Arturo

Gregory Nava’s 1983 film, El Norte, is by far one of the most honest and eye opening depictions of the experience many undocumented immigrants and refugees have when trying to come to the United States. By challenging the ethnocentric tendencies of the North American film industry and the general negative stereotypes of Latinos in film, Nava is one of the first writers/directors to break away from the typical representations of Latinos and give such true representation and discussion of many issues surrounding Latinos, immigration, and American society and values. The film focuses on two young Mayan brother and sister, Enrique and Rosa, from their flight from their village in rural Guatemala to their life of hardship and isolation in Los Angeles,

Throughout majority of the movie you think the guy is doing everything wrong. You start to question his parenting skills when you see that their apartment is filled with toys, and that he doesn’t send her to school but instead go to Disneyland. Then, the twist comes and you realize that you've been seeing things all wrong. He just wants his daughter to have the best life and spent the most possible time with her, because he found out that her daughter is going to die. Despite the movie being in mostly Spanish, the message translated through this film will tug at your heartstrings. From the beginning to the end there is combinations of laughs and emotions that through one way or another anyone can relate. It talks about the challenges and sacrifices parents have to face for their children. It also shows, that parents go out of their way and will risk many things to protect their children from getting hurt, even from their own families. Also, how important it is to spend family and quality time with their children because, we are not guaranteed how much time we will have with

It shows the community does not really welcome immigrants. Also it is very difficult to adopt life in new place, for example washing machine is so complicated for Rosa so she washes all the clothes by hand and lays them on the grass in the garden. Rosa and Enrique attend language school to improve their English. Movie emphasizes the power of the language again and also shows learning English helps their life to get better. Nacha helps Rosa to change her appearance with more fashionable clothing Nacha said “have you ever heard Sears” and tokes her for shopping. When Enrique sees her with new clothing and makeup, he says “What is this? You look like a clown! “. Scene shows Enrique’s attachment to their culture also they try hard to integrate. Enrique gets an offer for a better pay job with the chance to become legal resident but he refuses to leave his sister. The house they are staying is a mess when they come but after a while they clean and organize it and one scene Enrique told his sister that “In this country you work hard you can get somewhere” they are proud to earn better life standards. Then suddenly everything changes, Rosa gets sick, immigration was looking for Enrique. Enrique gets promoted at the restaurant and jealous coworker is upset about it and calls immigration police. At the end Rosa dies in the hospital room. The conversation between Rosa and Enrique is heartbreaking. Rosa said “they told us we make lots of money but

The novel shows equality and gives the reader information on hardships experienced by Latinos without a show of feelings or complaint. When reading the novel, I found it interesting to read that Puerto Ricans are exiled and I found it

Lawrence Hill’s novel, The Illegal, is a classic tale of struggle in the lives of immigrants that illegally enter countries. The illegal takes to ground when a young aspiring athlete, Keita, who is affected by the instability in his country. Zantoroland, Keita’s country, is home to rife political conflict. Hence, his family known to be Faloo, become victims of this instability. Keita’s father, Yoyo, is a journalist that uncovers high ranking government officials and so when a coup d’état happens, it puts a target on his family’s head including Keita. Keita needs to leave the country or there is the possibility of being killed by these new government “officials”. His talent regarding athletics is his only way out of the country. Keita’s journey

In the novel, we read through Richard Blanco’s childhood in Miami. Growing up in a family of Cubans is a challenge. Through his stories, he searches for identity and belonging. Blanco shares experiences, in which he finds a sense of self. He discusses the importance of being who you are no matter what. Through knowledge and experience, Richard Blanco and I have experienced “Coming of Age”. When you are in the process of this transition, you may go through some conflicts or struggles. These conflicts will most probably teach you life lessons. You will gain wisdom throughout these years, which will make you more mature.

This separation from his family caused a longing in his life. But this longing was superseded by what he suspected his teachers could give him. Rodriguez develops a double personality of sorts. The person he is at home, the polite child who lovingly does what his parents ask of him. And then the academic persona he

At the age of five she abandon him and his sister in search of the American Dream. Enrique begins his voyage young, motivated and optimistic, when in reality travelling to America was more dangerous than he had ever anticipated. With several failed attempts, finding his mother became a nearly impossible challenge he was ready to accept. With many setbacks like drugs, love, violence, and uncertainty, his travels prolonged. Finally, in the end Enrique and his family made it to America; however their dream turned into a harsh

The whole movie deals with emotions and how they grow up in that environment and that reflects in next generation’s life. Their perceptions are a lot different from my culture. One thing that I felt from this movie is whatever you see from parents or elder siblings, most of the time you will follow that way and it’s also happen in my culture also. Twenty years ago at about the same time that "Cisco" and "Stingray" Santiago became leaders of the notorious Assassination gang and Luis also became a gang leader. That movie is also a great example of emotional intelligence. This movie is kind of empathetic.

This book helped me to see one of the underlying reason why immigrants would at all cost come to the U.S. in order to pursue a better life, whether it’s for themselves or for their families. For example, in the beginning of the story, we were told that all the Rivera family wanted was “the simplest things: to eat good food, to sleep at night , to smile, to laugh, to be well” (3). By moving to the U.S., the Riveras believe their daughter would have a promising future under special education program offered in the states. The example of Arturo truly depicted one’s desire to pursue a better future for their young one, he left his successful construction business in Mexico and became a mushroom picker, all for his daughter’s betterment of education (25). From his example, we truly see only a loving parent would made these sacrifices in order to immigrate to the U.S., bringin back the theme of American Dream once again.

Jose understands at a young age that in order to escape the indentured life of working in a sugar cane plantation like his ancestors before him, he must do something different. In the classroom, Jose is a very bright student as seen through his peers and especially his professor who eventually helped Jose get into a prestigious school because of his academic excellence. He assures his grandmother who is his sole provider and family that one day she’ll no longer have to work tirelessly in the sugar cane plantation. Jose dreams of taking work in a more profitable and higher field then the plantation his community is chained to all being done by attaining

After watching this movie I have a deeper understanding of what immigrants who travel to the United States experience. I was angered by the mistreatment of women and the immigrants through out the movie. The two young women in the movie were nearly raped by the Gang Leader.

The film depicts the life of Piri ounce again from his home life, to the gang activities he got involved in, to every other violent act that finally led him to his six year sentence in jail. I also realized the great influence that Piri had in the community, being the first Puerto Rican writer to receive recognition in the United States. All of Piris careers had to do with the purpose of inspiring the youth. When he became an educator he taught writing in order to encourage creativity not only for himself but also r for the community to express

The whole point of the film is that the illegal immigrants perform jobs that Americans are not willing to do and immigrants are treated as aliens not what they really are human being.

Although this film is disadvantaging to many people, it is also very beneficial. I think people that come from the lower class or an abusive household can really benefit from this film. The main point of this film is to show people that you can achieve anything you want to do no matter what background you come from, and although it might be hard because of economical/ personal issues you are not less of a person than anyone and you can still be successful. I love the idea of success because it doesn’t really have a set definition. You don’t necessarily need money to be/feel successful. You can work at Subway and still be successful while a twelve time Oscar winning actor can be successful. You sort of carve out your own success and make your own definition for it. This movie will also teach people that they are not on their own. Although you might think nobody is there for you, when you enter a room you don’t know what everyone is thinking or how everyone feels; you might now even know everyone. It is kind of like when you’re putting together a puzzle, you put certain pieces together and you get closer to finishing and you just need to keep trying to solve the puzzle because if you give up you just wasted your money on a puzzle