Interview with
A Writer
The Writer:
Interviewed By:
Jean Brown Humburg
Mike Lambert, Publisher - WLR
May, 2013
Reflections on "Land of the Free"
Editor's Note: In 1939, Jean Brown wrote an essay for
her Freshman English class at Bay Ridge High School
in Brooklyn, NY entitled: Land of the Free. In that
essay she described the benefits that America receives
from the historic immigration pattern that had
occurred since our Country's founding. Jean kept her
essay for 70+ years and recently brought it to a
session of First Mondays with Moyers, a monthly
discussion group that meets at the Lake Wildwood
Community Center. In that session, Jean suggested
that the issue of immigration to the United States still
raises controversy in our country today. In this
interview, Mike Lambert asks Jean to reflect on her
original essay and discuss her thoughts on the
"Immigration Problem" that some people see today.
You can find Jean's 1939 essay in this May 2013 issue
of the WLR. Go to the Current Literature Contents
page of our web site to find it.
Mike: Tell us about the neighborhood that Jean Brown grew up in.
Jean: Everyone in our neighborhood was from another country. Ours was a commercial street
and had mixed housing and shops. There were mainly Italian immigrants who lived in cold
water flats. The Bay Ridge district was home to a large Scandinavian population. My father
initially owned a small furniture store (where I was born) which gradually expanded until he
owned 3 stores in Bay Ridge. Both of my parents were from Hungary. My mother emigrated in
1905 from Budapest with her mother and 5 siblings, sailing 2nd class on the SS Rotterdam. My
father avoided conscription by coming to the USA from a village in Northeastern Hungary. He
came alone in 1912 at age 19 and had to go through Ellis Island.
Mike: The last name of Brown does not sound very Hungarian to me. Did your Dad change his
name to blend into American society?
Jean: My father's real name was Braun, pronounced Brown. His first name was Mono or
Manuel. When he was hired by Oscar Hammerstein for the new Firefly Opera Company at age
20, they changed his first name to William so it would read better in the program. But that's
another story.
Mike: A lot has changed in this country, the world, and in your life, Jean, since you wrote that
essay in 1939. What thoughts do you have on your essay when reading it in today's
circumstances?
Jean: When I re-read the essay, I was amazed how very little in attitude has changed towards
immigration. The difference today is that many of the immigrants do not want to assimilate.
They want to maintain their former familiar ethnicity. In the great migration, in the 1800s and
early 1900s, those who came over truly wanted to be Americanized, especially their children.
Even though segments of the population formed segregated areas, i.e. Chinatown, Little Italy,
Germantown, etc., the children learned English and were encouraged by their parents to adopt
the ways of this country.
In the era when my parents arrived, there were definite requirements and restrictions for entry.
Someone had to physically vouch for them; they had to be assured of a place to reside, have a
prospect of a job; have no communicable diseases, and not be affiliated with a radical
organization.
Mike: What do you think America should do about the estimated 11 million 'illegal' immigrants
who now reside in the U.S.?
Jean: Illegal means not lawful. But we have gotten ourselves into an untenable position where
it would be inhumane and impossible to send millions back to their country of origin. The
majority are already part of our system and contribute to our economy. In the future, there
should be quotas and eligibility for qualified positions.
Mike: What lesson do you think we senior citizens can take away from your 1939 essay?
Jean: Don't throw anything away - in time everything becomes new again.
Mike: What thoughts would you like to leave with your grandchildren about the way America
has absorbed immigrants for the last 200 years?
Jean: The young people of today have a better understanding of today's world. My
grandchildren have always lived in a big metropolis. They survived 9/11 and saw Arab-type
individuals celebrating on a nearby roof top. Yet, they are unprejudiced as to race, color, religion
and are supportive of human rights. They think there should be a path to citizenship for all. But I
feel there should be requirements along the path so when it is attained, it should be honored
and respected. Technology - good or bad - has taken down the barriers and we might as well
choose to live harmoniously.
Mike: Thanks for your thoughts, Jean. There are probably not many of us senior citizens who
can trace our thinking on a topic this complex from when we were kids, to our views on it today.
Jean Brown Humburg is a long time resident of Lake Wildwood and has been writing various kinds of
material for many years. In her younger years, she served as a news correspondent for the Daily Times
in Melbourne, FL and the Times-Union in Jacksonville, FL. In the 1990’s, she wrote a monthly column
for The Wildwood Independent newspaper entitled “Jean Comes Clean.” She also led a writing
workshop in Wildwood which ran for 10 years in the 90’s. Jean has written and compiled 2 light
hearted books with her voluminous short stories: Honk If You Like Canada Geese, and Honk Again.
You can send comments to Jean at: [email protected]
Mike Lambert is a resident of Lake Wildwood. In his work life, he spent 35 years in the
telecommunications industry and 15 years teaching business courses at San Francisco State University.
He was a member of the Recreation Committee for 9 years and is the architect of the Wildwood
Lifelong Learning Program. He has served as the Publisher of the WLR since it was established in
March 2011. You can send comments to Mike at [email protected].
File: 513-I-Humburg-Lambert14in-pdf
Click here to return to Current Literature Contents