Americans, we need entrepreneurs to create jobs, we need international students to work in our STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics based industries. Look at the city’s regrowth in University Circle in a few years – expansion of CASE University with the recruitment of international students.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
Cleveland needs more international events like Indian International Film Festival to attract the biggest movie industry in the world, its Bollywood not Hollywood, which produces 1,000 movies per year to do location shooting here/we need international flights connecting to Asia, if we don’t want to miss the fruits of globalization/we need to hold events to attract immigrants like Cleveland International Soccer Competition and promote foreign languages in our school systems like Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Urdu, Farsi, Pashtoo, Tamil, Vietnamese, Thai.
Seyma Saritoprak
Where are you from?
My name is Seyma Saritoprak and I am from Istanbul ,Turkey.
What is your occupation?
PhD Student -at Case Western University-Clinical Psychology
What was it like growing up?
Growing up in the United States was a unique experience because I was not only from a different ethnic background, but also from a different faith background than the majority of the population. I would often get comments of questions regarding where I was from and what I believed in. At first I wanted to be like everyone else, however, as I grew up I realized the importance of diversity and took pride in my background. To this day, being different than others has positively influenced how I developed my identity as a Muslim woman living in the United States.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I came to Cleveland when I was in7th grade due to my father’s new job. Therefore, I did not have a say in coming to Cleveland. However, since the earliest days I have come to make great friendships and love Cleveland.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
When we first arrived to US, I was only 6 years old. I remember that everyone around me was speaking a different language that I could not understand. I felt scared at times but because of my connection with my family, I never felt alone. Gradually, I learned the English language and the American culture. My thoughts since childhood have definitely changed. I came to incorporate and assimilate the American views and values into my own beliefs and practices and became more comfortable with those around me.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
I would say the biggest challenge I have faced living in the United States as been living as female Muslim without feeling judged or associated with terrorism by others. Unfortunately, the media shows Muslims in such violent and hatred manners that some Americans have become fearful of Muslims. This only perpetuates polarization among individuals of different backgrounds. Nevertheless, I have noticed that the more people get to know me and my values, the more they realize how more alike we are than different. This gives me hope that through friendship and dialogue we can truly get to know one another.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Cleveland is a great city with people of many backgrounds. People are aware of the importance of diversity and are open in discussing global issues. I have felt very welcomed here in Cleveland. Because of the authenticity of friendship of Clevelanders, Cleveland has become my second home.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
First, because I am a practicing Muslim, I practice the things modesty in clothing and praying five times a day. In addition, we celebrate two major religious holidays every year. The first one is celebrating the end of Ramadan, which is the month in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This celebration is called eid al fitr. The second one we celebrate is the festival of the sacrifice which is calle id al adha. During these times, we get together with family and friends. We visit each other’s homes and celebrate the holidays together. And of course, we eat many delicious Turkish food!
What do you love about Cleveland?
What I love most about Cleveland is the people, food and Metroparks.
What is your favorite thing to do in Cleveland?
We love spending time at Edgewater park when the weather is nice. We go on walks and have picnics with families.
What is the best thing about living in Cleveland?
The best thing about living in Cleveland is that it has a city feeling, however, it’s not huge enough where you feel overwhelmed by the city life. It also has great suburbs that make Clevelanders have a taste of the country life.
Why is Global Cleveland a great resource?
Global Cleveland is great resource because it provides a platform from which people of varying backgrounds can connect and interact. Through organizations such as Global Cleveland, people have the opportunity to not only know more about a different faith or tradition, but also interact and create innovate ideas together to advance and globalize Cleveland.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
Immigrants and refugees can bring a sense of intellectual diversity. When we are around other that act, think, and look like us, we will never develop creative innovative ideas. However, when we bring people of different backgrounds into our cities and businesses, it opens up a whole array of opportunities to flourish as a city, both economically and culturally.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
I suggest promoting more interfaith and intercultural events. In addition, I suggest opening up business that promote getting to know different cultures such as more ethnic restaurants and shops!
Asim Datta
I moved to Cleveland in the summer of 1981 directly from one of the largest, and most densely populated, cities in the world – Kolkata (previously Calcutta) India. It was family connections that persuaded me to come to Cleveland.
Growing up was in a close-knit family of six, with four siblings – me being the youngest. It was a typical life in a big city, with plenty of global exposure. A good part of my education was in a school run by Belgian Jesuits, and that helped to acquire mastery of the English language, even American dialect. I was very familiar with culture and lifestyle in America long before I came to the US, through friendships with Americans and family connections, American literature and magazines, Hollywood movies and TV shows, sports, TGIF parties at the American consular residences, and so much more.
At first sight, Cleveland offered few shocks and surprises. I felt at home pretty quickly. Many people expressed surprise that I was a newcomer. Yes, I spoke with a different accent, but much of what I said was not outrageous.
The surprise was the physical landscape – taller buildings, wider streets, more cars, interstates and high speed traffic. Seemed like fewer poor people.
Interestingly, there were very few challenges as I settled in. I was fortunate to immerse myself into the local lifestyle very quickly. Not much adjustment needed. From the moment of my arrival in Cleveland, I was incredibly fortunate to walk through any door as a stranger, but pretty much coming out appreciated, understood and loved. I was struck by the warmth and welcome from most of my encounters. Life in Cleveland has truly been gratifying for me, to have been welcomed and included into the vast network of Clevelanders from all walks of life. So, today, I am a self appointed champion and ambassador for my hometown. I spread the values of living in Cleveland every opportunity I can create, encouraging migration.
When I first arrived in Cleveland, it was like a ghost town. Economy was bad; businesses and people were leaving in droves for better opportunities elsewhere. Poverty was such a challenge. Crime and safety were major concerns.
There were times when moving away would have made good economic sense for me personally. But I made discoveries that were so compelling that the thought of moving away quickly exited my thinking. First, the character of this community, warm friendliness, the compassionate and giving attitude, and the beauties of so many cultures in one place made me feel at home. I was different, but not really so!
And just as importantly, the priceless jewels that are the museums, the orchestra, cultural gardens, the Browns and the Cavs and the Indians, the theatre, comfortable lifestyle and manageable cost of living, the diverse population – it was all so overwhelmingly attractive. Add to that the optimism of the Clevelanders!! The forward looking spirit of the people. Together, we Clevelanders always believe in the hope for tomorrow. And the promises come true. The Cavs this year. Perhaps the Indians too?
It has been heart-warming, and a joy, to watch Cleveland grow over the years, the fire and the beauty re-emerging, the pride returning! Loyalty getting stronger. Today, it is all so personal.
I have spent almost all of the time in Cleveland, engaged in making difference in the lives of regular people. Worked in inner-city education. Owned and operated an international travel business. However, large portion of my life has been spent involved in Community building. Bringing people of many cultures together on a single platform to transform Cleveland into an attractive and desirable place to live.
As much as I have embraced and celebrated the beauty of the American culture, I have continued to practice most aspects of my Indian heritage. The large Indian community made that possible.
In order to continuing to make Cleveland a welcoming destination, we should, first and foremost, engage the entire community, in all its glorious diversity, to be part of the process of welcoming and settling of newcomers, in every conceivable way. The more the old and the new intermingle, the easier the understanding and appreciation of each other. Displaying and sharing of individual cultures uncover the skills and talents that benefit social and economic growth.
The strength of a hand comes from all five fingers TOGETHER!! Not all fingers are same but there is strength in each.
