American Dream by Sheylin Berrceril Garcia
Two objects lie before me: a framed diploma and a painted collage, Ja-K’iche’, 2023 by Estefania Ajcip. At first glance, they appear unrelated–one a symbol of academic achievement, the other a deeply personal representation of a father’s labor. Yet, both narrate the same story: the sacrifices made by immigrant parents to provide a better life for their children.
In the photograph above, we can see three colors, black, grey, and white. The monochromatic scheme emphasizes simplicity yet timelessness and symbolizes the recognition of academic achievement. The typography in the diploma features elegant and traditional fonts that convey formality and prestige. The institution's name prominently displayed highlights its credibility, while the graduate’s name takes center stage, a testament to their hard work and perseverance. The specific degree and signature at the bottom validate its authenticity, a powerful knowledge that can no longer be taken away from the graduate.
Beyond its design, the diploma carries profound personal significance. It represents years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. For first-generation graduates like my brother, it is more than just a piece of paper; it’s a bridge between two generations. He created that bridge between our parents and us. My parents immigrated to the United States over 25 years ago. They never had the privilege of receiving a higher level of education since both of them couldn’t afford to go past the 6th grade. Living in a house made out of sticks and working from the age of 12 to the age of 19 in various jobs, they moved to another country to be able to provide better opportunities for their family. They came into the unknown, unaware of how it would completely change their lives.
Growing up, my siblings and I never thought that we’d have the opportunity to receive a higher level of education. We’d be lucky enough to make it past middle school, much less high school. It wasn’t until my older brother joined the Advancement Via Individual Determination (A VID) program when he learned that college was a possibility for him, and us. I recall the days when he’d come home from school and begin to educate us on the endless possibilities of what we can become and achieve through further schooling. Soon we realized that the only way out of the projects was to better prepare and educate ourselves, we were our parents’ retirement plan, and now we’re working hard to make that dream a reality.
The diploma has served as a reminder of the sacrifices not only my brother has made, but the strong work ethic my parents have had working 80+ hours a week for the last 27 years to provide for our family. It highlights the importance of the American Dream. My parents arrived with nothing years ago, reminding me that with determination and hard work, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I believe that often people who have had generations of their families attend college seem to overlook the importance of what a diploma signifies, but for first-generation students it’s proof that we’ve shattered expectations, crossed barriers, and stepped onto a campus that we once thought was never meant for us.
The painting that contributes to how I see my brother’s diploma is the aforementioned Ja-K’iche’ by Estefania Ajcip. She envisions her father working at a fabric factory as she sits under the table. Ajcip reflects on how her father moved to Los Angeles, driven by the need to provide his family with a better life. Portraying herself beside her father, she captures the sacrifices her father had made, showcasing his unwavering commitment to providing them with a brighter future.
When I first saw the painting, it brought me to tears, reminding me of the sacrifices my parents have made that I’ve personally overlooked. Ajcip writes how, over time and due to the distance, she grew apart from her father. It wasn’t until she moved from Guatemala to Los Angeles that she reconnected with her father and discovered multiple letters that he had written for her and her sisters. Both the painting and diploma highlight the profound sacrifice immigrant parents make for their children to get them to where they are today. We won’t ever forget where we’ve come from or where we are going.