Intercultural Literature C Valverde Sonia Nazario Inspiration for

Intercultural Literature C. Valverde

Sonia Nazario Inspiration for the article Dangers of research Preparation Enrique is the representative of the children whose story she desires to tell.

Literary Accomplishments - Originally was a social journalism piece. - Pulitzer Prize winning articles in the LA Times. - Book: Non-fiction, journalistic account of the boy's journey. - National best-seller, 8 languages. - "This is a twenty-first-century Odyssey. Nazario’s powerful writing illuminates one of the darkest stories in our country. This is outstanding journalism. If you are going to read only one non-fiction book this year, it has to be this one, because you know these young heroes. They live next door. . " — Isabel Allende

Nazario Visits CCHS in 2010 She was proud to know that students were the driving force behind the purchasing of the books and her invitation to speak. The students presented her with flowers and a CCHS t-shirt.

Plot Enrique decides he will go to America to find his mother. With only her phone number on a piece of paper, Enrique sets out on the perilous journey at age 16. His journey means hopping trains to get through Mexico to the United States border. Seven times he fails; each time, though, he learns ways to make it further on the next trip. After terrible hardships—attacks by gang members, near misses on the train, extreme hunger and thirst— Enrique searches for his mother, only to find that his future is very different than what he expected.

Characters Enrique Lourdes Belky El Tirindaro Diana Olga Sanchez Martinez

Enrique’s Journey https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=5 xm 551 f. H 3 kk

Crossing Mexico's Other Border https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Gz. EUHF 1 KPY 8

What the data shows. . .

Stats: Cited Studies in E. J. Since 2000, 1 million new immigrants legally – annually (estimated) 700, 000 enter illegally 85% of all immigrant children were separated form their parents at some point (Harvard). 82% of all live-in nannies, and 1 in 4 house cleaners, are mothers with children still in another country (USC). 48, 000 children enter the US annually without their parents.

Of the 48, 000 children, 75% of them are looking for their mothers. Most of these children have been beaten, robbed, or raped, usually several times (U of Houston) Pew Hispanic Center estimates that in 2012 there were over 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States

Legal vs. Illegal Immigration From Latin America: To reside in the US legally, you must receive permission by applying for a visa. When you apply, you are placed in two categories: family or work experience. Family tends to be a faster process; work experience depends on economy needs. You must wait until admitted (may take years; may never be approved) Many see no other choice but to enter illegally.

Research One of the goals of any type of research is to deepen an understanding of the issue. How is Nazario’s method of research appropriate for the story she wanted to tell?

Social Journalism A media model consisting of a hybrid of professional journalism, contributor and reader content. It is similar to open publishing platforms, like Twitter and Word. Press. com, except that some or most content is also created and/or screened by professional journalists. CUNY Graduate School of Journalism https: //youtu. be/z. Ze. SBFKXBQA

The Push & Pull Factors What does the United States offer Latin American immigrants that they cannot get in their own countries? Contrast the images of the United States that Lourdes and Enrique see on television versus what each finds in the United States.

A Visual Journey Don Bartletti – Pulitzer prize winning photographer. Awarded in 2003 for these photographs…

Differences Among Latinos Consider the relationship between Mexicans and Central Americans. Why do Mexicans feel superior to their southern neighbors? How does this context change among Mexicans and Central Americans for those in the United States?

Family Values Consider the value of family in the Latino culture. Why are mothers more revered than fathers? What is the role of grandmothers? Compare and contrast Enrique and Belky’s lives after their mother leaves. What negative habits does Enrique develop in his mother’s absence? How is his father partly responsible?

A Mother’s Love? Describe the guilt that Lourdes feels when she leaves her children. Why does she kiss Belky good-bye, but find it too hard to face Enrique? How does she attempt to rectify her guilt when she gets to the states? Do you agree with Lourdes’ decision?

The food throwers' reasons: "If I have one tortilla, I give half away, " from Maria Luisa Mora Martin, more than 100 years old, in Cuichapa, Veracruz. "I don't like to feel that I have eaten and they haven't, " from bread maker Mariano Cortes, 43, in Encinar, Veracruz. "When you see these people, it moves you. It moves you. Can you imagine how far they've come? " from retired seamstress Angela Andrade Cruz, 71, of Encinar. "God says when I saw you naked, I clothed you. When I saw you hungry, I gave you food. That is what God teaches, " from Angela Andrade Cruz. "It feels good to give something that they need so badly, " from knickknack seller Jesus Gonzalez Roman, in Encinar. "I figure when I die, I can't take anything with me. So why not give? " from Esperanza Roman Gonzalez, 78, in Encinar.

Immigration: The BIG Debate

Immigration Debate Proponents of immigration reform argue that high levels of immigration to the US have harmful consequences for both the US economy and society, reducing US labor wages, burdening government programs and US infrastructure, and creating insular communities that fail to integrate into American society and culture. To the contrary, immigration advocates contend that the American economy and society derives a net benefit from immigration, with foreign-born (often illegal) workers willing to take jobs at low-wages at a time when the supply of low-skilled American workers is on the decline.

Immigration Waves to the US 2015

US Immigrant Population

Who are the estimated 10 -11 million undocumented immigrants in the US?

Illegal Immigration

Who are the undocumented?

Which state has the most unauthorized immigrants?

Unauthorized Immigrants Within the Labor Force

Unauthorized immigration levels are dropping

Dispelling the Myths

Do unauthorized immigrants perpetrate more crime in the US?

Do unauthorized immigrants affect our economy negatively? 2015 Federal Reserve System Community Development Research Conference

Do unauthorized immigrants pay taxes? • Immigrants who are undocumented pay taxes every time they buy taxable goods such as gas, clothes or new appliances. • A 2017 report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy highlights that undocumented immigrants pay an estimated $11. 74 billion in state and local taxes a year. • U. S. Social Security Administration estimated that in 2010 undocumented immigrants—and their employers—paid $13 billion in payroll taxes alone for benefits they will never get. • They can receive schooling and emergency medical care but not welfare or food stamps.

Do unauthorized immigrants take jobs away from legal residents and citizens?

Will a wall along the border with Mexico stop undocumented immigrants from coming to the United States? • The majority of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are from Mexico, but their estimated number— 5. 8 million in 2014—has declined by approximately 500, 000 people since 2009. • Mexican immigrants were living in the United States without authorization dropped from 6. 9 million in 2007 to 5. 8 million in 2014. • The number of immigrants from nations other than Mexico who are living in the United States without authorization grew to an estimated 5. 3 million in 2014. • Populations of immigrants who are undocumented increased from Asia, Central America and sub-Saharan Africa. Will a wall along the border with Mexico “stop” undocumented immigrants from coming to the United States?

The Varying Attitudes About Immigration

Immigration: Political vs. Moral Great sympathy for the plight of immigrants. Culture of nativism Failed government measures Individual states taking action Individual cities counteracting: “sanctuary cities” Do we have a moral obligation to immigrants? What should our attitude be toward undocumented? The debate continues.

Who are the dreamers?

Dream Act?

English

Irony? Federal govt. restricts unauthorized immigrants from entering the US, but once here, cities have declared themselves “Sanctuary Cities. ” State and municipal police refrain from enforcing immigration laws (trend is changing). Federal govt. restricts the presence of unauthorized immigrants, but some states offer them drivers licenses. But here’s the greatest irony…

US-Mex Border: 1, 933 Miles

580 miles of fence

Difficult to patrol. . . many still find passage

Why do they keep coming?

Fact: US Diversity Today The number of foreign-born residents of the United States (37 million) is at its highest level in US history and constitutes a proportion of the US population (12. 4%) not seen since the early 20 th century. - US Census Bureau, 2010

More interesting stats. . .

A political debate? Or a. . .

Humanitarian Crisis?

The Poverty of Mexico World Bank study in 2000 found. . . 42. 5% of Mexico’s 100 million people live on $2 or less a day. In rural areas 30% of children 5 and younger eat so little that their growth is stunted.

Reaching out. . .

Why do people help?

Olga Sanchez Martinez – Tapachula, MX

Padre Leo – Nuevo Laredo

Food for thought. . . What reforms do you agree or disagree with? How are you affected by legal and illegal immigration? How does immigration affect the American social landscape? Its culture? Do you believe reform is possible? Are you willing to compromise some of your principles in order to achieve reform?

END

Chapter 1 Lourdes crossing Jobs: packing, pizzeria, fichera, office cleaner, house keeper. Enrique rebels – poverty, loss, despair Addiction Steals from aunt, kicked out March 2, 2000: leaves to the US with $57 and a phone number.

Chapter 2: The Journey Through Mexico. . . 7 failed attempts: “el bus de lagrimas” Perseverance Corruption Dangers Violence

Chapter 3 “la Bestia” “la guerra sin nombre” “el gusano de hierro” or “el tren peregrino” La Arocera – gangs, agents, brutality “madrinas” “madrizas” Dangers of train hopping Olga Sanchez Martinez

Chapter 4 * Gifts and faith * Small bundles (p. 102 -106) * Generosity of the poor; irony? * Why juxtapose such brutality with generosity? Duality of human nature? * Enrique arrives at Nuevo Laredo after 47 days.

Chapter 5 * Nuevo Laredo (borders Laredo, TX) * Refuge Camps, Churches * Dangers of crossing (water, by foot, car) * Dangers of smugglers

Chapter 6 * Enrique crosses * Smuggling networks * Treachery & dishonesty * Reunites with Lourdes * Problems soon arise * Enrique discovers Maria Isabel is pregnant

Chapter 7 * Enrique finally confronts Lourdes about leaving * Life is difficult for Enrique - works low-wage jobs, squanders money, sends some to Maria Isabel * Jasmin is born * Life is difficult for Maria Isabel and Jasmin * Maria Isabel leaves for the US leaving Jasmin behind

Themes Determination Family Poverty Corruption Violence Immigration Empathy/Compassion Push & Pull Factors of Immigration What is this book ultimately about?

Afterword