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I am going to America!
Japan has recently killed our empress and I am afraid that something bad is going to happen with them. Since the Korean Empire is giving passports to take us to America, I am going to run before we get into a fight with Japan. I still cannot believe that I, Yeji Lee, will be one of the first Koreans in America! I hope I will have a nice job and eventually come back to Korea. -
I am going to the Sugar Plantations
I heard that because the people working in Hawaii are asking for more money they are bringing us instead. Apparently the Chinese and Japanese workers are on strike against the owners because they want more money. When we reach the United States we will have a contract that says that we will have to work at the sugar plantations for five years. I bet I will earn a lot of money by then and able to come back to America. -
Finally in America
Today we have finally arrived to Hawaii. We sailed on the RMS Gaelic for a long time. The conditions were terrible. Since I am so poor, I was in steerage class. The bread was moldy and stale, the sleeping quarters were tight and cramped and it was very awful to be stuck on a ship for such a long time. I am glad that we can finally walk on land. I wish that I could have a fresh change of clothes, but I could only bring what I could carry onto the ship. -
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Lived in America
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Strike!
We are working hard and getting 15 dollars a month! I don’t understand why the Japanese and Chinese are striking against our bosses. They say that we are not getting what we deserve. I hear that the bosses will soon give us 18 dollars a month instead! Because of everyone wanting sugar so much, we have been clearing the land, digging ditches, planting, fertilizing, weeding, and harvesting the cane. It is hard work! -
Unfair!
I think I can understand why the Japanese and Chinese were getting mad. I am not sure if I can survive any more of this work but I will try my hardest. It bothers me that the Puerto Ricans are getting more money than us. We work the same amount of time and just as hard as them. In my opinion this is so unfair. -
Meeting My Friend's Family/Chinese Exclusion Act
I met my friend Xian-Li’s family today. When the Chinese Exclusion Act was first approved she was worried that they would never come! I am glad that they stopped the Chinese Exclusion Act, but even though they stopped it, it was unfair that they banned the Chinese from coming to the United States for ten whole years! But at least they stopped the act because now Xian-Li’s family has finally come. -
Labor Contract is Completed!
It has been five years since I have been in Hawaii. My labor contract has finally been completed and they are giving us the option to leave this plantation and go to the mainland. Many of my fellow immigrants that speak Korean are going to Washington in search of jobs. We heard that they need farmers, miners and fishermen. I do not want to be left alone so I will go with them. -
Settling Down in Washington
I have finally gotten a steady job as a farmer in Yakima. Even though my wages still are different than other races, I still work as hard, hoping for an increase in my salary too. I am glad I came to Washington, many of my friends moved here and we still work together. Once I earn enough money I hope to settle down in Washington.
