Hariri 1

Rola Hariri
Professor Hudson
HON 1000 Section 518
October 23, 2015
Turning Life Around
It was a cold and bitter night, and my fellow workmates and I were finishing the bricked
archway for the landowner. It was about fifteen after seven and the archway needed somewhere
around an hour to be fully completed. However, our boss had made it clear he would cut down
our wages if the job was not done by that night. We were determined to finish it, no matter how
numb our bodies felt. Once completed, I returned home to my wife and two kids. My wife,
Grisella, told me she had great news for me.
DEIDRICK! The paperboy delivered this document to me while you were at work. Look
at it please.
The document was a manual from the Ford Motor Company in the state of Michigan in
the United States. In this manual, it introduced a specific lifestyle to abide by if employed at
Ford, along with employment qualifications (Ford Manual). Grisella knew how terrible working
conditions were for me here in Germany, and she had faith I could live a better life in the United
States. As the Great Depression began taking its course, it hit Germany harder than any other
country. Over 20 million working people in the country were affected (Depression Affect
German People). My job as a smith was in jeopardy, and soon enough, I had become another
unemployed man in Germany (Joos, Southern German Village). The only job offerings were
those provided by the wealthy, giving us middle class citizens an opportunity to make a little
money. The job, unfortunately, was construction work. I was in the process of building a new

Hariri 2

home for a wealthy landowner, along with other middle class men. No matter how late we were
working, how brutal the climate had gotten, or how physically horrible we had felt, the
landowner gave us no mercy. There was a job and it must be done. The consequences were either
a cut in our already small pay, or a cut from the job altogether (Crook 19-22). However, working
at Ford, I would have a decent wage and better working conditions. Being inside a factory
working with machinery is much more comforting than construction work in the middle of the
harsh winter. The company ran under rules and regulations (Ford Manual). There was no
injustices the way Germany had portrayed. Although I was a little doubtful about migrating to a
country halfway across the world, Grisella was much more hopeful.
In the States, you can establish yourself, be a part of something, feel important to
someone, and make a difference! You can accomplish things that you couldnt dream of
accomplishing here in Germany. Deidrick, its time we say goodbye to our life here...
The decision was a tough one to make, but I decided to take a risk and move my family
out to Detroit, hoping to make a better life for my family and me, as my wife was dreaming of.
Although I was a skilled smith and construction worker, the job at Ford was my only
available option at that moment (Joos, Southern German Village). My family and I moved out
to Highland Park in the Metro Detroit area, which was conveniently a short walking distance to
the plant. I chose the Highland Park plant to work at, as it was the largest of the Ford Company
(Wilson and McKinlay). I began work immediately and for once, I enjoyed my job. I wasnt
doing anything absurd, or a task that could affect my health negatively. This was a definite
upgrade from my work in Germany.

Hariri 3

After working there for so long, I realized something. The process for making one Model
T was making production very inefficient (Wilson and McKinlay). I thought of an idea to fix this
issue and proposed it to my employer, Henry Ford. He loved the idea and insisted on having the
plant abide by it. This idea was the assembly line (Wilson and McKinlay). It is a more efficient
way to produce cars and after trying it out, the production of the cars greatly decreased in time
from 12.5 hours to 1.5 hours (Ford Corporate). With this new process in action, our plant was
able to increase production of cars causing Henry Ford to increase our wages and decrease our
shifts by an hour (Ford Corporate). In addition, the cost of the Model T decreased to an
affordable price (Ford Corporate). The news brought happiness to my coworkers and I, as we
were now able to purchase an automobile.
As I looked back at my life back in Germany, where I was barely making money working
in brutal conditions, really made me wonder why I have not considered moving to the United
States earlier. I was much happier here, my wife and the children were much happier here, and
everything was just so different in an exciting way. My part in the Ford Motor Company played
out into the big picture of assembling cars (German and Irish Immigration). I was finally a part
of something, something big, and something that the people wanted and needed. I was making an
important contribution to the company, as well as the city.
As I was beginning to feel comfortable in my work position, the office staff of the
company asked to speak to me privately. My first thought was that I was going to get laid off.
What other possible reason would they have to call me in privately? Every little possible mistake
I made rushed into my head as I walked into the office. When I sat down, I did not feel tension.
The room and staff gave off more of a friendly vibe, one that was pleasant. My thoughts were

Hariri 4

everywhere. I was about to get fired and these people are happy? Maybe it was because I was
one less employee to pay? Finally one the men spoke,
Deidrick, you have been a wonderful asset to our company. Weve been watching you
over the past few weeks and noticed your hard work and passion. Something most of the other
employees are lacking.
Thank you sir, I replied. That means so much to me. I love my position here, and I
could not have asked for a better company to be working for.
The man chuckled a little and responded Well Deidrick youre going to grow love for a
new position. We just bought out the Lincoln Motor Company, and we want you to be head of
that division. (Ford Buys Lincoln).
My eyes were filled with shock. I could not believe the opportunity I was being offered.
From all the employees at Ford, I was chosen to run the Lincoln Division. An underpaid
construction worker all the way from Germany is now being promoted to run an automotive
division of a very successful automobile company. Who wouldve imagined that? Not only does
this mean a higher position for me in the industry, but in addition, a higher wage. The board of
the company then went on to telling me why I stood out as a better candidate for this position
than the other employees.
Not only do we see your passion and dedication when working, but you have
contributed to this plant this company in such a beneficial manner. Your idea of the assembly
line has been the greatest discovery and attribute our company has faced.
Still trying to grasp on to this amazing opportunity, I told the board I I dont even know what
to say. I am extremely honored to be presented with this offer

Hariri 5

Do not thank us Deidrick. We want to thank you. Production has never been this
efficient until you came along. You changed the function of this company, and now we, the
company want to thank you.
The amount of excitement and shock in me was beyond normal. Words could not begin to
describe how I felt during that moment. However, because I was going to be head of an
American motor company, the board asked if I would be willing to change my name to a more
Americanized one. With the effects from the World War making their mark on the United States,
a German name as head of an American company was a risky one (German Immigrants). This
was a position I would have been insane to decline. The rest of my life lies here in America, and
I did not see the need to keep my German name. I was no longer a German, but, a proud
American and it was time I embraced it (German Immigrants). I went home immediately to tell
my family the great news. Grisella jumped up with excitement, even after I broke the news about
my name. She was willing to do the same.
There no longer existed a Mr. and Mrs. Deidrick and Grisella Meller from Berlin,
Germany. We were now Mr. and Mrs. David and Grace Miller from Highland Park, Michigan
(German Immigrants). I no longer spoke the German language, had a German identity, or lived
the German lifestyle. I am now an American, speaking English and living the way the Americans
do (German Immigrants). I have officially left my German roots behind, letting go of that part
of my life. My wife was right about migrating to the United States. I was given the opportunity
to become a part of something here. The automotive industry was just beginning to boom, and I
was a part of that process (German Immigrants). It felt good to have contributed to a company
actually, an industry. I made a difference that has changed the ways of the automotive industry.
I was now proudly named David Miller, Head of the Lincoln Motor Company Division of Ford,

Hariri 6

and I couldnt have imagined anything greater in my life. I changed an industrial part of the
nation, and, in return, the nation changed a part of me.

Hariri 7

Works Cited
"Black, White & Beyond: Multiculturalism in Greater Akron, An Interactive History." German
and Irish Immigration in the Antebellum Period. 2008. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
Crook, James W. "Predecessors of Hermann, 1776-1853." German Wage Theories; a History of
Their Development,. Vol. 9. New York: Columbia U, 1898. 15-22. Print.
"Ford Buys Lincoln." History.com. A E Networks, 2009. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
"Ford Motor Company Timeline." Ford Corporate. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
"German Immigrants." Immigration to the United States. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
Helpful Hints and Advice to Employes to Help Them Grasp the Opportunities Which Are
Presented to Them by the Ford Profit-sharing Plan. Detroit: Ford Motor, 1915. Print.
"How Did the Depression Affect German People?" - The Holocaust Explained Website. London
Jewish Cultural Centre, 2011. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.
Joos, Dieter. "A Brief Description of a Typical Southern German Village in the Past Centuries."
German Village. 1 Aug. 1999. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.
"The Germans in America." Chronology: (European Reading Room, Library of Congress). 23
Apr. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
Wilson, James M., and Alan Mckinlay. "Rethinking the Assembly Line: Organisation,
Performance and Productivity in Ford Motor Company, C. 190827." Business History
52.5 (2010): 760-78. Print.