Samar Saab

Saab 1

Beth Fowler
HON 1000
17 October 2015

Finding Your Place

Nico Mirallegro was not stupid. No matter what people said, no matter what people thought
about his kind, no matter what anybody assumed, he was not stupid. Born in Sicily, Italy, Nico
always wondered what possibilities were out there in the world for him. With his father struggling to
find work and his family barely staying afloat, the last thing Nico wanted was to disappoint his parents.
Being an only child, Nico did not have many friends growing up. But he did not mind. He had plenty of
friends in his books. Nico loved to read. His mother introduced books to him at the early age of three. It
was love at first sight. At the age of six, he began reading books that were much more advanced such as
Sherlock Holmes and Moby Dick. Now 18 years old, Nico and his family are about to embark on the
greatest journey of their lives.
The year is 1914. Nico and his family are packing their bags and are headed to the marvelous
city of Detroit, Michigan in hopes of finding work for both himself and his father (Pozzetta, George E.,
Immigrants And Ethnics 8).
Nico my boy, do not forget your inspection card, Mr. Mirallegro bellowed in a panic
(Delicato, 7).
Not to worry father, I have it right here, answered Nico while patting his vest pocket.
Nico was beyond excited but also apprehensive. He loved his hometown of Sicily but he could not
shake this feeling that something is missing.
Mother, have you seen my medical questionnaire? I cannot find it anywhere, cried Nico
(Delicato, 10).

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Not to worry my dear, I have all of our papers in my bag. Now let us get a move on, the ship
boards in one hour and we do not want to miss it, replied Mrs. Mirallegro.
Well, this was it. Nico was headed to the New World. He has always dreamed of one day
coming to America, but he has never imagined that it would one day become his home. For Nico, the
only thing he ever truly wanted was for his family to be happy and to be proud of him. He never really
realized what his purpose in life was. That is until that bright sunny day in the city of Detroit,
Michigan.
We have made it my boy! cheered Mr. Mirallero while embracing his son. We are in the land
where nothing is impossible!
Alright dear, calm down. You two have a big day ahead of you tomorrow so I think it is best
for all of us to get some rest now, interjected Mrs. Mirallegro. Nico headed upstairs to bed.
Thank you so much for letting my family stay here. I promise my father and I will find work
soon so that one day we will be able to purchase a house of our own, whispered Nico as he lay on his
bed.
It is no trouble at all. We are family and family helps family. We could be like brothers!
responded Santino.
But we are cousins, affirmed Nico as he stare in confusion at Santino.
Well I know that silly, but that does not mean we don't care for each other like brothers do,
Santino noted.
That night, Nico could hardly sleep. He stayed up wondering what sorts of job opportunities the city of
Detroit had to offer. He also kept thinking about what Santino said to him. For the first time in his life,
Nico felt like he finally had a friend. At least a nonfictional friend.
The next morning, Nico and his father were off to go job hunting. After about four hours they
found themselves standing outside the Highland Park Ford plant in Highland Park, Michigan. The rapid

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growth of industry in Detroit, especially automobile manufacturing, was the magnet that attracted
hundreds of thousands of people, native and immigrant alike, to the city. Highland park was not very
far from Detroit and, at the time, the plant had plenty of job openings (Laura 5). Nico stared in awe.
This is it son, I think we have found our calling, reckoned Mr. Mirallegro.
But father, working at an assembly line sounds great and all, but I have never done something
like this before. Are you sure this is the job for us? questioned Nico sounding a bit uneasy.
Well son, we are running out of options. The crops are failing and we need to start paying our
dues. I cannot keep going this way, reasoned Mr. Mirallegro (Laura 6). Ah, here comes a nice
looking fellow headed our way, maybe he can help us.
A tall broad looking man with gray hair and blue coveralls headed in their direction (Workers on the
First Moving Assembly Line).
Can I help you fellas? he said.
Do you know where we can speak to the manager. My son and I were thinking about working
here, replied Mr. Mirallegro. The tall man stared at the two Sicilians for about seven seconds before
replying.
You guys aren't from around here are you? he said noticing Mr. Mirallegro's heavy Italian
accent.
Why no sir but-
But nothing. You two want to work here so bad I suggest you either learn to speak proper
American and follow everything in this here manual, or you can go back to wherever you came from.
The tall man handed Mr. Mirallegro a manual entitled Helpful Hints and Advice to Employees and
headed into the plant (Pozzetta, Italians And Urban America, 31).
The year is now 1915 and Nico and his father have been working at the Highland Park Ford
Plant for almost an entire year. The work was difficult, but the high-paying jobs in industry boosted

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many immigrants into the large middle class (Delicato 21). Their English has improved tremendously
and, now, they only have a slight Italian accent. Mr. Mirallegro was very content with his life. He was
finally able to support his family. Nico, however, did not have the heart to admit to his father that he
hated his job and everything about it. He knew that he had a purpose in this life but working at an
assembly line was definitely not it. He did not know how to explain it but he could not shake this
feeling that he could do something more with his life. Something that can benefit those around him.
And then it hit him.
It is supper time at the Mirallegro household.
We are almost there my brother, I can feel it. Soon my family and I will be able to purchase a
house of our own, exclaimed Mr. Mirallegro to his brother Alberto.
I am so proud of me baby brother, replied Alberto, patting Mr. Mirallegro on the back.
Sweetheart, don't forget about Nico now, Benita, Alberto's wife, reminded.
Nico, darling, why aren't you eating your food? said Mrs. Mirallegro.
Huh?.Oh no reason...I'm just not very hungry. That's all, replied Nico.
Tell them Nico, it will be alright, reassured Santino.
Tell us what? said Mr. Mirallegro.
Nico could feel a lump in his throat. He did not know how to tell his family that he finally figured out
what he wants to do with his life. He was afraid his father may disapprove but he also knew that if he
did not tell someone, besides Santino whom he already shared his idea with, he would surely burst.
The thing is...I-I don't want to work..at the plant anymore, Uttered Nico, his heart beating
more rapidly after stammering out each word. The silence was unbearable. One could hear a pin drop.
What in actuality was a mere ten seconds of pure silence, felt like ten minutes for poor Nico.
Well then, said Mr. Mirallegro breaking the silence, what do you want to do then?
I.I-I want to teach people how to read..a-and perhaps write, answered Nico.

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Oh what a wonderful idea son! cheered Mrs. Mirallegro. Sweetheart, don't you think so?
she asked her husband.
And where exactly do you plan on starting this business of yours? recounted Mr. Mirallegro.
Well..a few days ago, Santino and I found a small book store just up the block, and...a-and the
man in charge there said business was not doing so good and that he would have to close the store
soon. So I thought may-
Maybe Nico and I could offer reading lessons that could help immigrants, like us, learn
English! exclaimed Santino, interrupting Nico.
Yeah, thanks Santino. A-and the man who owns the store, Mr. Robinson, surely thought it was
a wonderful idea father. He thinks it's just the thing his store needs to get the business running again
and he said we could start working Monday, Nico continued.
Well then, I must say I am very disappointed in you Nico, sighed Mr. Mirallegro.
Nico could not believe his ears. This is what he feared would happen.
I-I beg you father, please don't be- Nico stuttered.
I am disappointed that you did not tell me earlier, Mr. Mirallegro chuckled.
Millions of Italians from all parts of Italy found their way to the New World. Large numbers
went to America to earn money so that they could return to their villages and buy land or establish
businesses in their hometowns. However, millions stayed in America, including the Mirallegros,
braving a new culture and language to forge a new life for themselves and their families. The
psychological security that is fostered by strong family ties gives strength to young people, like Nico,
as they strive to succeed in life. Most of the immigrants from Italy were young men with little
education. But now, thanks to Nico and Santino Mirallegro, through hard work, tenacity, and a spirit of
cooperation, are able to not only survive but also to thrive in the city of Detroit (Delicato, 19).

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Works Cited
Rudolph, Laura C. "Sicilian Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America. Ed. Jeffrey
Lehman. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 1597-1609.
Pozzetta, George E. "Immigrants And Ethnics: The State Of Italian-American Historiography." Journal
Of American Ethnic History 9.1 (1989): 67. America: History & Life. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
Pozzetta, George E. "Italians And Urban America." Journal Of Urban History 6.3 (1980): 357.
America: History & Life. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
Delicato, Armando. Italians in Detroit. Charleston, Chicago, Portsmouth: Arcadia, 2005. Print.
Workers on the First Moving Assembly Line. 1913. Highland Park, MI. This Day in History: The
Affordable Auto Is Born. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://www.tracytreadmore.com/category/funstuff/>.