Luis Flores Romero was just eight years old when he embarked on a journey that would change his life for the better. He was born in Mexico with his family. His family consisted of his sister who had dark hair and was tan, as well as the father who had a mustache no one would question and the mother who looked like the daughter. When Luis’s family decided to go on this journey the emotions of the father and mother became weary, due to the fact that the town where they had lived all their life would soon be gone as well as other family and friends who would be remembered. But they knew it was worth it because they heard of a better life so they continued. However, the hardest part of this journey is not the travel nor the adjustment to a whole
Enrique’s journey from Honduras to the U.S. unveils the innate loyalty of a loving child to their mother and presents the dangers that a migrant faces on the road with consistent angst; nevertheless, it supports the idea that compassion shown by some strangers can boost the retreating confidence within a person. In Sonia Nazario’s “Enrique’s Journey,” he seeks the beacon of light that all migrants hope to encounter; “El Norte.” Like many children before him, it is the answer to the problems of a hard life. While being hunted down “like animals” leading to “seven futile attempts,” he is
Luis was growing up into the life of gang banging, gaining a reputation in San Gabriel by being scouted into bigger gangs in the area. Increasing his involvement in the gang by stealing form stores, to eventually being part of premeditated arson and murders. Luis was well on his way to a life in prison or worse, death. By growing up during a time of racial discrimination, options were limited to becoming a factory worker or gangster. Luis met
crime. On January 9, 2014 a homicide investigation started when a body was discovered and an area off of road 1210 in Park County, Wyo. But this was not just a regular homicide. This homicide was different that any homicide that any of the law enforcement have ever dealt with in Park County Wyoming. (Cody/Powell)
I was able to compare my own experience of moving from Guatemala to his journey towards the United States. The reason I mention health disparities is because it greatly impacted our lives. For example, I lived with a supportive family, inside of a safe neighborhood, and given an opportunity of excellent education. Luis, on the other hand, was involved in a gang affiliated family, an unsafe neighborhood, and given low quality education. The opportunities I was given was the chance of getting a free degree from a college in Roswell, I was taught good morals such as independance and determination, a full time job with benefits, and although it’s indirect, the health disparities I was involved in is what helped me to achieve these opportunities to a positive future. The same applies to Luis, but he managed to overcome the obstacles that came with the terrible environment he was involved in and managed to become a good example for not just his family, but others who read this story who may be influenced. Perhaps one day I could write a story of my own about my experiences in order to reach out to my generation, just as Luis
Each year, thousands of Central American immigrants embark on a dangerous journey from Mexico to the United States. Many of these migrants include young children searching for their mothers who abandoned them. In Enrique’s Journey, former Los Angeles Times reporter, Sonia Nazario, recounts the compelling story of Enrique, a young Honduran boy desperate to reunite with his mother. Thanks to her thorough reporting, Nazario gives readers a vivid and detailed account of the hardships faced by these migrant children.
One’s commitment of immigrating to a new country for a better life indicates that oneself is ready to risk the life given to them by facing many hardships along the way. In the novel Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario, Enrique does exactly that, risking his own life at the age of seventeen in order to reunite with his mother who left him when he was five in order to obtain a better job in the US and give Enrique and his older sister everything she thought they deserved. Nazario utilizes an emotional appeal and metaphors to inform readers of the arduous situations migrants experience on their long and tiring journey in search of a family member and a better future.
Alejandrez begins his essay with a story from his childhood. He sets up the story by giving it a time and place he is the son of a migrant worker born in a cotton field in Merigold, Mississippi. He then describes his difficult childhood using vivid language, as the son of a migrant worker he had to move many times a year and assimilate into many different schools. His family had to make ends meet with the little money they had so most of the time that meant having no shoes or one pair of pants. The social climate was also very tense, he describes it as “ I always remembered my experience in Texas, where
“Negocios”, a story from Junot Díaz’s drown, provides an indepth look into the life of an immigrant from the Dominican Republic trying to make a life for him and his family in the United States. Ramon is constantly faced with difficult challenges but he shows an amazing amount of determination to achieve his goal of providing his family with a better life.
First of all, the setting of this novel contributes to the Rivera family’s overall perception of what it means to be an American. To start this off, the author chooses a small American city where groups of Latino immigrants with their own language and traditions, lived together in the same apartment building. All these immigrants experienced similar problems since they moved from their countries. For example, in the novel after every other chapter the author
Jose Vargas tells the story of his life; from coming to America, finding out that he is residing here illegally, learning how to live with that, and finally to sharing with everyone that he is an undocumented immigrant. Jose has a difficult task in front of him, though. He must win his audience over to his side so that he can further his agenda of developing an easier path for undocumented immigrants to receive citizenship. There are many ways he could go about this, trying to skirt the topic of his illegal activities, but Jose is an intelligent man and knows how to influence his audience. He uses the story of his life to connect with others, and in connecting with them wins them over, even if only indeterminably so. In My Life as an
Julio Hernandez was born July 22nd, 1987 in Celaya, Guamajuato Mexico. He was raised by his married biological parents, Alfonso Hernandez and Francisca Ruiz. Alfonso spent his days working as a landscaper and Francisca maintained the household. The couple is still working in the same occupations. Julio grew up as the middle of three siblings Mayra and Alfonso Jr. He describes a trusting and collaborative relationship with his father. On weekends he would join his father at work so that he would be more relaxed and have more time and energy to be with the family. Francisca was described as the usual mother figure. A woman who was home every day and more strict, especially with things like schoolwork. Julio describes a close family that was open and communicative. A family that he trusted and had fun with that honored family, honesty, love and responsibility which he continues to hold fast today. He remembers camping, family trips, and celebrating birthdays. Growing up there was always someone to play with since his friends were also his brother’s or sister’s friends. His family moved to the United States in 2004. Julio’s parents are still married and see Julio and his family at least once a week since they live in Pasco.
Stories,” mainly because I personally live in the Los Angeles area and my parents grew up in parts of South Central and East Los Angeles as children. I found this this book would be most relatable to myself, since I am a Latina and my parents who have experiences a tremendous amount of discrimination, poverty, and violence in the past. They have over came these obstacles and were determined to provide my siblings and I with a brighter future. While researching a little more into the subject matter, I found that my initial perceptions on this book were true. Luis Rodriguez wrote this book to give his neighborhood of East Los Angeles a voice, in order to bring awareness to the unfortunate experiences that many, like my parents, have had to go through. My parents have shared many of their personal experiences while growing up in such a tough neighborhood and I was extremely interested in listening to the stories of
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
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.
A doctor who went missing 20 years ago was found living in a forest in Tuscany