Like the population of the city, teachers in New York City come from a myriad of backgrounds. In light of the recent discussions around immigration, I asked several members of various heritage committees’ inside the union to write about their own immigration experience. This post was submitted by Pasquale D’Onofrio.
I was born in Italy during WWII, and I saw some of the damages created by governments dominated by dictators.
America had a great fascination on me, which developed when I learned about Abraham Lincoln, and his ideals of democracy.
Ideals are very important in life, and that explains why so many immigrants did well in this country. So many of us came here with the belief that hard word would have priority on privilege and family connections.
Arriving in America, learning English, earning 5 college degrees, becoming a teacher was not easy for me, but I was inspired by the ideals of freedom, equality which are the fundamentals of the American democracy.
In my 39 years in the inner city classrooms of New York, I met many people like myself that were motivated by the belief in the American dream. Teachers, paraprofessionals, School aides, security officers, students coming from all over the world that were united by one common theme: a shared belief in the greatness of American democracy.
The tragic events of 9/11/2001 showed me how this mosaic of people were part of the American nation: we were all incredibly together whether we arrived long time ago or The day before!
I also believe that public schools, and our beloved UFT has contributed greatly to the feeling of togetherness, by fostering activities that bring people together and have no tolerance for prejudice, and racial intolerance.
The UFT has contributed greatly to this racial harmony through the Professional Committee Network, constantly capitalizing to bring out the best of people cultural Differences.
As treasurer of the Association of Teachers of Social Studies, and Chairman, Program Committee, Italian-American Studies Committee, I see every day this search for unity, whereby we foster activities presenting diversity within a very specific theme: we are All Americans. We believe in the power of the people. We believe that no one is above the law. We believe that we have the right and obligation to denounce any abuse of power. We believe that we should help others to help themselves.
