This is my story and I live in Northwestern Pennsylvania where I was born and raised, in a small community (Coudersport) with a population currently of about 2,650. The small town is nestled in the heart of Potter County also known as God’s country. Even though there are many influences that drive prejudice behavior within my community, I believe a difference can be made by educating our community.
Potter County was created in 1804, carved out from a northwest section of Lycoming County. It is located midway between the eastern and western boundaries of Pennsylvania along the New York border. The county’s name is a tribute to General James Potter, who served with distinction during the Revolutionary War but never set foot in this area. Native Americans had also passed through the forested wilderness, but had congregated in larger numbers in neighboring regions. However over the years many different ethnic groups migrated to this area for work in the forest for the logging industry and for work on the railroad; including my ancestors.
So my story begins with my birth at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, where I was born to two wonderful parents both being of different cultures. My father was German and Irish, and my mother Italian and Scottish, but you would have never guessed because they do not look like the typical German, Italian, Irish, or even Scottish. As I grew up my parents never stayed in one area for too long because my father had difficulty in finding or keeping work. When I was just five years old my parents ended up moving away from this area because my father needed work. He was told by a friend that they were looking for hard workers to build ships in a ship yard out in the state of Washington, near long beach. So my parents packed our family up and headed west to Washington. However, once we reached our destination my father was denied a job and was told they did not have any work for him, my father was angry and upset over this ordeal... [continues]
Potter County was created in 1804, carved out from a northwest section of Lycoming County. It is located midway between the eastern and western boundaries of Pennsylvania along the New York border. The county’s name is a tribute to General James Potter, who served with distinction during the Revolutionary War but never set foot in this area. Native Americans had also passed through the forested wilderness, but had congregated in larger numbers in neighboring regions. However over the years many different ethnic groups migrated to this area for work in the forest for the logging industry and for work on the railroad; including my ancestors.
So my story begins with my birth at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, where I was born to two wonderful parents both being of different cultures. My father was German and Irish, and my mother Italian and Scottish, but you would have never guessed because they do not look like the typical German, Italian, Irish, or even Scottish. As I grew up my parents never stayed in one area for too long because my father had difficulty in finding or keeping work. When I was just five years old my parents ended up moving away from this area because my father needed work. He was told by a friend that they were looking for hard workers to build ships in a ship yard out in the state of Washington, near long beach. So my parents packed our family up and headed west to Washington. However, once we reached our destination my father was denied a job and was told they did not have any work for him, my father was angry and upset over this ordeal... [continues]
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"Racial Influences in My Community." StudyMode.com. 12, 2010. Accessed 12, 2010. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Racial-Influences-In-My-Community-529223.html.
