Date: August 7th, 2022
Interviewee: Syed Taslim
Interviewer: Subat Matin
Location: Manassas, Virginia

MATIN: Today is August 7, 2022, to tell me your life story.

TASLIM: Assalamualaykum, peace be upon you. So, my name is Syed Abu Kalam Taslim. I'm from Bangladesh and I was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1967 and from the beginning like I have, we are four of us, I have one sister, and three brothers and I am the only one here or there or live in Bangladesh. So, I went to a school in Dhaka, my father is a school teacher used to be a school teacher, and he passed away in 2011. High school teacher, so in that time, in Bangladesh, they still teachers are very strict and everything. So, we, we brothers and sister were very, you know, we have to study all the time, and all these things, you know, to follow my father's guidelines all the time and my mom is a housewife, I mean, she's used to take care of all of us and then another thing, me and my brother, we went to the same school next to me, and my other brother went to different schools anyway and I came to United States around 1986, March.

So, in Bangladesh, I finished high school there and then, after I finished high school, I tried to get admission in beauty school, like engineering. My, my father is a teacher, but he also used to be a businessman, like, he used to contractor like he used to do like our contract works. So, he would like to be an engineer with him, so that he can help. So, engineer can help. So, he wants he wants me to be he wanted me to be an electrical engineer, so that I can help you with his work. So basically, so I took, you know, test in different engineering school in Bangladesh, and I wasn't able to get admitted, because there are like, millions of students took the exam and I couldn't make it. So that's what time I decided that I was trying to go in India or some Brussels some other places and I talked to my friends and finally, I found that one of my friends cousin lives in United States and he's, he has a lot of good opportunities. So, I then I was thinking that, okay, let me try to go to the United States for the study and then meanwhile, a couple of my friends already get a student visa in different schools.

So, I was very happy. So, I and then I applied for I applied at Ohio University first and then when we said the I got accepted, and then I had to take TOEFL and I had good grades, I mean, mediocre. So, when I came to United States in 1986, around, I think, March, so I went there and I took English classes over there. And after one semester, I had a problem with like, the tuition fee is so high, and it's hard for my father to pay the whole semester after semester. So, I finished the first semester and then I was looking for a job because as a student that time as the after a couple of semesters, you can get 40 hours of work, visa and work permit. So, I was looking forward to that. But in Ohio is versus a small city is Ohio University of Athens, very small city is very hard to find job. So, I was trying to contact with my friends, whoever it were in New York and some other places, like some people are in California, New York. So, I found one of my families in New York and he said, Okay, come to New York, and then we'll find something for you and then it is study. So, I as a student, I had to transfer so I transferred to City University of New York, LaGuardia College, and they accepted me transfer and I came to New York and then what I did, I went to like to go to college, and then do part time work different places.

So, the first time it was like very hard for me to get jobs. because I'm a student and my English was not that good either. So, I had to take a couple of semesters English in writing, reading all kinds of stuff. But later on, I was in Dean's List for a few semesters. I mean, I did good in the beginning. But and also work, I worked in a nine evening shift in some places around like to look for jobs, I do sometimes work like 20-30 blocks, and asking every store that day we openings we were winning, some people actually say, Okay, you come back next to it's hard to say no, we don't have anything. But luckily, I got like, at least you have like up every three, four restores, or some places you go, you have something either as a dishwasher or, or as a busboy or a waiter, you can do something like that. But my English was poor. That's why I have so after two, three semester than I was doing, I mean, at least it's been good. So that then I started working as a different type of works. So, you know, in assemblage I have in a deli shop. So that this is how I made some money, and then pay the t-shirt and I had to go to full time in school to maintain my student visa. and there's like, so I take the least amount, whatever 12 credits, I think so. But it took me a while to graduate because in the in the middle, I was sick, very sick, because I had to go to some operation. So, I luckily, because I had a work permit and also, I worked for a company, they have medical insurance, and they pay for my operation and then you know, and the medicine and everything thank God. So that's how, yeah, after and then it took me a while to graduate. So anyway, I finally around 1999 or something around that time, I graduated from Queens College, with my bachelor's degree in computer science and also minor in math and yeah, and I have like, I went to City College for like diploma in electrical engineering.

So, I have a good resume at that time and then my first job was with IBM, I worked there for I worked there for five years and then life goes on and because I was sick and it took me the company sponsored, I get my papers and everything, didn't care and then I went to Bangladesh and get married late. So, it was 2006 that I got married and my wife is a civil engineer and she came with me after a year after we got married a couple of years 2000, he came here and she also studied computer science in Virginia Tech and me and my wife both are working for same company now and she's a developer and a cyber security engineer. So, life goes on I have now three daughters and they been in like seventh one of them is the oldest or oldest one is in is going to be in eighth grade and then the second one is going to be in fifth grade and the last one is very young, it's almost two years old. So currently, that's all I have for now my life and my mom comes here time, time to times and but now she's very old. Now she doesn't want to fly anymore. So, I just talked to her and call her sometimes.

MATIN: What was your childhood like?
TASLIM: My childhood was like very strict because my father is a teacher and everything was strictly. I have to wake up like about six o'clock in the morning and then we have a religious teacher come that time and we have to study Arabic, Arabic me, my all my brothers and sisters, we can sit together and recite Quran and like after fajr prayer, and then we get ready for school. So, me and my brother goes to the same school, my father, teacher, my father teachers to start so we my father, me and my brother we used to go to school together and my sister was in a in a bouncy school and other words differently school. So strictly mean so we have to maintain a schedule. That's it, my father would not like to see us sunset we have to be at home and playing is like probably prohibited to certain places like you have to go this and there and my father was very hardworking man. So, after his school hours he used to do like business and everything. So, you He put my mother in charge and she was the one she was going to you know, when tough with that. So yeah, by stitching. So, we are like discipline pretty much.

MATIN: What did you like to do as a child? What was your favorite activity?

TASLIM: Ah, playing soccer or running around with my, my friends like next to neighbors and also, I was pretty good in Bangla this, the houses are very close, and they have walls very thin walls, I should run around there and one time my father caught me, and I'll get beaten and was bad. So then, then I quit kind of but you know, once in a while I, you know, have kite we do? What's called like fly kites. So, with those types, we have, like, kids from, you know, our naval, everybody has to fly kites and who can cut their kites, you know, with it and then the final one is got past I had to run and get it. So, I have to go through all the buildings. So, I was running like rabbits, and you know, so but yeah, as I told you, like, if I fall out, like, you know, I'd be like, heart very badly and also, in Bangladesh, there are electrical wires all over all over the buildings and those are open and they are like, 240 volt and lot of my address field, my friend died with electricity shock, current shock. So, my father doesn't, you know, didn't want this to happen to us. So, he did the right thing and the weird kids were running around. But yeah, they're like that. But anyway, so we went through.

MATIN: What was school like in Bangladesh?

TASLIM: Okay, very strict. Like, as I say, my father was the teacher and that is cool and if you don't, if you don't, if you don't do your homework, you can really get beaten by your teacher. So luckily, I used to do it. But one time I'm getting as, you know, as I told you, yeah, so one time, one time in my life, I get it beaten and I think about and then he also complained to my dad, and when I get home, I get my dad to summon me to. So that after that, I get very careful. So, I have my own business. I always do my homework and then you know, listen to my dad, that's all.

MATIN: When you were in Bangladesh, what kinds of food do you eat?

TASLIM: All kinds of junk foods like oily food, fried food, like kebab, and then biryani, sweets, you know, all kinds of stuff like that. But yeah, my favorite food or like chicken biryani. There is a store next door so, so it's called this store and I used to live in old town so, it's called Hajar Biryani. So, when I come from a school, I used to go there time to time, like borrow money from my mother get money from my mother. So, one time I went there, and I saw my father is eating and then I know it is sorry, what are you doing? So, then I back up and went back and then next day, I came in and bought some more for all of us and I took that video at home and we got together.

MATIN: When you were in Bangladesh what did you know about American culture?

TASLIM: Okay. Yeah. You know, one, when I was in Bangladesh, before I come to United States, we have a TV we have only one channel on TV is called Bangladesh, Bangladesh television and they used to be from 6pm to 12am and so there, that's all like six hours and over there. They used to show us like Charlie Chaplin, and some American movies, like I saw, like these two $6 Million Man, Bionic Women, that kind of stuff and that gives us oh, my goodness, America is so great and everything and then, and then, you know, they have all these things, technologies and everything. So that actually inspire me to see how the Western world goes and also, there is an American Cultural Center in our, in our country with the American Embassy. So, I went there a few times these tools, you know, so movies over there, like American movies, and then you can see like New York, Los Angeles, and stuff like that and I was dreaming that but never thought that I'll be able to make it. But yeah, that wasn't my yeah, I used to. I mean, the western culture used to surprise me because all the good technologies they had.

MATIN: What was your opinion of America or Americans?

TASLIM: Oh, America. Is it free country is very, I am very proud to be part of America. I mean American nation, and I'm a citizen now and I love this country, and the safety and security and also, I can make a living here with no problem. My kids are going up here freely and which I do not fit anywhere else, you know, even back home is tight. But over here, you have a freedom and also, I have, because I'm in America, good education and my, my teachers are pretty good. They helped me here and also when I and when I worked my, my wife fair, she was too good. She went to school there too. So, it was a good combination and everything. So overall, I mean, this is the best country to be here.

MATIN: What was your opinion of America before you immigrated here?

TASLIM: Yeah, it was good because as I told you, all the research, I do some research on this, you know, all this medical drugs, and also the all the engineering, the cars, whatever you see, everything was invented here, even though we buy stuff from made in China and made in Japan, everything, but everything was built in here. So that's the good thing about is like, like, and also all genius people from all over the world came over here and because to flourish, and they, you know, they put their time life on this and this how all together we make the world good in life by medicine, and all whatever good things happening. So, this is the way it should be in the world.

MATIN: Why did you want to immigrate to New York specifically?

TASLIM: First, I I'm currently in Virginia, so near I went to New York, you know because it is easier to get a job and also to transportation, just transportation is very easy, because you have trains, buses, and if by one pass, he can go anywhere in the city and also, there are schools, like schools are supported, supported poor people, like, you know, like City University, especially City University of New York when I was there. Like for people who cannot pay tuition, you have a like, you don't have to pay like higher tuition fee, you can put state tuition fee and also, you have a lot of other opportunities and also you can work part time and even let's say you have a class in the morning time. So, you had in the class in the morning, and then even in my in between you go to work, do I mean and then come back and you have evening school too. So, it was a mix and match and whereas when I was in Ohio and others don't have that opportunity.

So that's basically I was like looking for an order also. Or I come from Bangladesh, in 1986. There's very few people from Bangladesh that time and in New York, especially all over America, I think while in New York, Florida and California, they're there and they're the few Texas that the few states that Bangladesh is why because these are all the coastal area and why it's easy to get jobs. So, and I found my as a matter of fact, all my classmates from back home before when I was in high school, so I have 25 of my friends came together and we're still together and we see each other so time to time and some of them some of them will love my close friend high school friend Rashed, your father lives here, yeah. I have like so very close friend list. I believe we live like three of us live close to each other and my children knows them and their children, all my children on this. It's like a family. So that's all I like about it.

TASLIM: What did you hope to gain by settling in New York?

TASLIM: So, I finally I did not settle in New York because of what happened. I got good job offer in Virginia. Currently, I'm living in Virginia. So, but it's still I miss New York because the, you know, the friends and everything and I lived there for 25 years, and still going there. But I was there for last couple of weeks ago and it was very clearly, I was like, I don't have a place to park that time. But before that parking also available. So, but anyway, you still love New York.

MATIN: When you were in New York, what kinds of experiences did you have when you first immigrated there?

TASLIM: Ah, experience means like, what you mean, I have work experience. Yes, it's cool. So yeah, everything is positive except like, sometimes, you know, workplaces, like, I used to work in a deli store and then I was like, half an hour late and then the owner was me on me all over. So that type of things I don't like and also, they don't in New York, I see a lot of the job places you don't have time, they don't have time to show you what to do. So, one time, beginning of my life, I get a job in a store and then they put the price tag on the on the you know, on the foods and everything and the bottles, so I don't know how to use it faster. So, I asked the owner to show me and he goes like, I don't have time to show you this get out. It's okay. So anyway, so those types of there are rough and tough people and there are good people too, that helps you in the trains and buses.

MATIN: What surprised you about New York and American culture.

TASLIM: Oh, so I was taking like, some sight words classes that call it psychology or let me see or sociology. So, I that's how I know about salad bowl and melting pot. So, I found New York as a salad bowel because different, you know, everybody live with their communities. So, I found that okay, yeah, Bangladeshi people are with Bangladeshi people, Indian people. They don't meet each other that much. So, but when it came to Virginia is like everybody's mix and match. But yeah, New York is a salad bowel so I was always with my community. I didn't have to go nowhere.

MATIN: Did you ever experience any discrimination?

TASLIM: Oh, yes, one time, one time or twice what happened, when I came to the United States around 1986, I was in Ohio University. That time the president the United States President Ronald Reagan. So, they're having some problem with Libya so, Gaddafi was the president that time, Libya. So, what happened, they have some issue with Gaddafi. So now I have a friend like, not fair, like when I, I was in Ohio University attack. So, me and one of my classmates was walking on the street and he was a big guy, big guy look like he's from Bangladesh too. But he looks... he looks like kind of close to his face. He's looked like Gaddafi kind of stuff, you know, close to it and few people took like steaks, and I'm they're running towards us to eat that. So, it got home Gaddafi, and then then they were coming towards us as we ran towards the... ran towards the dean's office and we went there and then they left. They, you know, they were shouting go home foreigners that time I was very shocked. But anyway, when I came to New York, I never faced anything like that.

MATIN: How did you adjust to the American lifestyle?

TASLIM: I really do not feel because it's the American lifestyle because I was in the Bengali community in New York. It just like Bangladesh to me because I'm speaking Bengali, eating Bengali food, and it's not nothing to lose. So, I didn't get any cultural shock. So, I didn't feel anything. But when I came to Virginia, it was a little different because my neighbors are all foreigners and everything. But New York no because it was just like comfort.

MATIN: What do you like about New York?

TASLIM: As I told you, this is a salad bowel, and the community has different places. So I love New York because you can have all Bangladesh food over there all Bangladesh, gossiping people together, sitting in a restaurant talking, I can go to my friend's house anywhere and then I don't need a car or the transportation is good one pass, regular as a matter of weekends we used to get together in restaurants and eat you know, and then talk and then it would I didn't... I didn't actually miss Bangladesh at all when I was in New York.

MATIN: You said earlier that you had trouble speaking English when you first came, how did you learn to speak English? What was that experience like?

TASLIM: Oh, yes, it was. It was so what happened when I so in school, first I had to take like in LaGuardia College I had to take like two three English classes. First one is a speaking I was in a lot of students from different countries, international students. Then we say how are you? How do you do all kinds of stuff but my accent is still now I have an accent. But at that time, I was a heavy accent like, like, on I was I had also, I was confused about the words to like English words, sometimes you know, you spell something, say something like, like we're like “to”, and “do”, but when you say “g-o”, you don’t say “goo”, you say “go”. So, something, those kinds of stuff I was like, you know messed up and also same thing as “put” like “p-u-t” but when you say “b-u-t” you say “but”, “c-u-t” “cut”, but you say “p-u-t” put so I cannot say “b-u-t” boot.

So, so those kind of things are like confused actually and also, I have students from different countries with me and there are some Arabic students with me, they cannot pronounce “p”. So, there is to say P is B so one of them was trying to teach me grammar and he goes like “bust, burfet” continuously. So, he said “bust tense” instead of past tense so I was confused. But anyway, so those days are gone. So yeah, so by taking classes and stuff, and also, the job, the first job I did was that delivering food, all I need to do, like, find that address and give the food to them. So, I learned how to say, hello, thank you, here is your food. like few things and little by little, you know, it comes up. It took me awhile, but not much difficulty after that.

MATIN: What was the hardest part of coming to America and leaving Bangladesh?

TASLIM: To leave my family behind. It was pretty... because I was the oldest child and my mom was like, don't let me go. She was like crying over. But anyway, I came here and then call her time to time and then I wouldn't have went to visit her time to time. That's the thing like keep my you know, leaving my family, my brothers and sisters. So, because then that time, we don't know why I made this is like, and also the transportation was not that great that time the plane was take like long time and so it's over 24 hours, about two days or three days of flying that time. So anyway, yeah, that's what's the hardest part.

MATIN: When you first immigrated to America, how often did you go back to visit your family in Bangladesh?

TASLIM: Ah, you know, it's hard to put money together, airfare is so high. So yeah, every five years and then like when I start working, then I go every year to see my parents. Like when I started working, I got my job and I had plenty of money I could afford.

MATIN: How did you keep in contact with your family back in Bangladesh, when you first came to America?

TASLIM: Letters, writing letters, I still have my father's and mother's letters. I read the... my father passed away, I still read them time to time and call them, but that time is very hard to call and so but even though it's hard to call, like at least I call once a week at this for like five minutes to 10 minutes, but it's cost lot of money. So anyway, I tried that I made some money I call them every week and then write letters.

TASLIM: How do you relatives back home think of you now?

TASLIM: A lot of my relatives are here already now in the United States. So, my cousin, my uncle's, so they live in New York, I sometimes go there see them, the time and so now they say I mean my brothers sisters or my family thing that I did good in my life, and I'm successful kind of stuff and to me yeah, life I mean I'm, I mean, I to me feel like I have everything. So, I'm happy with my job my kids and wife and my friends and families. So, we are good. So, and also, yeah, I mean they my family back homes. They think that I did a good thing, good job.

MATIN: Do you consider America or Bangladesh your home?

TASLIM: Ah, of course America from Bangladesh I left Bangladesh when I was 18 or 19 years old. I've been living here for almost forty years. So, this is my second nature and whenever I go to Bangladesh, I feel like when am I coming back. So, because of my mother is still alive, so I had to go there time to time. But nowadays, I don't feel that urge anymore because here is everything, I have a big community here, my friends are here, all of my friends are here I don't have nobody in Bangladesh now all my friends are in the United States. So, you know and also their children's are getting married few of them have already invited me to you know somebody lives in California somebody different North Carolina and also, next couple of weeks we will meet together again some places so yeah, so this is my home now.

MATIN: What kinds of Bangladeshi cultures and traditions did you keep in your family?

TASLIM: Yeah, the food, food culture and also respecting elders and everything and also religious. Religion. I think that we practice Islam. That's about it, and time to time yeah, relatives, especially relationship with my you know, uncle, kids and cousins. So, we I still keep those and also, we follow some of the rules that respecting elders. So yeah, that's all.

MATIN: What kinds of Bangladeshi culture and traditions did you pass down to your children? Or teach your children?

TASLIM: Oh, like, yeah, respecting parents and you know, respecting elders and then be soft, kind to you know, and take care of elders like it their grandparents did that come take care of them and also be friends with you know, my friends children, everybody you know, to be a nice human being.

MATIN: What do your children and family believe about Bangladeshi culture?

TASLIM: Yeah, Ban-Ban, they believe in like, yes, people are soft hearted and then soft hearted and try to help each other, like family always help each other and they love that love that. But we've got some they were my, my children's like, all those things, but they don't want to go to Bangladesh because they got sick all the time. But it's even though we try to go there like every other year. So, they get sick because the weather because the weather is polluted and then and also, there are a lot of... they get vaccinated here and we go there time to time.

MATIN: Did you face any kinds of challenges trying to preserve Bangladeshi culture in your family?

TASLIM: No, because my me and my wife, both of us from Bangladesh, so we should be and also, we have a lot of Bangladeshi community here, community people. So, when we have like any celebration or anything comes, we wear all the traditional dresses and everything we feel like were in Bangladesh.

MATIN: When you first immigrated to New York, where did you find halal and Bengali food from?

TASLIM: Okay, there was yeah, there was one store in 1986 it was in New York, I think, Astoria it’s called Bangla Bazar. I think that was the one store that used to exist in Queens. But in Manhattan and 20 district there are a lot of Bangladeshi restaurants still exist. So, I used to go there. They have a lot of Bangladeshi food and halal food and everything.

MATIN: What do you like about Bangladeshi culture?

TASLIM: Yeah, as I told you, yeah, there we you know, elders are respected and that cousins, kids all the family try to stay together to keep the kid together and do everything together and ask permission for them to do any business and everything, they consult their parents all kinds of stuff like that.

MATIN: Do you think Islam influences Bangladeshi culture?

TASLIM: Used to, but not now, used to, when I was in Bangladesh, yes. Their Islamic culture is still there, but nowadays is mostly western, mostly Indian culture, Indian and Pakistani culture in Bangladesh.

MATIN: Do you see or think there are any problems with Bangladeshi culture?

TASLIM: Nowadays, I think it's changed because I left so long ago. I don't have to deal every day, I don't have to deal with people every day in Bangladesh. So, I don't know how it changes. But to me when I go home, I make my you know, when I meet my relatives do almost the same to me. I mean, Yeah, they almost have same to me. So, to me yes, there's a lot of changes, a lot of people came. But the cultural changes. I didn't notice that much, but I know one thing or millions of people's now because from 86’ to now like, there's so much people in Bangladesh now, it's hard to even.

MATIN: Do you think there are any problems with Bangladeshi culture?

TASLIM: That nowadays now when I was there the culture, the culture, I didn't see any problems.

MATIN: In general?

TASLIM: In general, I don't know the kids are now whoa, okay. So nowadays, I see the culture is like, people, when the cell phone came out, you know, TV had millions now, 1000s of channels. So, kids watch those things, and they try to be like that so they don't listen to their parents or something, you know, those kinds of things are like, probably now getting into the system in Bangladeshi culture, because our culture by itself was pretty good. There is no problem with it. But when kids watching like culture from different countries, they type to use it to their culture so, it's mixed up. In Bangladeshi culture I don't see any problem but the imported culture, that's the big problem.

MATIN: What is the difference between being just Bangladeshi-American and just Bangladeshi?

TASLIM: It doesn't matter is what you think of. So, I think myself as an American now because I'm, I'm over... I'm working here, living here. I'm like valued here. So, I don't consider myself as a Bangladeshi anymore.

MATIN: How do you children and family see their identity?

TASLIM: Okay, my children are born here so their identities, you know, they are United States citizen. But they still try to, you know, get tie with Bangladesh with their relatives. So, we did you know, as we take them to Bangladesh time to time they meet their cousins, everything. So, so that, you know, they can help them in the future. If they have any trouble so that they can send money and everything.

MATIN: When you first immigrated here, where did you meet other Bangladeshi people?

TASLIM: First I was in Ohio. Yeah, first I was in Ohio, Ohio State University, Ohio State University in Athens and over there, I met Bangladesh... Bangladeshi people after a month, because I didn't see any Bangladeshi over there. But yeah, so I was walking down to the post office you know, to send a mail, a letter to my mom and I saw somebody coming towards me and I was walking for into store and then I asked him, you know, where can I go buy some halal food? and he asked me, are you Bangladeshi? and I say yes and then oh, man, let's go to my home. So, he took me he was a PhD student with his wife. So, this is the first time I met Bangladeshi over here. After I came here about like, three weeks after, and I was so happy it’s the first time I was eating Bangladeshi food in their house. Otherwise, I was living with eggs and bread for like last three weeks and that's also Yeah and then when I came back to New York from there, then I have lots of friends and people there.

MATIN: What is the Bangladeshi community like in New York?

TASLIM: When I was in New York, yeah, it was like Bangladesh. Like, yeah, we see each other in the weekends, we get together, families go together some places. Yeah, it's like Bangladesh.

MATIN: Did you see or notice any struggles Bangladeshis faced in New York when they first immigrated here?

TASLIM: Yeah, that's the language barrier. Plus, after language barrier, then you have to find jobs. Yeah, I saw a lot of people having tough time to get jobs and also education, proper education. Some people like when some people migrate here and the working in odd jobs and start to make money when they see money coming, they don't care about education anymore. So, the culture is like how to make money. But that's the main problem when people get... come over here. But you have to understand that education is the base of your future. So, I hope... I mean some of my friends when they can late, we ask them to please finish school then you have the basic knowledge to do anything you want. So that's the main thing.

MATIN: When you were in school in Bangladesh, were you told them any stories of the time when Britain still had control over the Bengal region?

TASLIM: Yes, we have some... one story is that how Britain came one of the Britain army leader I think they came how do they use all the farmers and everything to grow “neil” blue or something I forget what the name of the corps is so they used to beat them and everything and then make them you know what for hard for them. That we read it in the in the history.

MATIN: Do you know how things were like during the war in Bangladesh in 1971?

TASLIM: I remember a little bit... I think I was very little. But when it first started in the city, I think March or something, and my father took us to a boat and we start to go into the village area like miles and hundreds of miles from the city. So, we are in the boat for a long time for days, and then when the city was done the on the army were attacking the village area, then we came back to the city. So, this way how we escaped the liberation. So, we are not that much affected. But we are always in somewhere journey either in boat, or in a bus, truck. It has a hard life I remember. Especially my mom was pregnant that time with my youngest brother and it's very hard for her. Those days are very... oh my goodness, I remember them. I can still hear that sound, that the shells or bombs are going on top of my head and those sounds is still my... I can hear that and as a matter of fact, I saw dead bodies. When I was in boat, I saw floating dead bodies passing by the boats. That was horrifying. I still dream of those. I still have dreams of those and I hope this kind of stuff never happened to any families.

MATIN: What are your thoughts or opinions on the 1971 Bangladesh genocide?

TASLIM: This wasn’t supposed to be happening because our country... both were Pakistan there are Muslim people. But the problem was the language barrier, we speak Bengali and they speak Urdu and we used to be a part of India before Calcutta speaking Bengali. So, but you know when the by the separation in what English people England people did is like the separate...

MATIN: The partition?

TASLIM: Partition was bad because they put East Pakistan and West Pakistan and they put India in between. So, it's a border you cannot pass through. So, it was a bad decision anyways for me it was a bad decision, I don't know what... So obviously, this is coming... this was coming we can see because the language barrier and then also all the food and crops are growing in Bangladesh and they were taking everything to West Pakistan to help their problem and most of the leaders are from West Pakistan, we don't have no leaders from East Pakistan. So, we have to listen to them all the time. Whatever they say we have to abide by them. So that's all for my prospect view, my view. So maybe some people has other views. But what I see so that is obvious that is happening... is going to happen.

MATIN: Do you know anyone who fought in the war or took refuge in India during the war?

TASLIM: Yeah, some people from my village. They went to India, because as a matter of fact, my village was a border in India. It's about like five or ten miles away. So, they just crossed the border and then train them come back and fought.

MATIN: Do you remember what you were taught about Bangladesh’s history while in school?

TASLIM: Bangladesh’s story. Yeah, they were like it's about like Sheik Mujibur Rahman, was the president, our first president, and they were teaching us about his lifestyle and everything and he was the nation's father. So, the history actually start from there and Bangladesh’s history... But before that, they were like, I didn't understand, oh, before that they were like, some Indian story how the Muslim people or other people came to India from different countries and rule India and last was the English people like England before that was Portuguese and Moguls and then, you know, it's those history we read. But Bangladesh history was fresh that time to school so we're just learning about the Sheik Mujibur Rahman starting... how he, you know, fought for back to West Pakistan.

MATIN: Do you remember how things were like during the famine that occurred in Bangladesh in 1974?

TASLIM: Ah, no, 74’ I was a little kid 10 I think about 10 years. Three and Four, seven years old 7-8 years old. I don't remember that much. But all I remember that my father bought some rice and some lentils for like, six months or seven months all our profit and putting in our backyard in the gouda and then we were eating those stuff. Then there's nothing available in the market. We were eating those that’s all I remember.

MATIN: Do you remember how things were like, like around the city?

TASLIM: We used live in Old Town that was always like crazy anyway. So, I don’t know... we didn't feel that. I mean, I don't remember that much. I don't know why, but for some reason, but I heard that in the newspaper, everything, people are dying without food and then the bad thing was that somebody's throwing up and other people are eating those and that's how the food was, you know, nothing was there. Nothing was there and there I think I saw dead bodies on the street. Yes. Yes. Like the dustbin around you know where you put the trash in the because in our country in Bangladesh, they have a trash area in every street corner so you can see like sometimes dead bodies at that time, because people are dying to do anything.

MATIN: Do you know any Bangladeshis that went to the Middle East to look for jobs?

TASLIM: Yeah, we have some family members. They went to Saudi Arabia, Dubai that time long time ago to do labor work.

MATIN: Do you know what kinds of jobs they did and how they were treated?

TASLIM: Yeah, one time I was in... that time I was in America. What year was that? I think 2001 or 2002. One of my cousin I know he used to work in Kuwait. So, for curiosity, when I was coming to, I mean, I went back home to see my parents and then when coming back to United States I just want to stop by to see how he's doing. So, I stopped by Kuwait and got a Kuwaiti visa and I went inside and I found him I found him in there was like he was working in like... he was working as a bus driver over there and but it's tough life for them. This like one small room, maybe like 10 foot by 12 foot and there are like six or seven people, seven or eight people lives in that small room and there are like small rooms and all in a row and people... like every room has like, you know, eight, nine Bangladeshi people and they have common kitchen and common bathrooms. I don't know how people live their life over, but they put some food and you eat together and this is a very serious life and they save some money and send it to their families back home. Then after they finish their work after 5, 6, 7 years or 10 years or 12 years when they go back home, their money's gone, their family already used them and everything and they lost everything, it’s tough life.

MATIN: Did you ever learn about New York or United States history in school in Bangladesh?

TASLIM: Yes, I remember studying the Gettysburg address for Lincoln, of the People By the People for the People a long time and when I was in high school, so I still even that and it was a nice that also actually inspire me to that's a free country and you can be what you want to be. Nobody I mean, there is religious freedom... I mean freedom of religion, freedom of speech and everything and yes, if you mind your own business and take care of people, if you're a good citizen, you have every right to do the good.

MATIN: Do you know anyone who did contract marriages in order to get their citizenship, like marry African American women or women of other races in order to get their citizenship?

TASLIM: No, I met one person, not that time, but he does a real marriage because this guy is from one of my village area, when I used to live in Bangladesh, he’s my father's some kind of relatives. He came here I think 1922, 1922. So, he came here as a ship... a ship... I think as a... I don't know... ship worker and then he came here, and he married to African American, and he had four children and they are all established and when I was in New York, I saw them I used to visit them and they were very nice to me, as a matter of fact, one of the girls sponsored me in school and she used to be a train operator, MTA and also his brother used to be married, one brother used to be married and other sisters, they work in different places. He used to... I call him my kind of uncle because my father's related. So, then... his first when his wife died, passed away, has four children here so he went back home to Bangladesh. He get married again and he has four children over there. So, when those children came to United States after he passed away, so I took care of them when they... I teach them English and everything and go to school and help them with... in going around New York City. Now thank God they are very big one of them is a correction officer and other is working in an IT firm. They're all of them are in good position. So yes, he married African American but not for just the citizenship. I mean, he led the family and he's a good family. All the children have grown up and they are very nice family.

MATIN: What was the immigration process like for you?

TASLIM: Ah, it was lengthy because I was a company sponsor, I had to go through labor certification and I have to go two to three lawyers, very expensive and very lengthy procedure. But anyway, it took me like almost five years to get my green card another five years for my citizenship. So, I lost ten years of my life, but thank God, it came.

MATIN: How did you feel after you got your citizenship?

TASLIM: Same as when I get my green card, because I know, I'll be... this country give me so much stuff so and I would like to give it back. I mean, I want to do something for this country. So yes, I'm trying to serve this country, my country and I'm serving service members. So, I'm proud to do that.

MATIN: Did you ever hear of other Bengalis immigrating to different countries other than America?

TASLIM: Yeah. So, what happened, Bangladesh, they have good very good engineering and medical schools so the when the students came out, they don't have any opportunities back home. But they are very bright and shine students. So, wherever they wanted to go, they go. So now most of the students now they're migrants in either Australia or Canada because if you are a very good student, and you know and want to do your PhD and stuff. So now a big chunk of Bangladeshi students and like, educated people, like engineers, doctors, they're migrating to Canada and Australia.

MATIN: What was it like working with other groups of people?

TASLIM: Like other groups of people? Yeah, I mean, now I'm working in office... their different from...

MATIN: When you first immigrated to New York, what was it like working with other groups of people?

TASLIM: I didn't feel that... I was comfortable because after I finished my schooling and everything because the schools I had to go to a lot of cultural thing because they had this international... New York is kind of an international city you can say, you can have like people from all over the world. So, because we are mixed culture, so I didn't have that much problem.

MATIN: Do you still reminisce about your life in Bangladesh?

TASLIM: No, I mean, I just missed those days and my father was alive and we had a good life. That time we used to go to school together, play together, my kids. But now we are all grown up. So, I missed those days, but not these days.

MATIN: What is your favorite memory of Bangladesh or your life there?

TASLIM: Yeah, growing up playing with my friends and playing, even playing with my brother sisters going places and still we talk to each other over phone and we have sometimes live meeting, talking. So yeah, we are still for like four of us, three of them are in Bangladesh and as a matter of fact, my sister comes here some time, because she's a... she used to be an advisor of Homeland Security and DOD. So, she's a chemical engineer and then she goes different places, different countries and she's also a professor. So, we get together even though when I try to meet them, if I don't come to go, they can come over here and visit me.

TASLIM: How do you keep track of events that took place in Bangladesh after you left?

TASLIM: I actually don't keep any track, I just asked my brother, what's happening, you need any help anything? Because after I came over here after 10 years, I totally you know, because the politics is their problem now, because I'm not a part of those problems. But if anybody needed help, you know, my family or anything, I can send money and ask them and help them.

MATIN: Is there anything you would change about your life or your immigration journey?

TASLIM: Not really, because time goes on what happened... the immigration I wish, you know, it would be earlier because by the time I found the company, after five years, it took the company five years, I have to work there five years, and you know, almost 15 years of life, 15 years of my life, going through this process. But anyway, better late than never and I'm enjoying myself.

MATIN: Do you have any regrets?

TASLIM: No, I'm happy, because what happened... I was sick, as I told you before, and I had operation and everything, thank God I was here and then the medical, of course, the United States, medical healthcare is the best I mean, not insurance wise, but the doctor wise is very good here, in treatment and everything. So, if I would have get sick in Bangladesh, they wouldn’t have saved me, because they don't have treatment that time. When I was sick, those treatments were and the medicine are not available in Bangladesh. So, I'm happy that I was here that time.

MATIN: What accomplishments are you most proud of?

TASLIM: Ah I... my education. I went to school here and I get my, you know, degrees here and I'm using that education to serve this country, my country and I'm trying my best.

MATIN: Is there anything else you would want to share about your life or your immigration journey?

TASLIM: Yes, wherever you are, be educated. Go to school, finish your school and teach your kids and all good things, good manners and everything. So just be educated and yeah, don't go for money, go for education and then money will come to you. That’s it.