Takaki Chapter 12

Why did everyone view America as the land of dreams? A lot of Mexicans moved north to the United States because it was so easy for them to get across the boarder. They never needed a passport just to check in with the immigration office on the American side and change into some American clothes. Mexicans continued to flock to the United States because of the violence of the Mexican Revolution and to escape the poverty and starvation that was taking over. Many Mexicans only planned to reside in the United States for a few months or at least until peace returned but those few months quickly turned to years. The development of the Mexican railroad helped encourage workers and other Mexican citizens to move to the United States. The railroads caused a massive migration to the United States. Altogether an estimated one tenth of the Mexican population moved to the United States.

Even in the early 1900’s discrimination was present. Mexicans were only able to work industrial jobs, and were also limited by the white labor unions. Mexicans worked in a variety of different areas, always earning less than they should and never experiencing room to advance.

Mexicans were forced to stay where they were because of their contracts and the debt that they were forced into. Violation of this ultimately resulted in their arrest and then jail.

Mexicans actively participated in Labor Strikes, especially during the Great Depression. They fought for higher wages and better working conditions, frequently losing.

One page 325 it has a quote from a local media reporter threatening the Mexicans who were on strike. It reminded me of a similar situation and issue that we are currently faced with right now in regards to immigration. The idea of what to do with our current illegal immigrants in the United States and how to limit and restrict the immigration of future immigrants. The Mexicans eventually settled on a compromised wage rate.

Not only were Mexicans given crummy employment opportunities they were also excluded socially from the Anglo society. While I was reading the paragraph about how Mexicans were excluded socially I was appalled when I read the following line, “I told my friend I would rather die of starvation than to humiliate myself before the Americans by eating with the Negros” (pg 327).

How can Mexicans complain about discrimination when they discriminate against others, in this case African Americans? How can people be that hypocritical? Once again it goes back to pointing fingers just because people don’t want the fingers pointed at them. It’s a broad generalization to make but I believe that everyone shows some form of discrimination towards others. It’s all about individual comfort levels and societal pressures. I also believe that people can not be expected to be treated as equals unless they treat others with the same respects they expect to receive.