Give Them The Chance…
To put it plainly, it was very difficult to find individual answers to the questions that were asked. Therefore, my answers are more-so based on my interpretations. When we try to identify the difference between first and second generation Latino immigrants, the first thing that comes to mind is the greed that the second generation has compared to the first. First generation immigrants came in order to look for a better life compared to what they had at home. The pay was more, enough to even send home. But the individuals here in the states would be struggling to get by here as they send their riches back home. They struggled so that those back home could be better off. Not to say, however, that they did not also come here to look for better opportunity through hard work. Some will succeed, some won’t. But what we see here, that is common, is the perseverance that each one of these first generation immigrants have. Now let’s talk second generation. I call them more or less greedy compared to the first generation immigrants. Why? Well they are asking for much more than what first generation immigrants were asking for. I’m not saying that fighting for equality (pay, job opportunity, citizenship, etc.) is a bad thing, I’m just saying that they are asking for a lot more than the first generation. Now, it is inevitable for the second to ask for more as they become true citizens, or even later generations become true citizens. As immigrant families become citizens of the US, more pushes for equality will happen. Now we come to this great f*ckjob of a thing called Proposition 187 that would deny undocumented immigrants access to public services(which are needed) such as health care and education. If you do not see something wrong with this, put yourself in the shoes of the immigrants that have risked their lives to get a chance at a better life here in the states. It slows the progress of immigrants, the progress that they have worked very hard to achieve. Not only do parents of immigrant families have to face struggles, but the children do as well, especially in school. “We no longer suffered the indignities of overt segregation but daily acts of covert discrimination under the guise of “helping us” was common.”(Halcon: 211) Immigrant children will encounter many problems with integration because of the problems with conforming to the norms in the United States versus home in South America. Because of the differences in norms, immigrant children will struggle even more because of the complex language barrier between them and their American counterparts.
When one puts extra effort into something, they would typically expect to see an equal reward or at least a reward of some sort. Here’s where it gets messed up. Even if an immigrant child were to put in hard work, there is a barrier of discrimination that separates these children from success. You could be an A+ student with a hard work ethic and still encounter discrimination from businesses or even other schools. And the great thing called “The American Dream.” This idea encourages people to strive for it, regardless of whether it is attainable or not. This unattainable goal discourages second generation immigrants, leading to their possible failures. “immigration is driven by the need to escape poverty and suffering, by the hope that success will make it possible to send money home, and by the often unrealistic belief that by leaving it will be possible to obtain a small piece of the American Dream that has been so creatively marketed to the rest of the world (Noguera: 266).” It is really sad to witness hard work, more or less going to waste. Remember what I said about the greed of the second generation immigrants versus the first. Yah, that greed can cause conflict. Not only are second generation immigrants greedy, but they are also called lazy by first generation. When we really look at it, more effort and work has been put into striving for the American dream by first generation.
Immigration is a hot topic in politics today, and each candidate had something to say about it. Bernie Sanders is looking to fix our immigration system in favor of immigrants. Hilary Clinton also wants to approach the issue, looking to reform and allow immigrants the opportunity to pursue full or equal citizenship. Ted Cruz focuses too much on the harm that illegal immigration brings, which really isn’t too much. Drugs will still get here illegally if immigration is stopped. Violence will still occur, but let us also remember that we have our own issues to consider, such as the countless white shooters of recent years. Donald Trump… I really do not want to talk about him, but his childish solution of building a wall using the money of Mexico is absurd. His ideas are extreme, and are not the ideals of the greater good in the United States of America. This is not the United States of Trump, but somehow people believe that it should be. Conservative versus liberal, it can cause issues for my service learning sites. With conservative candidates, many families would possibly be sent back to where they come from, which would also send some of the students away as well. With liberal, they might get a better chance to acquire the citizenship that they should deserve, especially after all of the hardships they have endured. I already put my word out in the public about how Bernie Sanders is the ideal future of the United States. He speaks for the people, he is about the people, he’s pretty awesome. Even though he is incredibly progressive, I feel as if he is the change that we need NOW.
