The Exodus: One Immigrant's Journey to America

By Basil Knight

Over the years, I have interacted with a number of immigrants, not only from Jamaica but from other countries as well. One thing they all have in common is their journey to America, and living in America. The thing that struck me the most was how close some of their journeys resembled each other, even though they were total strangers. Most of the immigrants I associate with never rose to any position of great importance, wealth, or status. What was most important to them was the journey. This story is one of such which mirrors that of thousands of immigrants. No glamour, just a journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886544367

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The Exodus

One Immigrant's Journey to America

Basil Knight

Copyright © 2022 Basil Knight

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 979-8-88654-434-3 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88654-436-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

About the Author

Preface

This is an immigrant story about one man's journey to and in America.

Most of the information in this story is based on events that happened over decades and in different states, among a number of different people. Some of which are still alive today. So out of an abundance of caution, we will be using fictitious names where applicable to shield these participants' privacy and for legal reasons as well.

This journey starts out in Kingston, Jamaica, during the early 1960s and 1970s and is still being played out today.

Chapter 1

America is a nation that was founded by immigrants. The earliest ones were known as the Pilgrims. They came from Europe. It is said that the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was met by Red Indians, who according to historians were the original inhabitants of America. The Indians lived a primitive life, so it was no difficult task for the Europeans to overpower them and take their lands and valuables. The Pilgrims had the use of gunpowder, while the Indians had bows and arrows. As time went by, the Europeans needed a labor force to build their empire on the land that they had taken by force from the Indians. So they brought slaves from Africa, and indentured servants from Asia, and India, to build bridges, railroads, industries, and all the infrastructure that made America what it is today.

While the construction of America progressed, the migration continued even after slavery was supposed to have been abolished, and the act itself of using people for free labor against their will continued. Some of the labor force came by way of immigrants. They came from all over the world hoping for a better life. Closest to North America were South America and the Caribbean; they provided the bulk of the labor force. Jamaica was one of those islands that contributed to the migration that took place during the Industrial Revolution. That brings us to the story we are about to embark on—not one of great intellectual or political value, just a vast section of the population that exists in America, but is never talked about.

Peter Gallimore grew up in Eastern Kingston, Jamaica. The son of a Jamaican father, Bill, and a Panamanian mother, Pearl, he had one brother and four sisters—he was the middle child.

In August of 1962, Jamaica got its independence from England. Because Jamaica was the largest English-speaking island to gain its independence from England, the island was buzzing with excitement. It is always exciting to be first. Everywhere you went on the island, people were singing and dancing—overjoyed at the thought of being independent of England.

Peter followed the John Canoe procession all along one of Kingston's main thoroughfares, Windward Road, from East Kingston, where they met up with thousands of other people who were also celebrating in an area called Parade which is in downtown Kingston. You could smell and hear the peanut man on his bicycle cart. It was a festive period—everyone appeared to be having a good time and looking out for his fellow man. The love was real; there was no arguing, no fighting. For Jamaica that is unusual. Jamaicans tend to be overly aggressive with each other, so whenever a large crowd assembled, arguing and fighting usually starts, but not on this day, the entire country was in a happy mood.

You could hug total strangers (Jamaicans don't even hug their own family, much fewer strangers), and it was okay; the unity was real. The motto was, Out of many one people, and they meant it at least for that day. It was beautiful to watch. Life was simple and good back then—the future was bright and promising, and the pride of the country was on full display for everyone to see. Even though the country was poor, the culture was rich beyond belief.

Peter's parents were Christians. His mother, who everyone called Sister Pearl, was active in the church, and so was Peter. He sold books for the church as a colporteur. This was a program the church used as a means to get revenue, while the seller gets a percentage of the sales to help with school tuition, usually at the church schools. Peter was also a pathfinder and quite active in the church.

During that period, Peter's dad migrated to the United States for work. His mother was the sole provider for the family. Remember she had six kids. Now if you know anything about Kingston, in the sixties, being a single mother with six children is no easy task.

Here's what you need to know about Sister Pearl. This woman is the kindest, most humble person you could ever come in contact with. She had no riches but was always giving. How she found so much to give away defies logic. Her habit of giving reminds one of the stories in the Bible where Jesus used the five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed thousands of people, and after they were fed, the disciples gathered up several baskets of crumbs. Sister Pearl always had something to give. She was loved by everyone. Even the gangsters who roamed the neighborhood streets of Kingston loved her. It would not be unusual to see a Rastaman stop at her gate to get a slice of her cornmeal pudding. She was just a God blessed person, and that might account for how she could feed so many people in the community and still have enough to feed her six children all by herself.

Occasionally, the church would hold a movie night at the church where Peter attended with his mother and other siblings. They conduct recreational programs like that from time to time.

On this particular occasion, the movie night featured Oliver Twist" A classic movie by Charles Dickens. One character in the movie is called the Artful Dodger. He was good at stealing by picking people's pockets. Most of the boys at the church were impressed with the confidence he displayed in stealing that they decided to copy him.

Peter and three of his friends from church decided to go out in the city to perform an act of bravery that could mirror the Artful Dodger—maybe even outdo him. Peter remembers passing a Jewelry store on his way to and from school each day. If he could figure out a way to get a piece of expensive jewelry—that would make him win the contest.

Peter started watching the store more closely each day as he would go by on the way to school. On this particular day, Peter saw a customer go into the store and request to see an item from the glass counter that displayed the jewelry. While both men were inspecting the item Peter casually walked into the store and before the customer could react Peter grabbed the box, from the customer and ran out of the store. The customer chased after Peter but he was able to get away.

The worst thing that could happen to someone who steals in Jamaica is to steal and get caught by the citizens. Some thieves are beaten close to death. It's barbaric, but it keeps people from stealing or getting very good at getting away.

Back at church, the boys compared what they had stolen for the competition. Peter earned the title of the Artful Dodger because his gold cuff links were not only the most expensive, but they took more courage to acquire. This one act of so-called bravery had given Peter so much courage that it made him think that he could get away with anything. It paved the way for what was to come later in his life. This was Peter's first attempt at criminal activity. Just imagine a life of crime that started at church from watching a movie about Oliver Twist.

Growing up in Jamaica was fun. It is difficult to compare, the way kids in urban America grow up, to their counterparts in the islands. For example, kids in America spend a lot of time indoors, playing video games, and on their cell phones, with social media, whether it's TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. But they are mostly indoors and stationary. They do so much online activity until they become addicts.

As a teenager in Jamaica, Peter remembered he could not wait for the sun to come up, so he could get out of the house. There was so much to do. Riding his skate in the McGregor Gully was a big thing back then; the competitions were fierce. Then there was the ball