Building America: HFC retirees publish stories of local immigrants

HFC retirees and authors Dr. Mary Assel and L. Glenn O’Kray have pooled their talents, collaborating on Building America: Immigrant Stories of Hope and Hardship, a non-fiction book that was recently featured in the Dearborn Press & Guide.

“Glenn and I thought it would be a great way to remind those who don't support immigrants that they, too, in most cases, are descendants of immigrants who came to the United States to improve their lives and the lives of the people around them. The book is about immigrants who came to this country to build a better life for themselves. It relays the struggles and hardships they faced while trying to make a living. Many of them were educated but fled their countries to avoid persecution, while others came to seek an education for themselves and their children,” explained Assel, of Northville.

Added O’Kray: “It's good to give recognition to their plight. The book tells the joys and sorrows of immigrants. While most immigrants are happy, not all are. It is the story of human history with everyone having his or her own story.”

Impetus to write the book

Assel worked at HFC from 1999 to 2012. She was director of the English Language Institute (ELI), where she worked with nearly 90 different nationalities. Prior to coming to HFC, she taught and ran the bilingual program for 10 years in the Dearborn Public Schools. Assel, who has a doctorate in education from Wayne State University, is the author of A Sprinkle of Dust: A Mother’s Struggle with Loss and Healing and 25 Icons of Peace in the Quran.

A Dearborn resident, O’Kray worked at the College for 45 years – 30 years as the Director of Financial Aid and 15 years as an adjunct instructor. He has written several non-fiction books about the history of Dearborn, including his upcoming book about historic homes between Cherry Hill and Michigan Avenue.

An alumnus of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Dearborn, O’Kray has a bachelor’s degree in history from what is now the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and a master’s degree in industrial relations from the University of Minnesota. He also completed some coursework at Wayne State Law School.

For four years, Assel and O’Kray worked with the Committee to Promote Better Understanding of Islam. While working with this committee, they decided to write Building America.

“We came up with the idea once we realized that our government was incarcerating undocumented immigrants and banning legal immigrants from coming to this country. We hope the book will be a reminder that we are all immigrants, except for the indigenous people and the enslaved people who were brought to this country against their will,” explained Assel.

31 stories, several with HFC connections

Building America contains 31 stories, including an introductory poem that is “one of the most powerful stories in the book,” said Assel.

“These stories show how people have struggled and are struggling. No one is here for a free lunch. Most are grateful to be here,” said O’Kray.

Of the 31 stories, several people with HFC ties made contributions, including:

• HFC English Professor Emeritus Dr. Nancy Owen Nelson
• HFC English instructor Geraldine Grunow
• HFC mathematics instructor Marina Terterian
• Retired HFC Spanish instructor Victoria Kolias
• Retired HFC ELI co-director Ed Demerly

“Storytelling has been a part of human culture since before we could write. The oral tradition was an essential way to share information and form bonds with others. The written word carries on that tradition. That is what this book does – validate and celebrate the stories of those who have come to this country to make a good life – be it hundreds of years ago or more recently,” said Nelson.

Hope and hardship

“The strongest common denominator in the book is hope and hardship,” said Assel. “Today, most people in the country are rising to fight discrimination and hate. It is very important for community centers, college campuses, and religious institutions to raise awareness of racism and segregation. Community education through campus groups can make a difference in how students perceive each other and how they may raise awareness to the injustice of discrimination. The stories in this book will open the door for discussion. Readers will be encouraged to influence policy at the federal and state level. By reading these stories and raising awareness about others, immigrants can be perceived in a different light.”

It took the authors one year to gather, organize, write, and edit the 31 stories in the book. They went through a total of eight drafts – four before and four after submitting to the editor/publisher.

Assel and O’Kray will give all royalties to legal immigrants in holding. Funds will be channeled through the American Civil Liberties Union – Immigrant Foundation program. In addition to learning about other cultures, religions, and values, by buying this book, readers will have the opportunity to offer financial assistance to legal immigrants.

“Many were not comfortable sharing their stories, and it was only after we informed them that their story would bring relief to thousands of immigrants across the country did they write or verbally share their story,” said Assel. “It was also a relief to know that many showed interest in the book’s theme ‘coping with change’ in that all immigrants face changes of all sorts immediately and long-term when they move to the United States.”

This book is available for purchase on Amazon.