When I Got Here
Immigrants share inspiring personal stories of why they left their homelands, how they got to the U.S., and the lives they are making here. They meet the challenges of a new land with determination, perseverance, resilience, and creativity.
Listeners will see America through their eyes and renew their appreciation for the land we love.
When I Got Here is narrated, edited and written by Byron Harris. Harris is a longtime Dallas journalist and winner of two Peabody Awards.
Original music by John Wesley Gibson, composer-in-residence for the Dallas Winds.
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When I Got Here
Fable and Fact: Professor Jeffrey Engel
Jeffrey Engel is a historian who directs the Center for Presidential History at SMU Center for Presidential History | Center for Presidential History (smu.edu). He is the author of over a dozen books on American history, and an expert on immigration to the U.S. https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Center-for-Presidential-History/About/People/Staff/Engel
His own family emigrated from Eastern Europe before World War II. Those who did not were lost in the holocaust.
Professor Engel discusses the fable of the Statue of Liberty, uncovers the historical pattern of welcome successive waves of immigrants to the U.S. experienced, and suggests a realistic message of hope for our immigrants.
Listen to The Center for Presidential History’s own podcast series: The Past The Promise The Presidency The Past, the Promise, the Presidency (pastpromisepresidency.com).