contents - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New York ...

ming xian (cindy) lin Finding Encouragement102“Yes, you can,” I said to him.“You are a very nice, patient and warm person. I hope next time I willmeet you again. I was born in the U.S.A. and my parents were born in the U.S.A.,too. But I went to China during World War II. I am a veteran, 89 years old. I havetwo children. My son lives in Manhattan, and my daughter lives upstate. I canspeak a little Chinese, but it’s difficult for me. You can speak English and canhelp Americans. Thank you again; I am very happy today.”“Is she your girlfriend?” The inspector inserted these words.I ignored her interruption.The man told her, “I have gotten very good service, and she speaksEnglish very well, and she can help our Americans.”I blushed with embarrassment because of his compliment.This is Ming Xian (Cindy) Lin’s third publication in the Literacy Review. “I wasborn in China. As a child, I endured the famine; and as an adolescent, I wasforced to farm in an area with no electricity, gas, water, and not enough food.”After immigrating to New York, “I worked very hard in garment factories.Today, I study at the University Settlement Society’s Family Literacy Program.Michael Hunter is the director. The classes have helped me a lot.”