Patterns of Immigration
Coming from a family of immigrants has shaped my early views of life. My early memories of my mother revolves around one ‘profession’ that has stuck with her throughout the years. Though at first I didn’t think of it as anything, it was a job that helps in supporting the family. As time passed one of the few things that has stayed consistent throughout the years were the sewing machines. Moving around like furniture at first, the machines were a part of my life. From having them in their own dedicated room to the current placement in the garage, these machines have become a continuous support for the family. From times where money was tight, or that period of time where my father couldn’t work his regular job, the sewing machine always provided that extra amount that helped us get by.
These photographs are not only here to document the current state of the sewing machines, but they also represent one of the many jobs that other immigrant families have done in order to achieve that ‘American Dream’. From conversations with other people in the Cambodian community, a sewing machine is guaranteed to be somewhere in their house or some cases even going to a warehouse to work and sew for hours. There is also the chance that within your own circle of friends, a family member of theirs has worked in a profession that requires a form of manual labor for minimal pay, and they choose to do it because it provides for the family.
Through these photos I want to connect the viewer with similar struggles that not only my family has gone through, but something that millions go through each day. Though we all have different struggles in our life, I believe that we are all striving to achieve a similar goal of achieving that American Dream that continues to change.