BY STUDENT
While readings ,” Becoming Mexican American” by George J. Sanchez , I learned about how bad the living situation was for the latinos coming to the states . In this reading it is talking about the ethnicity , culture and identity of the chicanos in Los Angeles in 1900-1945. When latinos came over to the states , they came with nothing but a goal to better themselves and a will to do anything to reach their goal. When it came to work, they worked the hardest and dangerous jobs and got aid little to none . You can only imagine the way they lived . They do not have a lot of money and have to live somewhere they can afford . In this readings it says “ poor housing options and unhealthy living conditions were as much of the mexican life in the city as more favorable conditions” ( George sanchez ) This shows that they lived in places that was unfit for living. They could get sick from the filth, mold, and rats. They lived in small housing and alot of them where over populated . However, this was the reality of it all because of how they had to live based off of their income . How do the people who work long hours and dangerous jobs get paid so little or don't get help finding a good home .
In this blogpost I argue that yes, they are immigrants but should get paid based on their work. If they are working hard long hours ,they should get paid at a higher rate for the work they give. The United States used immigrant labor to create this country to provide equal opportunities and freedom but it denies those very aspects to the minorities that help create it in the first place. How can the US allow these people to come over here with the dream to better themselves but have them working and living just as bad as they would if they stayed in their home country .
This reading has made me think. The US was willing and okay for having immigrants come over and work and stay here but didn't have a plan how to take care of them. Since they are here in the states and working they should be treated like an american that is working . There are americans who don't work that live better than the latinos who are grinding and working hard. I firmly believe that if a person is willing to get off their couch and is willing to go and work for there money, they should be able to do so and get paid accordingly.
While growing up I always heard about the American Dream. That everyone gets there chances to be something as long as they put the work . I know for sure the immigrants/ latinos heard the same story. They came over here to chase the dream of bettering themselves . I am putting a big red dot on jobs because in reality the more money you make the better house you can live in. I think that if the lations got paid better , the housing situation would be better and there wouldn't be as much of an issue with the poverty and housing problems.
You topic makes me wonder what one’s health and access was like to many of these resources they require. I know that the achieving of the American Dream is important to many, but sacrifices are they willing to endure? It makes me wonder how Latinx group scope with the stressors that come with poverty and dealing with public housing? Are they likely to gravitate towards substance abuse or pursue unhealthy mental hygiene or are their rates lower due to their collective based communities?
ReplyDelete-Jclarke
Your blog post was very interesting and it reminded of a policy called TPS, Temporary Protection Status. As stated in the name it is meant to be temporary but some have had it for almost 20 years and now the US wants to send finally get rid of it but in those 20 years these immigrants have worked, created families, and have become part of society and it is very difficult to start all that over. I agree with you that the US allows immigrants to come into the country and end up getting the short end of the stick.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Latinos should get paid at a higher rate for their work. Immigrants are thought to be "stealing" jobs but in reality they have the hardworking jobs that no one else wants to do. It is unfair that they work hard long hours to not even make the amount of money they deserve. The United States should definitely treat immigrants better and without immigrants, the US would not be what it is today.
ReplyDeleteThis post is so true. I live in the suburbs and a lot of immigrants come over to work at the local farms in the summer then go right back to where their from. It's 100% unfair that they work so hard at jobs that no one else really wants to do and don't make the amount of money they deserve. The United States has a lot to approve to make America "great" as it's known as.
ReplyDelete-IW
Your comment "the US was willing and okay for having immigrants come over and work and stay here but didn't have a plan how to take care of them" really stood out to me. This is important because it shows how US does not plan effectively for the people in this country. This is why the country has the problems it has now. The government does not properly take care of the people in the country. This is why people in this country struggle. The government needs to do more to protect the people in the country. They need solutions to and aid.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the American Dream is often used to excuse of the poor conditions of the lower class. If they work hard enough, then they wont have to work a minimum wage job and can actually afford to provide for their families- as if working a minimum wage job full time is not hard work. It reminds me of an article I read- economists at Harvard did research about the "fallacy" of the American Dream, and found that Americans greatly overestimate the likelihood of economic class mobility and the economic fairness in the country. In fact, we overestimate it more than other surveyed countries where economic mobility is easier. Here is a link to the article: https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/stantcheva/files/the_american_dream_is_a_fallacy_and_americans_still_dont_realize_it_data_show_-_quartz.pdf
ReplyDeleteHesan