Diego Mulato
A Third Identity Poverty is the driving force for some, for others—war. For many more it may be the thirst for a better life. Regardless of the reasons, the immigration of individuals from other nations into the United States is a constant topic of debate. The topic of immigration has even spilled into the political agenda, resulting in immigration reform being a must for a presidential candidate. At a more individual level, immigration has resulted in a new identity for many individuals in the United States. In the later part of the decade the majority of immigrants have been from Latin America. The influx of individuals from Latin America has created an American society that struggles to find a true identity within a heterogeneous …show more content…
For example, Ruben Navarrette of CNN explains that, “Concerned that teachers are presenting material in a biased and inflammatory manner, a posse of elected officials, education bureaucrats and school board trustees . . . are trying to shut down the district 's [Tucson] Mexican-American studies program.” Much like in Castillo’s poem, Mexican-Americans are the target of discrimination and ignorance. To deny an individual a way to explore her or his history is to rob her or him of their identity. In addition, Navarrette points out that, “Arizona, the problem child of the Southwest, has it backward again. In recent years, state officials have made it awfully clear where they believe Latinos belong in the social pecking order.” Individuals of Mexican-American decent are being discriminated against and viewed as inferior individuals solely due to their identity. In the same manner, Castillo and her mother were treated in her …show more content…
Also, Alarcon goes as far as stating that he is a citizen of the world and knows no boundaries. Alarcon states that, “my feet / recognize / no border / no rule / no code / no lord / for this / wanderer’s / heart” (28-36). Alarcon personifies his feet by giving them human characteristics; therefore, allowing his feet to decide that they recognize no borders. Likewise, the group Calle 13 use feet to symbolize the crossing of borders: “Hoy me voy pal’ norte sin pasaporte, / sin transporte / a pie, con las patas.” Feet are used by both artists to symbolize the mode of transportation most commonly used to the border into the United States—feet. It comes as no surprise that both artists explore immigration due to their immigrant
A Third Identity Poverty is the driving force for some, for others—war. For many more it may be the thirst for a better life. Regardless of the reasons, the immigration of individuals from other nations into the United States is a constant topic of debate. The topic of immigration has even spilled into the political agenda, resulting in immigration reform being a must for a presidential candidate. At a more individual level, immigration has resulted in a new identity for many individuals in the United States. In the later part of the decade the majority of immigrants have been from Latin America. The influx of individuals from Latin America has created an American society that struggles to find a true identity within a heterogeneous …show more content…
For example, Ruben Navarrette of CNN explains that, “Concerned that teachers are presenting material in a biased and inflammatory manner, a posse of elected officials, education bureaucrats and school board trustees . . . are trying to shut down the district 's [Tucson] Mexican-American studies program.” Much like in Castillo’s poem, Mexican-Americans are the target of discrimination and ignorance. To deny an individual a way to explore her or his history is to rob her or him of their identity. In addition, Navarrette points out that, “Arizona, the problem child of the Southwest, has it backward again. In recent years, state officials have made it awfully clear where they believe Latinos belong in the social pecking order.” Individuals of Mexican-American decent are being discriminated against and viewed as inferior individuals solely due to their identity. In the same manner, Castillo and her mother were treated in her …show more content…
Also, Alarcon goes as far as stating that he is a citizen of the world and knows no boundaries. Alarcon states that, “my feet / recognize / no border / no rule / no code / no lord / for this / wanderer’s / heart” (28-36). Alarcon personifies his feet by giving them human characteristics; therefore, allowing his feet to decide that they recognize no borders. Likewise, the group Calle 13 use feet to symbolize the crossing of borders: “Hoy me voy pal’ norte sin pasaporte, / sin transporte / a pie, con las patas.” Feet are used by both artists to symbolize the mode of transportation most commonly used to the border into the United States—feet. It comes as no surprise that both artists explore immigration due to their immigrant