As the argument for guest worker program heat rises in response to the proposal by the President George W. Bush, the documentary, “Harvest of Loneliness,” shows the misery of a guest worker program from 1942 to 1964, known as the Bracero Program. The documentary depicts how regarding Mexican workers as cheap labor caused the tragedy.
First, the film elaborates on how the push and pull factors worked for the Bracero Program. Since people were very poor and struggled to live in Mexico, they went to the United States in the hope of earning a lot of money to support their family and eventually having their land. On the other hand in the United States, since a lot of young men went to the World War II, growers needed the labor force for their farm. As the result, many young …show more content…
However, the fate of people who participated in the program and their families was catastrophic. The film explains the severe treatment Braceros got and the sadness of the families who are left behind through interviews to former Braceros and their families. The Braceros got starved while waiting for the permission to work in the U.S. and treated with no respect during the procedures of the entrance. On the other hand, wives of Braceros left behind had to raise their children without the help from their husbands and also suffered the loneliness. Then the film focuses on the inhumane working conditions of Braceros. They had to work 12 hours a day without any rest nor water, and also had to live in the barrack made of aluminum, which reaches 120 degrees during the summer. Naturally, a lot
First, the film elaborates on how the push and pull factors worked for the Bracero Program. Since people were very poor and struggled to live in Mexico, they went to the United States in the hope of earning a lot of money to support their family and eventually having their land. On the other hand in the United States, since a lot of young men went to the World War II, growers needed the labor force for their farm. As the result, many young …show more content…
However, the fate of people who participated in the program and their families was catastrophic. The film explains the severe treatment Braceros got and the sadness of the families who are left behind through interviews to former Braceros and their families. The Braceros got starved while waiting for the permission to work in the U.S. and treated with no respect during the procedures of the entrance. On the other hand, wives of Braceros left behind had to raise their children without the help from their husbands and also suffered the loneliness. Then the film focuses on the inhumane working conditions of Braceros. They had to work 12 hours a day without any rest nor water, and also had to live in the barrack made of aluminum, which reaches 120 degrees during the summer. Naturally, a lot