Immigrants Share a Lesson on Freedom

Peter Carapetian recounted his escape from Iran in 1978. On the eve of the revolution, with the city in flames and tanks rolling down the streets, the former photographer took one of the last planes out of Tehran and fled to Germany.

Even though he never saw his country or parents again, he considers himself “extremely lucky to be here speaking to you,” Carapetian, 62, told a group of Los Angeles students.

Carapetian was one of nine people, including immigrants from Latvia, Honduras and China, who shared their stories this week with a group of 9- and 10-year-olds at the Mirman School for gifted children. The panel discussion culminated a social studies lesson seeking to expose students to the struggles and experiences shared by people coming to the U.S.

Students have been reading historical fiction, watching videos and doing computer research in what teachers hope also will broaden their understanding of ethnic diversity.

The private Westside school, which enrolls 370 students, has organized similar discussions for the last three years.

“I’ve noticed a difference teaching this unit this year because of Sept. 11,” said teacher Leanne Statland. “There’s a stronger understanding of what it means to be American.”

Students took notes as they listened to such speakers as Oscar Maldonado, who emigrated from Honduras to Miami in 1993 with $100 in his pocket, minimal English skills and dreams of playing professional soccer.

“I always wanted to have nice sneakers,” he joked, using the image to describe the hope he had for a better life in a new country. Maldonado, 35, is now a chess teacher, and one of his students, 10-year-old Neil Moody, asked him to be a speaker.

Jack Lee, who left Canton, China, in 1947, spoke of the racism he encountered in San Francisco as he started a career as a banker.

Herbert Hofman, who was born in Poland and liberated from a concentration camp in 1945, described the 19 days he spent on a fishing boat on his way to the United States. There were 175 people on the boat meant to carry 25, said the retired grocery store owner.

Ten-year-old Sean Kesluk said Carapetian’s flight from Tehran had the most impact on him: “He came from Iran and had to give up all his belongings to come to this country. You really appreciate how we are free in this country.”