El Norte

While I had little trouble with Takaki at first this piece proved to me how dry his writing can be but also about how little I know about the Chicano past. The length of this was almost to much but I made it through and learned that Mexicans saw America in much the same way other immigrants did but saw it only as, “The North” because unlike the European and Asian immigrants this was a part of their land/continent. Also that unlike the European and Asian immigrants today the Mexican population still views America like they did in the past and with the same energy as previous generations. Unlike the other ethnic groups who’s immigration rate declined after a time.

The first thing I highlighted in this response is the story of one person who got twenty-eight families to make the trip across the border. It made me wonder if things were really that bad then for Mexico and other parts of South America. Fortunately Takaki explains their reasons for leaving their beloved homeland. The famines, revolutions, and lack of jobs almost left them with no other choice considering how easy it was for them to get into the US at the time.

Another difference between the Mexican immigrants and those from other countries is the want to return home. They also had the ability to do so easier than the others however because of the systems set into place and racism from business owners the Chicano population had little chance to return home. The quote Takaki uses “I am only waiting until conditions get better, until there is absolute peace before I go back” expresses the Mexican sentiment to return home but this became another reason for them to stay. Put up with the racism in the states (specifically the Texas wife who said “God did not intend him to be; He would have made them white if he had) or go back to war and hunger. The choice was obvious but not easy.

In the end I learned a better understanding of the Latino plight and better understand my Hispanic friends. I have several who have tried to explain the situation to me, especially around when American Latino community began protests recently in America, proving that those conditions have changed little since they began.