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Daysi with her siblings and mother in 1992 (from left to right - Bottom row: Jovanny, Nancy, and Daysi. Top row: Rosa and Rosa Carmelina).
Introduction
Introduction
For the WeSearch product for US History, I decided to research and learn more about my mother, Daysi Uzho. My reason for doing so was because I wanted to know more details about her life in Ecuador, where she was born. It doesn't come up in conversation much because she is a person who looks toward the future and often doesn't turn back. In order to research my mother, I interviewed her twice as well as one of her younger sisters, Maria Uzho. Upon doing so, I learned really interesting details about my family. Something really intriguing was that they used to live on top of an estuary, in a house made of cane. They were raised above the riverbed and would have thin wooden bridges connecting each of the rickety houses. They would have a full view of the estuary simply by looking out the front door. I was told that my family has stayed on that same plot of land for decades, ever since my grandparents Luis Uzho and Rosa Sumba married and moved in. The estuary is now gone, and in its place are concrete roads and buildings. Rosa and 2 of her my aunts currently live there. I also found it interesting that my grandparents kept having children because they hoped to have a second son after the birth of their first, Jovanny.
A Brief Biography
A Brief Biography
Daysi was born on Jan. 28th, 1985 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She is the second child to her parents, Luis Vicente Uzho and Rosa Carmelina Sumba. The reason for Daysi's uniquely spelt name is due to a clerical error at Ecuador's registry office. Apparently the agent had misunderstood Luis when he tried explaining how to spell Daysi's name after her birth. As a result, Daysi's name is not spelled the traditional way, D-A-I-S-Y. While Daysi's name resulted from a complete accident, my grandparents found the unique spelling to be pretty and decided to keep.
Daysi's childhood home after it was reconstructed in 1995.
The Uzho's attending Luis' funeral alongside Abel Vicente, Daysi's grandfather (from bottom to top, left to right: Rosa, Nancy, Daysi, Abel, Rosa Carmelina, Jovanny, and Rosa).
Being the second child of Luis and Rosa, life in her cane house was quite hectic: it was very cramped for a family of 7. For Daysi, she lived a relatively normal childhood until the tragic death of her father in 1996. His death would have major ramifications on how Daysi's family operated as a unit. Both Daysi and Jovanny began working at 12 and 14 respectively in order to help out their mother and younger siblings. This as well as a major economic crisis in the 1990's would be the catalyst for Daisy embarking on a new journey to the US to support her family in Ecuador.
Daysi had always been persistent and determined, even as a child. Once in the United States, Daysi worked hard, seizing opportunities that came her way. Working a variety of jobs, including but not limited to: waitress, professional cleaner, nail technician, beauty consultant, and solar panel installer. Daysi worked hard to pave a way for herself in what many call the "Land of Opportunity" and just recently created her own solar installation company in 2021.
Daysi at an Atlanta City Convention as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. 2018.
How does your individual family member's story help you to understand the American Dream?
How does your individual family member's story help you to understand the American Dream?
When asked about the American Dream, Daysi thinks of it as working hard to become financially independent, so much so that you are able to live comfortably and retiring without worrying about money. Daysi has always been an extremely hard worker, doing everything she can do better her circumstances and find her way up from the poverty she experienced back in Ecuador. Her experience in coming to the United States and trying her absolute best to succeed in this land of opportunity has shown to her than hard work is the key to success. Had she not actively sought opportunities for herself, such as leveling up careers from being a waitress to eventually a business owner of a company, Daysi wouldn't be able to live the life that she currently lives. That isn't to say that there hasn't been any setbacks like the 2016 Presidential Election. It was so intrinsically connected with immigration and undocumented families that it caused fear amongst Hispanic communities showing the hostility that the American government held for these people. But Daysi is not one to back down, especially when the life she built in the US was at risk; she worked even harder to carry on through.
Time and time again, Daysi's experiences have reinforced her perception of the American Dream. What this tells me about American Dream is that while there may be certain grander aspects which affect certain peoples ability to achieve it like race or gender, staying persistent and dedicated can ensure success. Being a female entrepreneur of color who lacks some knowledge of English in a country whose very foundation was based on racist and sexist principles is certainly not the easiest of tasks. And yet she is a business owner of a successful company and which Daysi wishes to continue to expand. This is why Daysi's view on the American Dream is so in line with the modern version of it: you work hard to achieve wealth and rise social classes, she herself has had this experience. Daysi's story is also reflective of many immigrant families that wish to come to the United States. Many view this country as the one sure-fire way to achieve. Due to the geographical location of the US, it is the easiest developed country which many Latinos have access to and where they can achieve a better life for themselves. Many immigrants seek an escape from poverty, like Daysi, or seek refuge from danger, but they only have hard work to help them achieve their goals once they arrive. It can be inferred that this is the reason why the meaning of the American Dream has changed over time; when left with nothing, you only have yourself to rely on.
Excerpt from Narrative
Excerpt from Narrative
"On an extremely hot summer day, a family of 6 arose in the morning sun. The house was quiet; a deep, suffocating sorrow filled the halls. Getting up, one by one, they each carefully put on their best outfits for the day. They barely made a sound, as if a single creak of the floorboards would shatter it. The ride to the church was dreadful, slow and lifeless. The funeral was mind-numbing. What could only be heard were the tears and sorrow of everyone mourning the loss of a loved one. However, a young girl remained still, not a peep from her. She kept her head level and demeanor calm because he wouldn’t want her to mourn: this funeral was for her father, who she had lost at the young age of 11."
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