Island of Hope, Island of Tears (DVD Print)

Summary

Dieses Video skizziert die Geschichte der zwölf Millionen Menschen, die durch Ellis Island kamen, um ihr neues Leben in Amerika zu beginnen. Es zeigt die harten Bedingungen ihrer Reise, die Hoffnung auf ein besseres Leben und die Herausforderungen, die sie auf der Suche nach Freiheit und Wohlstand überwinden mussten. Von der Abreise aus ihren Heimatländern bis zur Ankunft in Amerika, das Video stellt die emotionale Reise und die Schicksale der Einwanderer in den Mittelpunkt.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Über zwölf Millionen Menschen, darunter Männer, Frauen und Kinder, passierten auf ihrem Weg nach Amerika durch diese Räume und Korridore.
• 🎫 Hier kauften sie Tickets für tausend Orte in Amerika und tauschten ihre heimischen Währungen in US-Dollar um.
• 🎶 Sie sangen hier ihre ersten amerikanischen Lieder und feierten ihren ersten amerikanischen Christmas und Chanukkah.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Millionen von uns haben Verwandte, die diesen Weg eingeschlagen sind und in diesem Raum gesessen haben, als Teil der größten Migrationsgeschichte.
• 🚫 Einige wurden abgewiesen, aber selbst sie hinterließen ein Stück von sich in Amerika, um uns zu erinnern, warum sie so weit gereist sind.
• 🏭 In Europa gab es zunehmende Arbeitslosigkeit und Armut aufgrund von industrieller Wandel und politischem Unruhen, was zu einer Welle der Auswanderung nach Amerika führte.
• 🚢 Menschen aus Südeuropa versammelten sich in Hafenstädten, um auf Schiffe nach Amerika zu steigen, in der Hoffnung, ein besseres Leben zu finden.
• 🛳️ Die Einwanderer wurden in großen Einrichtungen für die Behandlung von Seuchen delokalisiert und warteten dann auf ihre Überfahrt.
• 🌆 Die Ankunft in Amerika war eine Mischung aus Erleichterung und Angst, mit der Aussicht auf ein neues Leben und die Möglichkeit der Abschiebung.
• 🏥 Ellis Island war der Ort, an dem die Einwanderer ihre letzte Prüfung ablegten, bevor sie in die Vereinigten Staaten einreisen konnten.
• 🏙️ Für die meisten war die Ankunft in Amerika der Beginn eines neuen Lebens, voller Hoffnung und Möglichkeiten, obwohl es auch Schwierigkeiten und Herausforderungen gab.

Q & A

Wie viele Menschen sind geschätzt durch dieses besondere Ort passiert?

Mehr als zwölf Millionen Menschen, darunter Männer, Frauen und Kinder, sind geschätzt diesen Weg genommen.

Wo haben die Menschen ihre Währungen getauscht?

Sie haben ihre Drachmen, Lire und Rubel hier in US-Dollar getauscht.

Was war eine der ersten Erfahrungen der Einwanderer in Amerika?

Einige von ihnen sangen ihre ersten amerikanischen Lieder und feierten ihre ersten amerikanischen Weihnachten und Chanukkas.

Woran erinnert der besondere Stille in diesen Räumen?

Der Stille erinnert an die Zeit, als diese Orte noch vom Leben der Menschen erfüllt waren, bevor sie leergefegt wurden.

Was war ein Hauptgrund für die Menschen, Amerika zu verlassen?

Industrieller Wandel und politische Unruhen führten zu Arbeitslosigkeit und Armut in Italien und Südeuropa.

Wie wurde die Reise mit den Schiffen nach Amerika beschrieben?

Die Reise konnte von einer Woche bis zu einem Monat dauern und war oft mit mangelnder Nahrung und unzureichender Unterkunft verbunden.

Was passierte mit den Einwanderern, die an Bord der Schiffe ankamen?

Sie wurden oft in steerage untergebracht, wo sie in engen, unhygienischen Bedingungen leben mussten.

Wie wurde Ellis Island für die Einwanderer?

Ellis Island wurde zu einem Legendenort in ihren Köpfen, der das erste Mal als Land angeblickt wurde, als sie Amerika erreichten.

Was war der Prozess, nachdem die Einwanderer Ellis Island erreicht hatten?

Sie mussten durch eine Reihe von Prüfungen gehen, einschließlich medizinischer Untersuchungen und Papierarbeiten, bevor sie in Amerika bleiben durften.

Was war das Schicksal derjenigen, die aufgrund von Gesundheitsproblemen abgewiesen wurden?

Diejenigen, die an Krankheiten wie Trachom erkrankt waren oder andere Gesundheitsprobleme zeigten, wurden fast sicherlich abgeschoben.

Wie fühlten sich die Einwanderer, nachdem sie die Erlaubnis erhalten hatten, Amerika betreten zu dürfen?

Sie fühlten sich wie in einem neuen Leben, voller Hoffnung und der Überzeugung, dass sie nun frei von der Armut und Unterdrückung ihres Herkunftslandes sein würden.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Die Reise beginnt: Aufbruch in die Neue Welt

Das Video eröffnet mit einer ergreifenden Schilderung von Millionen Menschen, die Europa verließen, um in den USA ein neues Leben zu beginnen. Die Passagen beschreiben das emotionale und kulturelle Erlebnis der ersten Schritte auf amerikanischem Boden, von der ersten amerikanischen Währung bis zu den ersten Festtagen. Es wird hervorgehoben, wie tief die Migration das Leben der Menschen beeinflusste und wie schwer der Abschied von der Heimat war. Die Erzählung verweist auch auf die wirtschaftlichen und politischen Gründe, die viele Europäer zur Auswanderung zwangen.

05:01

🚂 Der Weg zum Meer: Aufbruch in die Ungewissheit

Dieser Abschnitt beschreibt die beschwerliche Reise der Auswanderer zu den Häfen Nordeuropas, von denen sie nach Amerika übersetzen wollten. Viele hatten kaum Geld und waren auf Glück und Improvisation angewiesen. Die Bedingungen während der Reise waren oft erbärmlich, und die Einwanderer wurden wie Vieh behandelt. Angekommen in den großen Hafenstädten, gerieten sie in die Hände der Dampfschiffgesellschaften, die sie für die Überfahrt nach Amerika vorbereiteten.

10:03

⚓️ Die Überfahrt: Ein Meer der Hoffnung und Verzweiflung

Die Überfahrt nach Amerika war für viele Einwanderer eine Strapaze, geprägt von Seekrankheit, beengten Verhältnissen und mangelnder Hygiene. Der Wunsch, endlich in Amerika anzukommen, wuchs, je länger die Reise dauerte. Die Beschreibung der Einwanderer, die das erste Mal die Skyline von New York erblickten, vermittelt das Gefühl von Erleichterung und Staunen, während sie sich gleichzeitig auf das Unbekannte vorbereiteten.

15:03

🏛 Ellis Island: Der große Test

In diesem Abschnitt wird die Ankunft auf Ellis Island beschrieben, wo die Einwanderer sich einer strengen Inspektion unterziehen mussten. Die Angst vor Ablehnung und Deportation war allgegenwärtig, da die US-Behörden nur gesunde und arbeitsfähige Menschen ins Land lassen wollten. Für viele bedeutete dies eine lange und nervenaufreibende Wartezeit, während sie auf ihre endgültige Entscheidung warteten.

20:04

📜 Die letzte Hürde: Der Einwanderungstest

Die endgültige Prüfung, ob jemand in die USA einreisen durfte, fand am Registrierungsdesk statt. Hier mussten die Einwanderer beweisen, dass sie finanziell abgesichert waren und keine Gefahr für die Gesellschaft darstellten. Die emotionale Erleichterung, als sie endlich den Satz 'Sie können gehen' hörten, markierte das Ende einer langen und beschwerlichen Reise. Trotz der vielen Herausforderungen hatten sie nun das Tor zu einem neuen Leben durchschritten.

25:06

🇺🇸 Der amerikanische Traum: Ein neues Leben beginnt

Der letzte Abschnitt des Videos reflektiert die tiefen Emotionen der Einwanderer, als sie endlich in Amerika angekommen waren. Für viele bedeutete dies die Erfüllung eines Traums, die Möglichkeit, ein Leben in Freiheit und Würde zu führen, das in Europa nicht möglich gewesen war. Es wird auch die Hoffnung hervorgehoben, die Einwanderer in ein besseres Leben setzten, frei von den Entbehrungen und dem Missbrauch, den sie in ihrer Heimat erlebt hatten.

Keywords

💡Einwanderung

Einwanderung bezieht sich auf den Prozess, Menschen aus einem Land in ein anderes zu bringen, insbesondere aus Gründen wie Arbeitsmöglichkeiten oder der Suche nach einem besseren Leben. Im Video wird dies durch die Geschichten der Menschen illustriert, die von Europa aus in die USA strömen, um ein neues Leben zu beginnen.

💡Ellis Island

Ellis Island war ein wichtiger Einwanderungsort in der Nähe von New York City, der für die Aufnahme und Verarbeitung von Einwanderern aus der ganzen Welt bekannt war. Im Video wird Ellis Island als das Ziel vieler dieser Einwanderer beschrieben, die hoffen, in Amerika ein neues Leben zu beginnen.

💡Armut

Armut ist eine wirtschaftliche Lage, in der Menschen nicht über ausreichend Ressourcen verfügen, um grundlegende Bedürfnisse zu decken. Im Video wird die Armut als ein Hauptmotiv für die Einwanderung aus Europa in die USA dargestellt, da Menschen nach besseren Lebensbedingungen suchen.

💡Dokumente

Dokumente sind formelle Papiere, die Informationen wie Identität, Herkunft und rechtliche Zustimmungen enthalten. Im Video sind Dokumente von zentraler Bedeutung, da sie für die Einreise in die USA und die Entscheidung über die Aufnahme oder Abschiebung von Einwanderern notwendig sind.

💡Gesundheitsuntersuchungen

Gesundheitsuntersuchungen sind medizinische Prüfungen, die darauf abzielen, die körperliche Integrität und die Möglichkeit einer Infektionsübertragung zu bewerten. Im Kontext des Videos werden Gesundheitsuntersuchungen genutzt, um zu bestimmen, ob Einwanderer in die USA einreisen können oder ob sie aufgrund von Krankheiten zurückgeschickt werden müssen.

💡Trennungen

Trennungen beziehen sich auf die physische oder emotionale Trennung von Personen, was oft durch Zwang oder Notsituationen verursacht wird. Im Video wird die Trennung von Familienmitgliedern als eine der großen emotionalen Herausforderungen dargestellt, die Einwanderer auf ihrem Weg in das neue Land erleben.

💡Steerage

Steerage bezieht sich auf die untere Klasse auf Schiffen, die für die Überfahrt von Einwanderern verwendet wurde. Es war bekannt für seine engen, unhygienischen Bedingungen. Im Video wird Steerage als eine der vielen Härten beschrieben, die Einwanderer auf ihrem Weg nach Amerika ertragen mussten.

💡Wirtschaftliche Möglichkeiten

Wirtschaftliche Möglichkeiten beziehen sich auf die Chancen, Arbeit zu finden und ein Einkommen zu erzielen. Im Video wird Amerika als ein Ort dargestellt, der wirtschaftliche Möglichkeiten bietet, was viele Menschen aus armen oder politisch instabilen Gebieten in Europa anzieht.

💡Kulturelle Anpassung

Kulturelle Anpassung ist der Prozess, wie Menschen sich an die Kultur und die Lebensweise eines neuen Landes anpassen. Im Video wird dies durch die Erfahrungen der Einwanderer thematisiert, die sich an die amerikanische Kultur und an die neuen Herausforderungen anpassen müssen, die mit der Einwanderung einhergehen.

💡Familienbande

Familienbande beziehen sich auf die emotionalen und sozialen Verbindungen zwischen Familienmitgliedern. Im Video wird die Bedeutung von Familienbanden hervorgehoben, da sie den Einwanderern Trost und Unterstützung bieten, während sie mit den Schwierigkeiten des Einwanderungsprozesses konfrontiert sind.

Highlights

Over twelve million immigrants passed through rooms and corridors that once buzzed with human life.

Immigrants exchanged their native currencies for dollars to start their new lives in America.

Many experienced their first American Christmas and Hanukkah within these walls.

Immigrants waited for permission to move on to the new land, hoping to start anew.

Some were turned away, but they left a part of themselves in America, influencing future generations.

Leaving home was a heart-wrenching decision for many, with loved ones making it harder.

Industrial change and political unrest in Europe led to increased joblessness and poverty, prompting migration.

Immigrants from Southern European ports like Naples, Piraeus, Trieste, and Constantinople boarded ships to America.

Some were temporary migrants, seeking work and planning to return, while others sought permanent lives.

In Eastern Europe,除了贫困，还有政府征兵和警察迫害等其他原因促使人们向往美国。

Immigrants faced arduous journeys, sometimes without tickets, relying on luck.

The conditions on the trains were likened to carrying livestock, reflecting the inhumane treatment.

Upon reaching the great port cities of Northern Europe, immigrants entered a new world, facing the hands of the steamship companies.

Immigrants were processed in large facilities designed to house, feed, and process thousands at a time.

Steamship companies operated on the principle of profit in numbers, with long journeys in steerage class.

The journey across the sea was filled with challenges, from limited food to the lack of proper sanitation.

Upon arrival, the sight of the New York skyline was a breathtaking and emotional moment for many.

Immigrants faced further processing at Ellis Island, including health checks and interviews.

The fear of rejection and deportation was ever-present, as immigrants underwent rigorous medical inspections.

Ellis Island was a place of hope and despair, with immigrants clinging to their possessions and dreams.

The process at Ellis Island was quick for most, but the wait was filled with anxiety and uncertainty.

Immigrants faced a final test at the registry desk, where their fate to enter America was decided.

The successful passage through Ellis Island was a moment of joy and relief, as the door to America finally opened.

Immigrants looked forward to a new life in America, free from the degradation and abuse they had experienced in Europe.

Transcripts

[ OPENING MUSIC PLAYS ]

Narrator: OVER TWELVE MILLION MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN

PASSED THIS WAY,

PASSED THROUGH ROOMS AND CORRIDORS

HAUNTED WITH A SPECIAL STILLNESS WHICH REMAINS ONLY IN PLACES

ONCE NOISY WITH HUMAN LIFE.

HERE THEY BOUGHT TICKETS

FOR A THOUSAND PLACES IN AMERICA.

HERE THEY TRADED THEIR DRACHMAS, THEIR LIRAS,

AND THEIR RUBLES, FOR DOLLARS.

HERE THEY SANG THEIR FIRST AMERICAN SONGS,

EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST AMERICAN CHRISTMAS,

AND HANUKKAH.

HERE THEY WAITED TO BE GIVEN PERMISSION

TO PASS OVER TO THE NEW LAND.

TENS OF MILLIONS OF US

HAVE RELATIVES WHO CAME THIS WAY,

SAT IN THIS ROOM,

PART OF THE LARGEST HUMAN MIGRATION IN HISTORY.

OF THE MANY WHO CAME,

SOME WERE TURNED AWAY.

BUT EVEN THEY WOULD LEAVE PART OF THEMSELVES IN AMERICA,

TO REMIND US WHY THEY HAD COME SO FAR,

WHY THEY HAD MADE THE JOURNEY.

Woman: YOU NEVER KNOW HOW HARD IT WAS TO LEAVE HER.

THAT WAS THE HARDEST THING I THINK I EVER HAD TO DO.

Man: SHE SAID IF YOU LEAVE,

WHY, I DON'T EVER WANT YOU TO COME BACK AGAIN.

Woman: LONG HARD LIFE

IT WAS.

Narrator: EUROPE HAD ALWAYS LOST ITS CHILDREN TO AMERICA,

AND NOW THERE WERE NEW REASONS TO LEAVE.

INDUSTRIAL CHANGE AND POLITICAL UNREST

HAD BROUGHT INCREASED JOBLESSNESS

AND POVERTY TO ITALY AND SOUTHERN EUROPE,

AND REACHING AS FAR NORTH AS THE INDUSTRIAL CITIES

OF POLAND AND RUSSIA.

IN AMERICA, THEY WERE SAYING, THERE WAS A FUTURE,

PERHAPS A FORTUNE TO BE MADE.

IN THE SOUTHERN EUROPEAN PORTS

OF NAPLES, PIRAEUS,

TRIESTE, AND CONSTANTINOPLE,

THEY GATHERED TO BOARD THE SHIPS TO AMERICA.

SOME WERE BIRDS OF PASSAGE,

LEAVING TO SEEK WORK AND RETURN.

OTHERS WITH HOPES TO FIND AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY

THE GOOD, PERMANENT LIFE THAT AWAITED,

THEY WERE TOLD, THREE THOUSAND MILES ACROSS THE SEA.

IN THE RURAL AREAS OF EASTERN EUROPE,

THEY HAD, IN ADDITION TO POVERTY,

OTHER REASONS TO LOOK TO AMERICA.

THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING YOUNG BOYS TO THE ARMY.

IN A MOTHER'S LIFETIME SHE MIGHT NOT SEE HIM AGAIN.

AND ALWAYS THERE WAS THE POLICE,

THE HISTORIC PERSECUTOR OF THE ARMENIAN,

SLOVAK, AND JEW.

Woman: YOU KNOW WHAT I SEE NOW,

I SEE THE PEASANT WITH A WAGON AND HAY

TO TAKE ME, TAKE ME AWAY.

THE WHOLE TOWN WAS AROUND MY WAGON.

EVERYBODY CAME TO SAY GOODBYE.

I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SAY GOODBYE.

Man: POLAND, RUSSIA, ROMANIA,

AND EVERYBODY JUST WANTED

TO GET OUT OF THERE.

[ TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS ]

Narrator: MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE RAILHEADS,

THEY SOUGHT PASSAGE TO THE SEA.

SOME HAD MONEY FOR THE JOURNEY

AND SOME DID NOT.

BUT TURNING BACK WAS SELDOM AN ALTERNATIVE.

Man: I DIDN'T PAY NO TICKET.

GET ON A TRAIN

AND PRAY FOR LUCK.

Man: THEY CARRIED US JUST LIKE

YOU WOULD CARRY A LOAD, A BUNCH OF PIGS.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO MOVE A BUNCH OF CALVES,

A BUNCH OF PIGS, WOULD YOU PUT THEM IN A PASSENGER CAR?

THAT'S THE WAY THEY LOOKED AT US.

[ TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS ]

Narrator: FOR MANY,

ENTERING THE GREAT PORT CITIES OF NORTHERN EUROPE

WAS LIKE ENTERING A NEW WORLD.

THEY HAD REACHED THE SEA,

AND THE IMMIGRANT WAS NOW

IN THE HANDS OF THE STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

[ SHIP'S HORN BLOWS ]

IMMIGRANTS FROM THE EAST AND NORTH SWARMED INTO BREMEN,

ANTWERP, HAMBURG, AND LIVERPOOL,

TO BE PROCESSED FOR THE PASSAGE TO AMERICA.

THEY STOOD IN LINE TOGETHER,

THOSE WHO SAW AMERICA AS AN ADVENTURE,

WITH THOSE WHO SAW AMERICA AS A BEACON OF HOPE.

IT WAS A BUSINESS OF NUMBERS,

AN OPERATION DESIGNED TO HOUSE, FEED, AND PROCESS

FOUR THOUSAND PEOPLE AT A TIME,

TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHOM AMERICAN AUTHORITIES

MIGHT REJECT AND RETURN TO EUROPE AT STEAMSHIP EXPENSE.

Woman: FIRST THING THEY DO WITH YOU IS DELOUSE YOU.

LOOK YOUR HAIR ALL OVER.

YOUR HAIR, IF THERE WAS A NIT IN YOUR HAIR THEY WOULD--

YOU WOULD HAVE TO SHAMPOO IT.

Narrator: FEARING EPIDEMICS, HUGE FACILITIES WERE ESTABLISHED

TO FUMIGATE CLOTHING, BAGGAGE, AND PEOPLE.

PROCESSED AND TICKETED,

THEY WAITED FOR THEIR SHIP.

[ SHIP'S HORN BLOWS ]

THEY BOARDED IN MANY PARTS OF EUROPE

AND IN MANY KINDS OF VESSELS,

MOST TO NEW YORK AND SOME TO OTHER PORTS.

BUT THEY HAD ONE THING IN COMMON.

THEY WERE TRAVELING STEERAGE,

AND THE STEAMSHIP COMPANIES

UNDERSTOOD THE PROFIT IN NUMBERS.

[ SHIP'S HORN BLOWS ]

THEY BEGAN A JOURNEY THAT COULD LAST FROM A WEEK TO A MONTH.

[ SHIP'S HORN BLOWS ]

Woman: THAT WAS THE LAST TIME IT EVER RAN AGAIN.

THAT WAS THE LAST TRIP SHE MADE.

SHE SHOULD HAVE NEVER MADE THAT ONE EITHER.

Narrator: FOR SOME IT WOULD BE A VOYAGE WITHOUT INCIDENT.

FOR OTHERS, THE CROSSING WOULD PROVIDE DAYS FOR WHICH

THEY WERE ILL PREPARED.

Man: THEY GAVE US A TIN PLATE,

WITH A FORK AND A SPOON,

A CUP OF SOUP

AND NOT MUCH BREAD.

FIFTEEN DAYS.

Man: THERE WAS ALL ONE BIG ROOM.

IT WAS IN THE CELLAR.

THERE WAS LITTLE LIGHTS GOING ON THERE ALL THE TIME.

LITTLE LIGHTS.

WE WERE RIDING IN THE STEERAGE,

LIKE ANIMALS.

Woman: YOU COULD SEE A LOT OF WATER,

BUT WE DIDN'T SEE THE SKY.

NO SKY.

Narrator: TO ESCAPE THE THROBBING ENGINES

AND THE ODOR OF SPOILED FOOD, THOSE WITH BLANKETS

CAME ON DECK FOR AIR.

Man: SHE WAS SICK ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE TOILETS WERE

AND SO THEY HAD TO USE THE--

IT WAS A TERRIBLE LIFE.

Woman: I PRAYED ONE NIGHT

THAT THAT SHIP WOULD GO DOWN.

IT WAS SO HORRIBLE.

IT HAD TO STOP FOR AWHILE FOR SOME,

YOU KNOW, THE WAVES WAS WASHING--

I WAS VERY SICK.

OH, GOD, I PRAYED IT WOULD GO DOWN.

Man: THERE WAS ONLY ONE THING IN MY MIND.

I WANTED TO GET OUT OF THERE,

AND TO COME TO AMERICA.

Man: IT APPEARED,

LIKE IN A FOG.

AND EVERYBODY WENT OVER TO THE RAILING.

JUST ADMIRING.

Man: I THOUGHT I WAS-- I THOUGHT I WAS IN HEAVEN.

MY GOD, THIS--

IS THIS A CITY ON EARTH

OR IS THIS A CITY IN HEAVEN?

I'D NEVER SEEN A BUILDING LIKE THAT.

BUT BEAUTIFUL.

I HAD TO CRY.

Woman: EVERYBODY WAS JUST WAITING TO GET OFF THAT,

STANDING, WAITING TO GET OFF THAT SHIP.

[ SHIP'S HORN BLOWS ]

Woman: YOU WERE JUST WONDERING WHERE YOU WERE COMING TO

OR WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU.

YOU KNOW, IN YOUR MIND.

[ SHIP'S HORN BLOWS ]

Narrator: STILL SEPARATED FROM THE FIRST CLASS

AND CABIN PASSENGERS WHO WERE PROCESSED

BY IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS ON BOARD,

THE IMMIGRANT FROM STEERAGE

WAITED YET ANOTHER BOAT RIDE,

THIS ONE FROM THE HUDSON RIVER PIER

TO AN ISLAND IN THE UPPER BAY.

CROWDED INTO BARGES AND FERRIES, THEY APPROACHED THE PLACE

THAT HAD BECOME A LEGEND IN THEIR MIND.

Woman: I COULDN'T GET MY EYES OFF THAT.

IT'S GREAT.

I WAS KIND OF GLAD TO SEE ELLIS ISLAND,

AS BAD AS IT WAS.

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE ANY KIND OF LAND,

IT WAS.

Woman: ACCORDING TO THE HOUSES I LEFT IN MY TOWN,

THIS WAS LIKE--

LIKE A WHOLE CITY,

THAT I ALMOST FELT SMALLER THAN I AM.

Man: AND WHEN I CAME THROUGH THESE DOORS

I SAW ALL THESE PEOPLE THERE, I FIGURED, WELL,

I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO STAY HERE FOR GOOD PROBABLY,

BECAUSE, ALL THESE PEOPLE,

WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE?

AND NOBODY WAS HAPPY.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

Woman: I HAD A COAT AND A DRESS

AND A PAIR OF SHOES,

THAT'S IT.

Man: ONE SUITCASE I HAD WITH ME

AND ABOUT--

ABOUT FIFTY DOLLARS I GUESS.

Woman: MY BASKET--MY LITTLE BASKET,

THAT'S ALL I HAD WITH ME.

YOU WERE LUCKY TO HAVE THE ONE.

Man: WE HAD NO OTHER POSSESSIONS BUT THAT.

WE HAD NO BAGGAGE.

WE HAD NOTHING.

Woman: NOTHING EXCEPT THE CLOTHES.

WE HAD NOTHING.

Narrator: CLINGING TO THEIR POSSESSIONS,

THEY ENTERED THE GREAT BUILDING

AND CLIMBED THE STAIRS.

Woman: JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH, I SAYS, WHERE AM I?

Man: THEY WOULD COME RIGHT IN

TO THE BIG HALL,

AND THERE THEY WERE TOLD TO SIT AND STAY THERE,

AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY WERE.

IT WAS A NEW LAND BUT THEY HADN'T BEEN IN LAND--

IT WAS JUST A BIG HALL.

AND ALL YOU COULD GET WAS TEARS

AND CRYING OF THE CHILDREN.

Narrator: FOR THE VAST MAJORITY,

THE PROCESS WOULD LAST LESS THAN A DAY.

BUT NOW THEY WAITED,

THOSE FROM EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST,

WITH THOSE WHO HAD ARRIVED FROM THE CARIBBEAN.

THOSE WHO WERE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY

TO COME TO AMERICA

WITH THOSE WHO WOULD BE MET.

THOSE WHO CAME TO MAKE MONEY AND RETURN,

WITH THOSE WHO WERE DETERMINED

NEVER TO RETURN.

Man: SO THEY ALL HAD

THIS FEAR, THIS WORRY.

THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT POLICE,

'CAUSE THEY WERE ALWAYS CHECKED IN THE OTHER COUNTRIES.

Man: THE WORD "GOVERNMENT" FRIGHTENED ME.

GOVERNMENT WAS TYRANNY,

GOVERNMENT WAS OFFICERS WHO

LOOKED AT YOU WITH THE SENSE THAT THEY WANTED

TO HATE YOU OR ELIMINATE YOU,

AND THE IDEA THAT THERE IS DEMOCRACY

OR THAT THE POLICEMEN WILL HELP YOU

WAS VERY NEW TO ME.

A POLICEMAN, TO ME,

WAS SOMEONE WHO COULD CUT MY HEAD OFF.

Man: THAT WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS THING

FOR EVERYBODY TO GO THROUGH--

THE EYES.

Narrator: TRACHOMA,

THE DREADED DISEASE OF THE IMMIGRANT,

THE DIAGNOSIS FOR WHICH COULD LEAD

TO ALMOST CERTAIN DEPORTATION.

Woman: IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY PUT A CHALK MARK HERE,

A CHALK MARK THERE.

Narrator: THOSE IDENTIFIED

TO BE SET ASIDE FOR POSSIBLE REJECTION REPRESENTED

A SMALL PERCENTAGE EXAMINED EACH DAY.

BUT THIS WAS LITTLE CONSOLATION TO A FAMILY SEPARATED.

Woman: YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO KNOW THE PEOPLE,

BUT YOU KNOW THAT SOMEBODY'S MISSING.

THE AGONY THEY WENT THROUGH.

SO YOU KNOW THAT SOMEBODY'S MISSING IN THE FAMILY.

Man: ALL OF A SUDDEN THE THOUGHT,

MY GOODNESS, THEY'RE SEPARATING US,

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE POLICE ALWAYS DID.

THEY SEPARATED THE MEN FROM THE WOMEN,

AND THEN TOOK CARE OF THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

AS LONG AS SOME MEMBER OF THE FAMILY,

SOME LOVING MEMBER

OF THE FAMILY WAS WITH YOU, LIFE WAS TOLERABLE.

YOU LIVED IN A RELATIONSHIP OF FAMILY LOVE.

EVEN THOUGH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY,

YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY WERE, YOU COULD CONVERSE,

YOU COULD PLAN, YOU COULD WARM EACH OTHER.

Woman: I HAD A FEELING THAT I'M LEFT ALL ALONE.

IT'S A TERRIBLE FEELING.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WERE GONE.

[ COUGHING ]

Narrator: AMERICA DID NOT WANT THE BURDEN

OF AN UNHEALTHY IMMIGRANT.

AMERICA WANTED A PERSON WHO COULD MAKE A LIVING

AND WAS NOT BRINGING INTO THE COUNTRY

AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

Woman: AND THEY LOOKED YOUR BACK OVER

AND YOUR LUNGS AND YOUR HEART

AND YOUR EVERYTHING.

AND YOU WERE SENT FROM ONE TO THE OTHER.

ONE DOCTOR TO THE OTHER.

Woman: AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WAS PUT AWAY ON THE SIDE.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE BEEN SENT BACK.

Man: PEOPLE WERE REJECTED BECAUSE THEY SHOWED

OUTWARD SIGNS OF ILLNESS,

WHAT THEY CONSIDERED MENTAL DIFFICULTIES.

WE DIDN'T CALL IT PSYCHIATRY, THEY CALLED IT NEUROLOGY.

AND WE SAID, WE'RE SORRY.

AND THE SHIP THAT BROUGHT THEM HAD TO TAKE THEM BACK.

THAT WAS A TRAGEDY.

Man: I DECIDED THAT IF THEY EVER HAVE TO SEND ME BACK,

I'LL JUMP DOWN IN THE WATER.

I'LL NEVER GO BACK TO RUSSIA.

I NEVER WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN.

Narrator: BUILT FOR FIFTEEN HUNDRED,

THE DINING ROOM OFTEN FED THREE THOUSAND.

Man: THERE WOULD BE DISHES AND FORKS AND KNIVES

AND WHITE NAPKINS.

LONG TABLES, WELL SET,

BUT WHEN THE PEOPLE WENT IN, IT WAS LIKE--LIKE CHAOS.

THEY HANDED US FOOD.

FOOD WAS NOT SOMETHING PEOPLE GAVE YOU.

I DIDN'T LIKE IT,

BUT THEN I TASTED IT AGAIN.

I NEVER HAD SEEN A BANANA BEFORE.

Man: TO ME THE WHITE BREAD WAS LIKE CAKE ALREADY.

Narrator: AT NIGHT ELLIS SERVED AS A DORMITORY FOR THOUSANDS,

WAITING THE NEW DAY.

EACH MORNING THE GREAT HALL WOULD FILL

AND THE NOISE WOULD BEGIN AGAIN.

HOPEFULLY THEIR PAPERS WERE IN ORDER:

A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH,

A LETTER FROM A RELATIVE

GUARANTEEING THEY WOULD NOT BECOME A PUBLIC CHARGE,

PROOF THAT THEY WERE NOT A CONTRACT LABORER

OR A DANGEROUS ALIEN.

IN ADJACENT ROOMS THE DETAINED WERE GIVEN ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY

AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR CASE.

BUT EXCEPTING AN APPEAL TO WASHINGTON,

THE BOARD OF INQUIRY

WAS THE REJECTED IMMIGRANT'S LAST CHANCE.

THROUGH AN INTERPRETER,

THEY DID THEIR BEST TO PERSUADE AND TO OVERCOME THE COMPLEXITIES

OF A CHANGING IMMIGRATION LAW.

BUT IT WAS IN THE GREAT HALL WHERE THE VAST MAJORITY

FACED THEIR FIRST AND THEIR LAST TEST.

IN HIS HAND THE MAN AT THE REGISTRY DESK

HELD THE SHIP'S MANIFEST.

IN HIS POWER, THE RIGHT TO INTERPRET QUESTIONS

INTENDED TO IDENTIFY THOSE

WHO SHOULD BE LET IN OR KEPT OUT.

Man: I DIDN'T KNOW A WORD OF ENGLISH.

Man: I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND ENGLISH, NOT ONE WORD.

FIRST QUESTION, "HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU GOT?"

Woman: YOU HAD TO HAVE FIVE POUNDS.

MY FATHER, I REMEMBER, GAVE ME THAT FIVE POUNDS.

Woman: DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG-- IT TOOK A COUPLE OF YEARS,

TWO AND THREE YEARS TO GET THAT TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.

Woman: MY MOTHER, WHEN WE GOT NEARER

AND THE PERSON AT THE DESK CALLED OUR NAMES,

MY MOTHER TURNED TO ME, SHE SAYS,

"I WAS NEVER HERE, HOW DOES SHE KNOW MY NAME?"

I SAID, IT'S ALL RIGHT, MA, SHE KNOWS IT.

Man: THEY ASKED FOR MY NAME AND I TOLD THEM "LICHT"

AND THEY SAY, "HOW DO YOU SPELL IT?"

WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SPELL IT

AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT,

AND THEY SPELLED IT L-I-C-H-T.

I SAID, IT'S ALL RIGHT FOR ME,

I DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

Man: BUT THEN THEY SAID, "ALL RIGHT, YOU CAN GO."

Man: "YOU'RE FREE TO GO, TO HOBOKEN."

YEAH.

Narrator: THERE WOULD STILL BE QUESTIONS

OF WHAT FOOD TO BUY FOR THE RAILROAD TRIP TO CHICAGO

OR THE BOAT TRIP TO BOSTON.

THERE WAS STILL THE STRANGE NAMES,

THE STRANGE NUMBERS, AND THE FEAR OF LOSING ONE'S MONEY.

THERE WAS THE PROCESS OF BUYING A TICKET,

TO PLACES WITH UNPRONOUNCEABLE NAMES

LIKE "PITTSBURGH," "HAMTRAMCK," AND "KEOKUK."

BUT THOSE WERE DETAILS.

THE ISLAND HAD PASSED THEM THROUGH.

THE DOOR TO AMERICA HAD OPENED.

Man: IT WAS AS IF GOD'S GREAT PROMISE

HAD BEEN FULFILLED.

Man: I'M GOING INTO A FREE LAND.

I DON'T THINK I EVER CAN EXPLAIN

THAT FEELING THAT I HAD THAT TIME.

THERE ISN'T SUCH A THING TO BE EXPLAINED.

IT CAME OUT OF MY SYSTEM.

IT'S OVER.

Man: IT'S NOT MY NATIVE LAND,

BUT IT MEANS MORE TO ME THAN MY NATIVE LAND.

IT MEANS MORE TO ME

THAN MY NATIVE LAND.

Man: ANY COUNTRY ON EARTH--

THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN--

AND BECOME A HUMAN BEING AGAIN.

IT'S A MIRACLE.

Woman: I'M GLAD I'M HERE.

COULDN'T BE ANY BETTER, COULD IT?

Man: AND EVERYBODY HAD HOPES

AND ONE THING I WAS SURE AND THOUSANDS LIKE ME,

THAT THE DEGRADATION,

THE ABUSE,

AND THE PRIVATION THAT WE HAD IN EUROPE,

WE WOULDN'T HAVE HERE.

Man: OH, GOD, YES,

HOPING FOR CENTURIES.