Reader: Neely Kim

Respondent: Shaista Pollard

Recorder: Dennis Clifford

Immigrants in Our Own Land

By

Jimmy Baca

(Unsettling America, 8-9

Jimmy Baca was born in 1952 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was sent to live in an orphanage at the age of two. When he turned twelve he ran away to live a life on the streets and when it was possible he would stay with friends. At the age of eighteen he was sent to prison. At this time he was illiterate. While in prison he taught himself how to read and write. He knew then that he wanted to become an English teacher. He did just that, getting his degree in English from the University of New Mexico in 1984.

He is known as the Poet of the People. He has many literary awards and promotes literature through workshops and supplying free books to whom ever may need them.

The objectives used are 1b, 2b, 3c, 4b, 5a, and 6b.

The poem "Immigrant in our own Land" has several meanings. It can be a description of the immigration process or it can be a description of the barrio or even a description of life in Mexico (the old world). Kenny calls the poem a description of segregation on a concentrated level referring to stanza 3. Dennis says that " in the last part of the last stanza it could be in reference to an immigrant coming home to his native country or it could be an inmate coming home from prison." Claudine comments that the first line could be interpreted as the immigrant dream. Some other comments were that maybe the "promise" in the third stanza with the "promise" in that is inherent with immigration. Also that the poem opens up to what prison would be like; also the poem relates to immigration. One more adds the difference stressed between street smart and book smart in the first stanza. Dr. White contributes that in Lone Ranger, when Thomas goes to jail, it contains a similar scene pertaining to segregation.