I remember sitting in an office with my parents and a woman. They all sat there waiting for me to sign my identity away, or so I thought at the time. But little did I know that signing the piece of paper in front me would mean that becoming an American citizen would change my life and open up so many wonderful opportunities.
My family and I left Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn, New York when I was six. Like many other families, they wanted a better life for us. I was excited to live in America, but sad to leave the country I called home. Most people think that 6-year-olds won’t remember much, but that’s not true.
I can tell you exactly what I wore the day I came to this country, as well as many other details most kids my age might not have remembered.
It took many years to grow accustom to American culture. In fact, there are still moments when I feel like a fish out of water, which was exactly how I felt getting off the plane so many years ago.
So when I saw the screening of the Fox Searchlight Pictures film, Brooklyn, I felt an instant connection to the movie’s main character.
Brooklyn is a story about Eilis Lacey (played by actress Saoirse Ronan), a young girl from Ireland who migrates to the United States in the 1950s alone. However, leaving the comfort of her mother and sister to begin a new life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be at first. But her homesickness diminishes when she meets and falls in love with an Italian American young man.
Emory Cohen as “Tony” and Saoirse Ronan as “Eilis” in BROOKLYN. Photo by Kerry Brown. © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved
Her new found happiness is interrupted when tragedy strikes, forcing her to choose between her native country and the country she now considers home.
Eilis is much older than I was when I came to this country. But this story reminded me of the time when I returned to Jamaica for the first time in the Early 2000’s. I was still in college and had decided to take a summer vacation to visit family I hadn’t seen in years.
While I was there, I signed with a modeling agency. I turned my two week trip ticket in for an open ticket. At that time, I wasn’t quite sure when or if I’d return.
But after a few months, I decided to return to United States. While I was away, I thought about my husband, who was sort of my boyfriend at the time. I also thought about my life in America and the career opportunities that awaited me.
In some ways, I am Eilis. We both struggled with between two totally different worlds. I won’t giveaway the movie’s ending. But, I’m very happy with the decision I’ve made.
I often think back to that moment when I sat in that office and sign the piece of paper. I didn’t realize it then, but becoming an American citizen has change my life in a positive way. I have a wonderful family and a great career. However, I’m still very proud to be Jamaican.
If you’re interested in know which path Eilis chooses, see the movie!
#BrooklynMovie hit theaters in November. Check local listings here to buy tickets!
Have you ever felt stuck between two different countries? Which would you choose?
This post is made possible by support from Fox Searchlight Pictures. All opinions are my own.