The Moth Radio Hour: Immigration Nation
Released on April 16, 2019
Hosted by The Moth

Overview

In the "Immigration Nation" episode of The Moth Radio Hour, host Jennifer Hixson delves into the nuanced and personal immigrant experiences that shape lives in America. Through three compelling true stories, listeners gain intimate insights into the challenges, cultural adjustments, and profound connections forged by immigrants from Guatemala, India, and Iran. The episode transcends statistics and headlines, presenting raw and heartfelt narratives that highlight resilience, adaptation, and the enduring quest for belonging.

1. Nestor Gomez: Navigating Cultural Shock and Language Barriers

Timestamp: [03:00] – [14:03]

Background:
Nestor Gomez shares his journey from Guatemala to the United States at the age of 15, a move driven by the turmoil of civil war. Settling in Chicago, Nestor and his family confront a starkly different environment, grappling with extensive cultural and linguistic differences.

Key Points:

• Initial Culture Shock:
  Nestor describes the overwhelming differences between Guatemala and the U.S. For instance, encountering Lake Michigan for the first time left him and his family in awe, likening it to an ocean rather than a lake.

  "When we went to see the Lake Michigan in Chicago for the first time, we were surprised because it was so huge. It didn't look like a lake, it looked like the ocean." [03:10]

• Language Barriers and Stuttering:
  Previously overcoming a childhood stutter, Nestor finds himself stuttering again upon arrival in the U.S., adding to his sense of alienation.

  "I'm going to be a bilingual stutterer." [04:20]

• Education and Family Roles:
  The shift from summer to winter schooling schedules disrupts Nestor's routine. As the eldest, he becomes the family's translator, a role fraught with pressure and limitations due to his limited English proficiency.

• Coping Mechanisms and Family Bonding:
  To improve their English, Nestor and his brother cease watching Spanish-language TV, opting instead to study English shows and practice speaking. This collective effort strengthens their familial bonds but also highlights their struggle to assimilate.

  "From now on, when we come back from school, we're going to watch TV in English only." [11:45]

• Emotional Turmoil:
  A failed attempt to help his brother with an oral test leads to ridicule and frustration, deepening Nestor's resolve to adapt but also exposing his vulnerabilities.

  "We felt like we didn't belong. In fact, the only place that we felt like we belonged was at home at our tiny apartment." [07:30]

Conclusion:
Nestor's story underscores the complexities of immigrant life, where the pursuit of better opportunities intertwines with the pain of leaving one's cultural roots. His determination to help his brother and improve their English exemplifies the resilience many immigrants embody.

2. Anaga Mahajan: Confronting the Healthcare System Amidst Fear and Isolation

Timestamp: [15:06] – [21:29]

Background:
Anaga Mahajan recounts a harrowing bike accident in the United States, highlighting the intersection of healthcare accessibility and immigrant fears. Her narrative sheds light on the broader implications of immigration status on personal well-being and trust in vital institutions.

Key Points:

• The Accident:
  Anaga describes her bicycle crash caused by a distraction from the "Baby Shark" song, resulting in severe dental injuries.

  "I could hear my tooth enamel breaking and there was a buzz in my head." [16:10]

• Seeking Help Amidst Fear:
  Despite her injuries, Anaga and her husband hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance, fearing interactions might jeopardize their immigration status.

  "This is not our home country? Or is it our home?" [19:45]

• Encounter with Healthcare Professionals:
  Anaga expresses disappointment with the lack of empathy and professionalism from some hospital staff, contrasting it with the kindness of a helpful stranger.

  "None of my colleagues ever brings it up. And in the end, that's the best that we can do." [20:21]

• Emotional and Physical Struggles:
  The prolonged wait for treatment and inadequate care amplify feelings of helplessness and alienation, despite the initial assistance from a compassionate passerby.

  "That towel had given me the strength and his kindness had given me the strength to endure all the pain." [20:21]

• Reflection on Home and Belonging:
  Anaga grapples with her identity and sense of belonging, questioning whether the U.S. has truly become home despite years of residency.

  "This moment in that tiny apartment, we just needed to be a family." [13:30]

Conclusion:
Anaga's experience underscores the precarious balance immigrants maintain between seeking essential services and fearing repercussions related to their immigration status. Her story highlights the critical need for empathy and understanding within healthcare systems serving immigrant populations.

3. Zeeshan Naimedin: The Silent Struggles of Fear in Healthcare

Timestamp: [25:32] – [30:58]

Background:
Zeeshan Naimedin, a lung and intensive care physician, shares a poignant encounter with a young Mexican American patient whose fear of deportation led to a delayed cancer diagnosis and ultimately, his untimely death.

Key Points:

• Patient's Fear and Delay in Seeking Help:
  The patient, though a U.S. citizen born to undocumented parents, avoided seeking medical attention fearing deportation repercussions.

  "What made you wait? ... if you go to a hospital, if you go anywhere where the system is, you may get deported." [26:10]

• Tragic Outcome:
  Despite being a talented sous chef, the patient's fear resulted in a testicular cancer diagnosis too late for effective treatment, culminating in his death six months later.

  "Cancer can be beaten... But this guy was just so scared for his parents that he waited." [28:45]

• Healthcare Professionals' Commitment:
  Zeeshan emphasizes that medical staff remain dedicated to patient care irrespective of immigration status, striving to provide quality care without discrimination.

  "I've never met a single physician, nurse, social worker who gives a fuck what your immigration status is." [29:30]

• Systemic Issues and Personal Reflections:
  The story prompts reflections on systemic barriers and the pervasive fear among immigrants, suggesting that misinformation exacerbates these challenges.

  "How many other people like that are there who just don't want to go see a doctor or don't want to see a lawyer or whatever because they're so scared." [29:15]

Conclusion:
Zeeshan's narrative highlights the deadly consequences of fear and misinformation surrounding immigration and healthcare. It serves as a call to address the systemic issues that deter immigrants from seeking necessary medical care, ultimately saving lives.

4. Zahra Norbash: Bridging Two Worlds and the Heartache of Separation

Timestamp: [32:20] – [46:10]

Background:
Zahra Norbash, a comedian based in California, narrates her childhood experiences of immigrating from Iran, intertwining humor with the profound sense of displacement and longing for her homeland.

Key Points:

• Early Childhood in America:
  Zahra reminisces about her early days in the U.S., juxtaposing the memories of her Iranian family's nightly phone calls with her lack of direct connection to her extended family abroad.

  "I grew up here, and I had never met them before, these disembodied voices, these ghosts on the other side of the phone." [34:00]

• Cultural and Familial Tensions:
  The story captures the tension between assimilating into American culture and maintaining ties to Iranian traditions, leading to feelings of isolation and identity conflict.

  "I had a tough time making friends... None of those are your real friends anyway. You have 100 people who love you no matter what in Iran." [39:20]

• Recreational Challenges and Parental Struggles:
  Zahra recounts a vivid memory of getting lost on a bus ride, highlighting her parents' anxiety and the lack of reliable support systems.

  "The bus driver laughs at her and says, lady, if there were less of you in the world, we'd all be better off anyways." [41:30]

• Resilience and Success in Adulthood:
  Despite past hardships, Zahra celebrates her achievements in the U.S., from her career in comedy to her active role in fostering social change, illustrating the complex layers of immigrant success.

  "I've done incredible things... These are things that would have been unimaginable if we had stayed in Iran." [43:50]

• The Heartache of Separation:
  Zahra reflects on the emotional toll of separation from her extended family, capturing the bittersweet reality of building a new life while yearning for connections left behind.

  "I hope to return to pick fruit in my grandparents' orchard, dance with my aunts, laugh with my uncles..." [45:00]

Conclusion:
Zahra's narrative beautifully encapsulates the duality of immigrant life—embracing new opportunities while grappling with the lingering shadows of the past. Her story is a testament to the strength and adaptability required to bridge two distinct worlds.

Final Reflections

The Moth Radio Hour: Immigration Nation transcends mere storytelling by weaving together personal experiences that reflect broader societal themes. Each narrative—from Nestor's cultural assimilation and family dynamics, Anaga's struggle with healthcare amidst fear, Zeeshan's poignant medical encounter, to Zahra's duality of success and longing—paints a vivid tapestry of the immigrant journey in America. These stories collectively highlight the resilience, adaptability, and enduring hope that define the immigrant spirit, urging listeners to look beyond the headlines and appreciate the human stories that shape the nation.

Notable Quotes:

• Nestor Gomez on feeling alienated:

  "We felt like we didn't belong. In fact, the only place that we felt like we belonged was at home at our tiny apartment." [07:30]

• Anaga Mahajan on compassion amid chaos:

  "That towel had given me the strength and his kindness had given me the strength to endure all the pain." [20:21]

• Zeeshan Naimedin on the impact of fear:

  "How many other people like that are there who just don't want to go see a doctor or don't want to see a lawyer or whatever because they're so scared." [29:15]

• Zahra Norbash on familial connections:

  "I had never met them before, these disembodied voices, these ghosts on the other side of the phone." [34:00]

Additional Resources:

For more stories and to view photos from the episode, visit themoth.org. If you have your own immigrant story to share, The Moth encourages you to pitch your narrative through their website or by calling 877-799-MOTH.