Senior Thesis

Senior Thesis Project by Ashley E. Osorio 

Over the span of a few months, I met many wonderful Latino business owners and workers who were willing to share their stories with me. I conducted small interviews with each of them focused on what reasons or dreams led to them sacrificing so much in order to be in the United States. Unfortunately, we are living in a time where the media influences our perceptions of others, and discrimination and prejudiced judgments have been normalized towards people of color. I believe if you are willing to spare a few minutes to hear someone’s story, you’d realize how much we all have in common as human beings. 

Interview 1 

Interviewer: What is your story of how you or your family came to be in the United States, and why did you or your family decide to leave your country? 

Speaker: So, we’re from Chicago but my dad is from Mexico, and he came to the United States at 15 and he worked as a cook until 18 he had two jobs: cook and dishwasher. We never ever planned to have a business, and it was always him cleaning cooking restaurants, restaurants, dishwasher, restaurants. And so one day the restaurant closed and he had to find a new job and it was a truck driving job and that's where we were involved in Hispanic products and we imported our moles or snacks or chips and he always had a dream of opening up a store but time wasn't always right It was always difficult for us and me going to school was always hard. Passing time, we came to the 7-mile fair, and we just brought two bags of chips and asked Hey, you know what? Can we sell here? And since then, we’ve been here since 2012. 

Interviewer: Now that your family has this own business and has accomplished to move forward in life, do you think your dad feels he has succeeded in having what many consider an American Dream, or do you think there are still aspirations for more? 

Speaker: We always talk about more in the future because as a businessperson you can't ever stay, but him pursuing his dream, I would say yes, and I would say no. Yes, because when he came here his goal was always to be available to support his parents and sadly, he couldn’t because his mom passed away before he could even accomplish anything. So, it was hard for him to get comfortable with what he could do now the reason why he wanted a store was because of my grandma. My Grandma always wanted a store, and it was her dream. So, the idea of a store came from my grandma, when you come here you come to work and everything you work for is for the family, and now we’re here but we’re missing the person who we’re here for. 

Interviewer: During these difficult times in the United States, if you or your dad were able to make your voice be heard, what is something you would want to say to those who judge and wrongfully discriminate against our community in order for them to consider our perspectives? 

Speaker: I would say what they always say, you can’t judge a book by its cover. You can’t just judge someone without really knowing who we are. Honestly it can be hard because as much as they hate us we hate them, but all I have to say is, if you eat our food and like our culture then you can’t judge us. 

Interviewer: What is your story of how you came to be in the United States? 

Speaker: I came because I married my husband who was a resident here. He lived here so I came to live with him. That is the main reason I came to be with him. It wasn’t necessarily for an American Dream but thanks to God for the opportunities I have had in life, I came with my daughter. I started working here shortly after arriving in this little area and that is how the business started here.

Interviewer: How did you come about owning your business in selling formal clothing such as dresses? 

Speaker: Well, when I was a little girl I had the dream of having a business, and I would play pretend of running my own business. I never thought that I would actually have it. When I saw my husband was struggling and needed help at home, I decided that I would see what I could possibly accomplish in order to help. That is how I started here and we have been here 35 years. 

Interviewer: Now that you have your own business and have accomplished to help your family move forward in life, do you feel you have succeeded in having what many consider an American Dream? Do you have any more aspirations for the future? 

Speaker : Yes, well I am happy with what I have now, thanks to God, but well, I would like to have more. I would like something a little more formal, because here at the 7 mile fair they’re only open on weekends. I’d like something where I can be everyday, like opening up an actual little boutique in a location much different. Being there everyday would be a beautiful thing. 

Interviewer : During these difficult times in the United States, if you were able to make your voice be heard, what is something you would want to say to those who judge and wrongfully discriminate against our community in order for them to consider our perspectives?

Speaker : Well I think that the majority of us Hispanics come to this country and being here, maybe many come with a dream, maybe many come like I did, that I came to be with my family, to form my home, and not be alone with just my daughter. Well, like I was saying, I never thought things would be like they are, but when you’re working, and see that the United States is a place that gives you opportunities, or would give opportunities, I’m not sure if it could still be considered the same. It would give opportunities to families to move forward in life so I say we can do it, right? We shouldn’t be scared to do what we want to do or have because we should have faith. So I say, while we have faith, God will help us, and we have to hope that at some point in time all of this will get better. It is scary what’s happening right now to be honest with you. Everything we see on social media and in society. But we can do it, we can move forward. I have experienced things in life that have made me feel like I can’t go on anymore, but if you try to focus on the path you desire, on the goals you want to accomplish, then you can accomplish them.