Blog #3 -- The Land Of Opportunities
The cultural artifact that has personally impacted me would be the border that divides the United States and Mexico. My mother risked her life crossing the border illegally while being pregnant at age fifteen in order for me to have a better future. But to that, she knew she would never see her parents again. My parents started from nothing, my father working two full-time jobs just so I can have food and a place to live while my mother was struggling to raise a baby without any help from her family knowing that they were all in Mexico. All this just in order to seek and gain the American dream. It really hurts me to find my mother crying whenever she hears that my grandmother is getting sick. She sometimes wishes she can get on a plane and fly back just to take care of her. My father just misses his hometown and hopes to one day reconnect with his childhood friends. I actually had a chance to go visit where my both parents grew up. My father grew up in Puebla, Mexico and I truly liked how they were always partying almost every weekend and how amazing the food was. My mother is from Guerrero, Mexico. She mainly comes from a small village that is still to this day needs a lot of help to build a road since there isn’t one yet. I fell in love with my grandparents from my mother’s side. They were so loving and caring. I got emotional because I realized that I wish we would be able to share this love all together including my parents. We can’t have Thanksgiving or Christmas together knowing that a border is dividing us apart. If it wasn't for technology, my parents wouldn’t have a great memory of what my grandparents actually look like. It just saddens me knowing that we can’t all be together while every other family in America can. It took me seventeen years to meet my grandparents for the first time, I would just hear stories about them. Overall, what I can give to pay back to my parents and grandparents is continuing with my education. I know that by living here in the United States, I have a better chance of seeking better job opportunities than over in Mexico. I am doing this for my amazing family who risked it all just so I can have a better future.
Hey Joselin, your cultural artifact is a really good representation of what is going on right now. So many people from Central America are trying to come to the U.S in search of better opportunities. Me coming from a family of Mexican background I know the struggle of what your parents went through. I was born and raised 5 minutes away from the border that divides the U.S. and Mexico. I know how hard it is for people in Mexico to find jobs. Every time I cross the border, it saddens me to see all those people living in the streets. Sometimes including young little kids selling gum and asking for some money. Sometimes I wish there was no border so that many families would get the chance to see their loved ones. I know so many people who haven't seen their loved ones ever since they came over to the United States.
ReplyDeleteHello Joselin, I first would like to say that I admire you and your family's strength in such a difficult situation. I cannot even imagine the pain and struggles of not being able to see the rest of your family on a daily basis even more on the holidays and the idea of seeing my mother crying because she can't see my grandmother would tear me apart. With all the commotion taking place at the border it is appalling to even think that there are so many people okay with watching families being divided. There is no lie that I live a blessed and privilege life with my family being right down the street, but also recognizing that there are people who only see their family from the other side of a gate or fence sometimes not knowing what will happen to them. Depending on your situation living in the U.S. could be either a blessing or a curse and makes you question the sacrifices made. Great topic and post! Wishing you nothing but success and support!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your cultural artifact because my mother also crossed the border illegally for the opportunity at a better life for her future family. I am also separated from most of my family by the border but luckily my mother and I can still visit family every once in awhile. Since tickets cost a lot and my mother is constantly working we are unable to go often or for very long periods of time. As a child my grandmother passed away so I was never able to make a connection with her. Even though I still have other family I can talk to and develop relationships with over technology it is not the same as being around them. As I am older I now see the daily struggle my mother goes through to make sure my family is okay and do my best by obtaining an education through a career where I know I can help support her and the rest of my family as well. That is why I am so focused on my education and hope I still have a chance to help everyone out before it is too late.
ReplyDeleteHi Joselin, thank you for sharing! My parents also struggle to see their loved ones back home. My mom has not seen my grandma or grandpa in 20 years, and as you mentioned every time they get sick or hurt she goes through a hard time because she is not able to be with them. Technology has definitely helped them communicate and stay in touch for all those years by sending pictures and face timing. It is very heartbreaking how much they had to give up and continue to give just in hopes of a better future. I believe that is why most of us who are going through the same situation as you value education and every opportunity that is given to us because we do not want to disappoint our parents and it serves as a way to help them in the future.
ReplyDeleteHi Joselin,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog. I could definitely relate to your experience with being separated from family. I liked how you discussed this really relevant topic and how you used personal experiences. I think having family around for support can really impact an individual drastically but i think you have a positive attitude about how to overcome this adversity. It's great that you want to do better for yourself and your family. It's sad to realize how people from different countries have to sacrifice everything for an opportunity that is available here in the United States. I find it amazing how many immigrants sacrifice everything in order to provide for their families but still face discrimination and are referred to as rapists or violent without considering what the majority of immigrants have gone through to be in a new country.