Mexican immigrants share their culture with U.S.
By Anni Moore
IV Leader Staff
It is amazing how little we sometimes know about our
closest neighbors. For many Americans, Mexico is just a place of cheap vacation
or a major source of both legal and illegal immigrants. But Mexico is so much
more than just beautiful beaches. Moreover, the immigrants that many Americans
don’t like have actually helped to build this country up to what it is now. They
are here to stay; they have brought their culture and traditions, and want
nothing more than to live peacefully, loving both their old and new homeland.
Isela Ramos, an IVCC student who will be starting nursing
program in the fall, is not a typical Mexican immigrant. She was born in the
United States six months after her family moved here. Her father, who had worked
in the US for short periods of time, decided to move because he had relatives
here. Since money was scarce even after selling their farm and store, he was
able to take only three of his younger children. The seven older ones, the
youngest only 12, stayed behind with relatives, and were united with their
family three years later.
A common thing about the first generation immigrants is their
willingness to work hard in low paying jobs. Isela’s father with only grade
school education and poor English was able to provide for his family of 13 to
live comfortably. When his older children came to the states, they, too, worked
to support the family. In Mexico where families are especially close, this is
the way of life.
However, times have changed. Although it has not affected the
norms and values, factory jobs that supported the immigrants are disappearing,
and so are the ways to make living without education and knowing English. Now
the families are looking for means to support their children’s education. Isela
is the first one in her family to go to college, and she is working hard in the
school as well.
Americans often think that immigrants come here to be part of
the good life, and thus should become Americans. Yet it cannot be asked that
they forget their own country, traditions and language. For many first
generation immigrants the fear that they will lose their identity as Mexicans
prevents them from learning English, becoming citizens or even socializing with
their non-Hispanic neighbors. People don’t like when two Mexicans speak Spanish
in the company of non Spanish speakers, but this might be their only way of
creating a comfort zone in the strange place among people who are not all very
friendly. The big melting pot is threatening to dilute one’s identity, and
everyone will fight against it in their own way.
There is also a lot of stereotyping going on. Of course, this
phenomenon is universal, but it doesn’t hurt any less because of it. Just as we
would not be complimented by “stupid Americans” or “rich Yankees” – the two most
common names for Americans – neither do Mexicans appreciate being associated
with illegal immigration and welfare. Of course there are those who qualify, but
then again, we have all met some stupid Americans and rich Yankees as well. And
it should not be forgotten: not every Latino is Mexican – there are 40 countries
south of the U.S. border.
Mexico is the home of corn that is now grown all over the
world. It is also home for the millions of immigrants who have helped to build
up U.S. agriculture. Agriculture, for example, is the No. 1 industry in many
states and is dominated by low wage earning immigrants who guarantee fresh
fruits and vegetables.Without them, it would not happen.
American culture was formed by immigrants from many different
countries, and this process is not finished yet. There is a lot we could learn
from the Mexican immigrants, just as there are things they will learn from
Americans. The best thing about immigration is that one could take and put
together the best from the two cultures. However, it requires willingness and
acceptance from both sides, and that is sadly often lacking.