land of immigrants

I don't think I have ever explained really what my project is. I will next time hee hee. I will just say that my primary research group is 1st, 2nd, and sometimes 3rd generation West Indian.  I often write "West Indian" here, but I should be more specific. I am not dealing with people who came from the West Indies themselves, but instead their descendants.  That being said, here are some (sad) notes from a woman who came to Panama from Barbados and the horrible experience she had.  For attitude like hers, people (West Indians and their descendants) left Panama. Many (especially people from the Canal Zone) migrated to the US.

(this is not my interview, rather an interview someone else did in the 1970s)

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Went to Panama in 1913, her sister sent for her and another sister.

what kind of news of Panama did you receive from letters: Panama was no place for a decent person to live.

why did you leave: “My sister sent for me. We loved each other so I wanted to be with her”

What was it like once you got to Panama/Colon/Almirante: I could hardly find a descent place to live. It was a lot different from home. I never liked it. The place was a in a mess ___.  I lived in Panama with my sisters for a long time until I got married. After some time, I went to live in Gatun (Canal Zone) where my husband lived. I didn’t like it and I asked him to go back to (the Republic of) Panama to live after 2 years. We came to La Boca (Canal Zone) and I lived till he died. After he died I went to live with my daughter in Panama. I don’t know how much rent he paid in Gatun. He payed about $6 in La Boca”

What did you think of the Canal Zone: It was awful. Worst than home. You didn’t even have your own service(bathroom). Food was scarce. Lived there for 13 years or more.

Do you own your house: We couldn't, but I would never want to (own this home)

What did you do for work: I never worked since left my country. I got married at 21 and had 7 children. No time to work

That things did you want to accomplish in life: There was nothing to accomplish in Panama (CZ included)

How were you children: “They were idle like all the children in this place” They went to school in the CZ. Like that school because the teachings were good and they could get a “solid W.I. background from their teachers. “My children are not like me. They waste a lot of time” Children now live between the States and Panama.

What can you say about your grandchildren: “They are worst than my children. They are going to speed up the coming of Jesus”

Did you know anything about the Garvey movement: That Garvey was a smart man, but that God was not on his side

Did you ever return to your country: If had the strength and money, would go back to Barbados. “I am sorry I ever left in the first place” Stayed because “I was here with my sister, my husband, and my children and I had no money to take them all back”

Sees herself as weaker in the mind than her parents.

West Indians "busy and serious people"

In the old days, “they were real people. Not like now that they take every thing for granted.

What do you think of Panamanians: "They are a damn set of jackasses. A lazy bunch”

what do you think of White Zonians: "the cruelest bunch of people I ever seen"

“I believe I have wasted my life coming to Panama. All I want now is to live in peace and await the coming of Jesus. The days of our Lord is near and I will be ready to receive him”

La Boca, circa 1914. photo from I.L. Maduro