The Vending Machines: A Narrative Fiction

Despite most Americans associating the word “immigrant” with Mexicans, there is a whole wide spectrum to the word “immigrant”. Not only did Mexicans and other Latino groups come to the U.S. to find jobs, but Central Americans also came to the U.S. to escape the chaos that was occurring in their home countries. The Tattooed Soldier by Hector Tobar, illustrates these aspects of power, difference and inequality by describing the story of Antonio Bernal traveling to the U.S. to escape his death by a Guatemalan death squad only to find himself in the same city as the killer of his wife and son. Throughout the novel we see how the discrimination against race, class, gender, and sexuality make it difficult for those who migrate to the U.S. in

In Pearsall, Texas, the Anglo and Mexican communities were divided to contribute to Elva’s confusion and frustrations of being alone. The immigrant society was lumped together as their own “class” of people:

Richwine compares the Hispanics with Irish, Italian, or Poles immigrants. He points out how the Hispanics are different from these other immigrant groups, by not being able to better themselves in society. He compares them by saying “people used to say the Irish or the Poles would always be poor, but look at them today! For Hispanics, we are led to believe, the same thing will happen. But that claim isn’t true.” Compared to other groups, the Hispanic immigrants do not rise out of the lower class.

The word Chicano involves more than just a cultural identification. There has been a continuity of a discussion of its origins, it meanings, its purpose and its affirmations throughout generations. Through oral history, scattered essays, Chicano studies courses and personal relationships, I have evolved my usage of the word Chicano, as many in history have. Through experience I have learned that social, geographical and economical elements have twisted and turned the meaning according to the moral judgments of the class or national origin. I will utilize my knowledge and life experience as a Chicana to the word Chicano. I did this to illustrate the assignment's topic, in that outside factors have a significant effect on the usage and

modules gives many examples how strong cultural pasts lead to identity problems in a new society. Also, the module shows us that many Mexicans were not happy with the stereotype formed about their identity. In Between the Lines, we see how Mexicans in America suffer through harsh discrimination, while trying to stay close to their relatives and culture. The letters talk about how Whites did not have concerns with family values or cultural beliefs. Whites based many of their values off succeeding in the economy. Whites in general had no regard for Mexicans as people.

Throughout the play there are underlying theme that suggest different ideas. The themes I will discuss is how Mexican American men are portrayed in relation

The Unit explains the hardships many Mexican and Mexican Americans have carried and continue to carry till this day due to their ethnicity and roots. The inequality and struggles rooted from the invasion of Texas and the wrongful “won” over Mexican territory by the Euro-centric American who then expanded their border down south unjustly colonizing the Northwest of Mexico. Along with land many Mexicans who resided in this land were now living in among a strange new government and environment that was once their land. This began the expectation of having Mexican-Americans being able to assimilate into the Euro-Centric culture. These assimilations they were presume to make caused for many to lose touch of their own culture. Mexican-Americans continued to be oppressed even when serving their own country. Many young Mexican-Americans turned to joining the military due to financial hardships, like many due this day. Although these young men were risking their life they were still wrongfully treated and racially discriminated while in service. Having men risking their life for a country and still be discriminated because of their ethnicity shows how progressed the hatred for Mexicans was developed. The recognition and triumph of many Mexican-American soldiers went unacknowledged due to their ethnicity. Mexican-Americans were also labeled as criminals and murders due to media and their portrayal of Mexicans. Also, the meaning of being called a “Chicano/a” is also included and

With His Pistol in His Hand by Americo Paredes is an American folk tale about taking place in 1901 along the Texas Mexico border. Paredes tells the story of Gregorio Cortez a Mexican farmer living on the south Texas Border who was made a hero by his people. The second novel is that of Chester Himes ' If He Hollers Let Him Go. Both stories deal with the issues of violence and racism, although in very different ways. Based on both works, I believe that Bob Jones’ figure leaves a more lasting and long-term consequence of racism. Chester Himes’ novel about Bob Jones has somewhat of an autobiographical touch to it. It is more persuasive in the way that, he and Bob have a lot in common. Even though Paredes’ character focuses on a real character he is made into a fictional, whereas Bob Jones may or may not be representative of some of the author 's actual experiences were, leaven the reader or audience with a longer lasting impression of the hardship during those times.

Staples begins his essay by illustrating his first “victim”, describing her as a “woman -- white, well dressed, probably in her late twenties” (Staples 1). He then continues to describe himself as a “youngish black man – a broad six feet two inches with a beard and billowing hair; both hands shoved into the pockets of a bulky military jacket“ (Staples 1). By adding contrasting vivid descriptions of himself and the “victim”, it exemplifies the differences between their physical appearances. He, as an African American male, had untamed hair wore

In their attempts to maintain an accurate depiction of the organization, the authors do not cloud details to try and uphold any political or social agenda. They show how Mexicans felt justified in their struggle and how the Texas Rangers often misrepresented their own actions. One incident revolved around Captain William Warren Sterling of Hidalgo County. In his own memoirs, he made claims that he never shot, or even pistol-whipped a man. He wrote, “Throughout my lifetime, I have held a high regard and deep esteem for Latin Americans. Some of my best friends are members of that important segment of our citizenship” (p.270). Yet, the writers published a claim that Sterling shot and killed, among others, an innocent Mexican boy accused of

During the Mexican-American War the border moved, but the people didn’t. History has shown us that no matter how thick the border might be Latino Americans have a strong connection to their culture and roots; instead of assimilating, Mexicans live between two worlds. The film, Ballad of Gregorio Cortez gave us a perspective of two cultures; “Two cultures- the Anglo and the Mexican- lived side by side in state of tension and fear” . Cortez is running for his life as he heads north, while the Anglo believe that because of his Mexican ethnicity, he would travel south to Mexico. Throughout the film there were cultural tensions and misunderstandings; language plays an important part of someone’s identity, and for many Latino Americans Spanish is their first language. The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez also shows us that language plays an important role, and can cause confusion between two different groups. For example, Anglos refer to a male

The racist connotation that Miss Jimenez associates with who she thinks would “fit in” society’s box is a definite reflection of the hardships Valdez witnessed in his community. For example, the Zoot Suit Riots that occurred in 1944 was rooted by a reaction by young Mexican-American males against a culture that did not want them to be a part of it. Stuart Cosgrove examines this issue when he states, "In the most obvious ways they had been stripped of their customs, beliefs and language.” (*Vargas 317) These youths were going through an identity crisis because they did not know which culture they could identify with. Miss Jimenez is a character that embodies that repression Valdez explains in “Los Vendidos.”

The article Mojado Like Me by Joseph Tovares is about three men who go undercover to determine the legal status of Mexican workers and whether they were being exploited. Joseph Tovares is a college educated, U.S. born Latino from San Antonio Texas that lives a good life as documentary producer. Over the years after hard work he had achieved the measure of success he longed for. As a Mexican American, life was not easy at first due to dealing with “white” teachers throughout his school years and the snide remarks of co-workers. However, after Tovares success in his career he no longer had to deal with being an outcast.

This morning I attended the Allstate vending machine site visit at the Dunwoody MARTA Station. Here are some takeaways from that meeting:

As a result of imperialism of the United States these conflicted nations of Guatemala and Central America show what happens as a result of predatory interest. The Tattooed Soldier is a great example on the effect of destructive Imperialism does to the citizens of Middle America and Southern America. The similarities are clear with real situation during that time for the Latino community with very present discrimination, pride, and sentiment when seeking refuge inside of the United States. For Antonio and all of the hardships he had faced mirrored what normal Latino people had to go through when their struggle had started from the very moment that imperialism was involved. The rise of the Cold War hysteria gave arise to many anglo-American ideas about “evil” to be warped into hatred to those with ties to communism. The consequences were the entirety of Middle America and Southern America to go through these conflict bearing all the destruction that was brought to them. It was the manipulation of people that was consistent throughout the book and real U.S. imperialism. The commonality was throughout the latino community with many having the same background of asylum or economic poverty. Facing against the odds many of these chicanos and latinos would go to the U.S. to face hardships, but survive to carry on their legacies.