In the text “Contemporary Ethnic Geographies in America” informs us about ethnic enclaves in the United States in an article by Brian J. Godfrey. Chapter 3: New Ethnic Landscapes informs us about how a town can become an establishment such as a monument to one city. Ethnic Enclaves: Consolidation of Place-based Identities on page 67 explains the identities found within cultural landscaping and how its shape and effects reflect on the demographics of the city. Historical monuments and services also shape the ethnic enclaves of ones city. I will be analyzing San Francisco’s Chinatown ethnic enclaves
The Power of Hope Gary Soto brings the impoverished, crime filled streets of the Mexican-American communities where he grew up to life by “evoking the harsh forces that often shape the life for Chicanos” (“‘Gary Soto’: Poetry Foundation” p. 1). He combines an archetypal young love poem with the concept of poverty to create the powerful poem: “Oranges” (1985). Soto also works with the notion of old age and the importance of life in his somber poem: “The Seventieth Year” (1986).
The family of Luis Rodriguez, like many Mexican Americans in the border regions from the 1950’s to the 1960’s, faced much disparity in the social and economic realm of their new homes and communities. Living in the United States, they believed, would allow for growth and opportunities not possible in Mexico. In their quests to lead a better life, the heads of many households had to work hard and long hours in order for the sustainment of their livelihood and in Luis Rodriguez’s case, both of his parents worked long and hard hours. Rodriguez’s parents wanted better for their family, but their journey to Los Angeles would forever change the trajectory of the life they envisioned for their family and, namely, for Luis Rodriguez. Born in El Paso, Texas, the Rodriguez family moved back and forth between the border and the region of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Not only has El Centro De Corazón made a positive impact on the Latino community, but they have also made a positive impact on my mother and me when we were both battling challenges together in a time period of our life. During the time my mother's illness had exceeded and she did not have medical insurance or the certain amount of funds to continue going to her typical clinic. After searching we were able to find this wholesome, non-profit clinic that helps individuals that are going through similar situations she was going through. My mom was thankful to have found this organization because it was the only way she would be able to receive the medical attention (such as blood test, exams, and check-ups) she needed with little cost. All the
Richard Rodriguez makes several great points in how America plays the victim. America contains millions of illegal immigrants and I believe that America should grant them citizenship. Mexicans, unlike Americans are willing to work for low wages, and fill in jobs that Americans are unwilling to do. Most Americans have a stereotype of most gardeners, being Mexicans unlike the typical American who chooses to stay inside and watch his or hers Smartphone hour hours at a time. Mexicans work out in the heat cutting grass, racking leaves, and tending gardens.
Located in the Lower West Side of Chicago, the neighborhood of Pilsen is the most advertised area currently undergoing gentrification in the city. The neighborhood has been the heart of Latin-American and Mexican-American culture ever since the area was overtaken from whites in the 1950’s and 60’s. In recent years this culture has been under attack from forces of gentrification, wealthier incoming groups , and the displacement of Hispanic natives. There are many sociological elements in play with this situation, but two main ones are the dynamics of power and its affect on culture. The sociological definition of culture is very simple but has extremely broad parameters in its scope, with it including any shared forms of practices, beliefs,
In Leo R. Chavez’s ethnography, The Latino Threat: Constructing Immigrants, Citizens, and the Nation, the claimed problem of Latino immigration, specifically Mexicans, is tackled using interviews, statistics, and other works of literature. Chavez’s ethnography not only discusses Latino immigration but Latino invasion, integration, organ transplants and even Latina fertilization. One of Chavez’s big topics is on how the media influences the public to believe that Latinos are planning an invasion or take-over in order to gain the land that was originally Mexico’s. The topic of Latina reproduction and fertilization comes up multiple times through Chavez’s ethnography. Another main topic that plays a part in Chavez’s argument is the Latino role in public marches and the citizenship aspect of their actions.
In Racial Fault Lines: The Historical Origins of White Supremacy in California, Tomas Almaguer (2009) describes how race and racism coincides to facilitate the birth of white supremacy in California during the late nineteenth century. The idea of racial formation allowed groups to establish their power and privilege over defined racial lines. For each of the three racialized groups presented Chapter one combines the historical and sociological framework to describe the transformation of Mexican California. Through highlighting the historical accounts of racialized groups, fear of potential threats to white workers creates white supremacy. He continues by describing the peopling of Anglo-CA from 1848-1900 with the immigration of Irish, German,
The richness of El Paso, Texas relies on the vast diversity observed in each one of its citizens, which has opened the way for El Paso to develop as a multicultural city. Emigration has been one of the main factors that has diversified El Paso’s cultural background, citizens from all over the world have landed a foot over American territory and have made it theirs, several nationalities, several races, one community, one El Paso. Emigration has also caused the expansion of a plethora of traditions across the area, which has made El Paso’s culture an indispensable resource of the state of Texas. A diverse country, state or city is the one that values the difference in people and therefore recognizes that people with different backgrounds,
“The common denominator all Latinos have is that we want some respect. That 's what we 're all fighting for” - Cristina Saralegui. Judith Ortiz Cofer published the article, “The Myth of the Latin Woman,” where she expresses her anger towards stereotypes, inequality, and degradation of Latin Americans. Cofer explains the origins of these perceived views and proceeds to empower Latin American women to champion over them. Cofer establishes her credibility as a Latin American woman with personal anecdotes that emphasize her frustration of the unfair depiction of Latinos in society.
From as early as I could remember I noticed I was not like the others kids. I had an interest for things most kids would not be interested in. I liked interacting with people, knowing about people and their life stories; I wanted to help in anyway that I could when I would hear everyone’s problems. I thought outside the box throughout my whole childhood and I wanted to make the most out of my knowledge. I told myself that I was going to dedicate my life to helping my community.
“The virtual personas of Latino immigrants (represented as a threat to the nation) make the authority that has accumulated for real immigrants in their role as workers and consumers vanish” (Chavez 47). In the public eye Latinos are depicted as noncompliant and dangerous citizens and noncitizens of the United States. “The virtual lives of ‘Mexicans,’ ‘Chicanos,’ ‘illegal aliens,’ and ‘immigrants’ become abstractions and representations that stand in the place of real lives” (Chavez 47). It is depressing to understand that the majority of the United States strictly sees Latinos as these distorted images. At the end of the day each individual’s life matters, we all need to become more compassionate for one another.
societies in the world. These sub-cultures include Whites, African Americans, Asians, Irish, Latino, and European among others. Chicano refers to the identity of Mexican-American descendant in the United State. The term is also used to refer to the Mexicans or Latinos in general. Chicanos are descendants of different races such as Central American Indians, Spanish, Africans, Native Americans, and Europeans.
Lance Freeman, an associate professor of urban planning in Columbia, wanted to investigate if there was any displacement going on in two predominantly black neighborhoods that was briskly gentrifying. Much to his dismay, he couldn’t find any correlation between gentrification and displacement. What was surprising to Freeman was his discovery, “poor residents and those without a college education were actually less likely to move if they resided in gentrifying neighborhoods”. (Sternbergh, 19) Freeman adds, “The discourse on gentrification, has tended to overlook the possibility that some of the neighborhood changes associated with gentrification might be appreciated by the prior residents.” (Sternbergh, 19)
How does the hinterland organize the center that does not exist? And if the center does not exist, do Dear and Flusty mean to imply that gentrification is a myth? In the early 1990s when Los Angeles faced an economic downturn, one which Curry and Kenney (2000) detailed was perpetual and long term, the Los Angeles school has been forced to withdraw some of its more lofty claims. Curry and Kenney (2000) put Los Angeles as such an incomparable city that it would be impossible to project it as a universal model for all cities.
