Chris Ornelas
LITR 4333
Dr. Craig White
November 12, 2003 

The Transition of the Mexican Immigrant into American Culture  

 I. Introduction

            The life of a Mexican Immigrant can be difficult adjustment without the necessary preparations.  Most immigrants come to America for the prospect of a better life.  Some Mexicans emigrate because of religious intolerance, political turmoil, and racial injustice that occur because that life has sustained historically.  When leaving their homeland to migrate, Mexicans will encounter many difficulties to reach the new world.  The human psyche must be able to tolerate these issues because a weak and powerless mind will break under the pressure.  If they are tolerated, then the mind is susceptible to act in a non-aggressive manner.  This enables the individual(s) to think rationally and modify through necessary intervention. 

The book The Life Story of the Mexican Immigrant by Manuel Gamio tells about the struggle between the New World and the Old World.  Gamio develops critical story lines that interrelate these biographical accounts of desperate people seeking a new and affordable life.  Gamio develops an overall theme about the struggle that ultimately defines each individual’s character.  However, some of the immigrants interviewed were on their way back to Mexico to join agricultural colonies under the Mexican government; some became disillusioned and returned to the United States.  Hernando Cervante, a Mexican Immigrant, said “I found everything different, very dull, and very changed.  I no longer wished to stay there, but to return to Dallas” (Gamio vi). 

            The Woman Who Lost Her Soul is a chronology of different women who struggle with identity when they migrate to the United States.  Jovita Mireles-Gonzales’ determination to incorporate literature, personal experience and the accounts of Mexican Immigrants project a dramatic sequence of events that tells an endeavoring story of human sacrifice.  The story is the most important factor in this book.  Each chapter of the book contains a different perspective of social indifference.  After reading each book, I decided to pick a subject and explain different elements surrounding the theme of the story.  The topics have a wide range of subjects that include The Economic Adjustment, Conflict and Contemplation, and Assimilation. 

Table of Contents

I.                    Introduction

II.                  History of Mexican-American Immigration

A.     Literary significance

B.    A Migrant Worker

C.    Education and Family

III.        The Life Story of the Mexican Immigrant by Manuel Gamio

A.     Economic Adjustment

IV.       The Woman Who Lost Her Soul by Jovita Mireles Gonzales

A.     Conflict and Contemplation

V.                 Migrant Souls: A Novel by Arturo Isles

A.      Assimilation

VI.       Conclusion

II. History of Mexican-American Immigration

Migration between Mexico and the United States is part of a historical process of increasing North America integration.  This mixing of cultures is making an important mark on the literature developed during periods of struggle.  In the United States, family histories are shaped by stories of immigration.  These stories are also prevalent in film, television, literature and other cultural media.  With an average of one million immigrants entering the country each year since 1990, the U.S. is now experiencing the fourth and largest wave of immigration in this century (Suarez 245).  The news and media can create a resounding effect of immigrant literature.  New provides us with a non-fiction perspective that can create a story for literature.  For example, Jessica Lynch was rescued by fellow American soldiers in Iraq of April 2003.  She was brought back to the U.S. to receive admiration for her courage and bravery in time of war. As a result, Lynch signed a book and television deal worth a million dollars for the rights to her miraculous and controversial story.

Mexico has a rich literary heritage that dates back to the Mayans and Aztecs civilizations.  Although elements of story were completely different to the classical and modern styles of today, the story is the central element to all literature.  In Mexico, family life is extremely important and family ties connect each other to the cultural life of Mexico.  This motivation for a family-oriented society creates many relevant stories that define a group of people.  The struggle of the immigrant is probably the most universal theme that is used in immigrant literature.  The hardships and adversities elevate storylines to become recognizable events in daily life.  Whether it is fiction or non-fiction, the reader becomes fascinated with detailed characters that progress through a story and overcome obstacles in a new environment. 

The Mexican migratory worker in the southwest America is regarded as a necessary part of the harvest season.  The need of U.S. employers to import foreign labor was heightened by the expansion of cattle ranches in the southwest, and by the increase of the fruit production in California in 1850 and 1880.  Before Mexican workers supported American agriculture, the Chinese had filled the labor hole.  Nearly 200,000 Chinese were legally contracted to cultivate California fields, until the Chinese Exclusion Act (Monto 83).  Vincent Ferraro said “This infamous act suspended the migration of Chinese laborers to America for ten years in 1882.”  This paved the way for many Mexicans to emigrate because of the American labor scene. 

This intensive effort by many agricultural farmers to rely on illegal migrant workers didn’t become a problem in the nineteenth century.  Between 1850 and 1880, 55,000 Mexican workers immigrated to the U.S. to become field hands in the Southwest (Monto 167).  The institution of Mexican workers in the U.S. was well established at this time in commercial agriculture, the mining industry, and railroad.  The working conditions and salaries of the Mexicans were poor.  Often many workers would die because of the extreme weather conditions in the Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico.  The U.S. government was not concerned about the relative conditions to these workers because none of this was documented.  These immigrants were not citizens of the U.S. and there were not commissions or agencies to ensure the safety of workers in the 1800’s.

During the 1980’s, America was in a recession and Ronald Reagan was President.  The American dream seemed very hopeless to a lot of people.  Also, people began to notice the influx of illegal Mexican immigrants across the Texas and California borders.  Suarez-Orozco conceived important questions like “Do the new immigrants help or hurt the economy,” and “Can the Mexicans carry their own weight or are they a burden to other American residents” (Orozco 23)?  The government had to respond to the overwhelming criticism given by conservative lobbyists of labor movements.  U.S. Customs who enforce the border had to bear down and enforce the boundaries that separate these two great nations.  Americans are very receptive toward the media when a problem spreads like a disease.  

Mexican immigrant families make critical decisions that will affect their loved ones.  Parents choose the U.S because they want their children to have a successful life that would not be possible in their native homeland.  Mexico has a poverty rate of thirty four percent (Massey 143).  Mexico’s southern states have a poverty rate of sixty five percent because of socioeconomic factors (Massey 145). The lack of necessary funds by local and state governments decreases the possibility of a successful life.  Families are forced to live in desperate living conditions where food and shelter are scarce.  Because the U.S is a thriving industrialized nation, the opportunity and availability of blue-collar jobs is a very lucrative prospect for Mexicans. 

Education is a hopeless dream for many people.  Prosperous families with the capability to afford an education for their children are few and far between.  On the contrary, America has many resources to ensure a productive life.  Many immigrant families have experienced the dream of sending their children to college.  However, because of socioeconomic conditions in their native homeland, they have a low academic background.  Many studies have shown that poor Mexican families see little intrinsic value in acquiring an education (Garcia 208).  As a result, parents do not ordinarily get involved in their children’s education.  The parents also have difficulty in assisting their children with schoolwork.  Most of the immigrants have very little education and therefore, they do not encourage its importance in American society.

Ferraro, Vincent L. Chinese Exclusion Act. Updated October 2003. URL: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/chinex.htm. 13 November 2003

Garcia, Alma M. The Mexican Americans: (The New Americans). Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002.

Massey, Douglas S. et al. Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Mexican Immigration in an Era of Economic Integration. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 2002.

Monto, Alexander. The Roots of Mexican Labor Migration. New York: Praeger Publishers 1994.

Suarez-Orozco, Marcelo M. Crossings: Mexican Immigration in Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1998.

III. The Life Story of the Mexican Immigrant by Manuel Gamio

Gamio, Manuel. The Life Story of the Mexican Immigrant. New York: Dover Publications, 1971.

The distribution of Gamio’s books in the United States and Mexico provides a timely opportunity to examine historical circumstances and political positions related to migration and repatriation.  Throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, Gamio interviewed hundreds of Mexican immigrants for the conception of this book.  His original plan was to categorize the different struggles afflicting immigration and react through observation and develop a synopsis.  These personal documents do not present the migration in its entirety, but they are a valuable contribution to its understanding.  They will especially give insight into the cultural background, experiences and relationships that had formed during the transitions from the old world to the new world.

Felipe Valdes always had a dream to live in America.  His mother was in desperate need of a heart transplant to cure her ailing heart.  She decided to leave her husband in Guadalajara and join her oldest son Miguel, who had been living in Houston for approximately 2 years.  Felipe was just out of high school and was contemplating his future to be a productive citizen in a new country.  Felipe was in a perfect situation.  Although the Valdes’ were a middle-class family with a mediocre income, Felipe’s brothers decided to send him to school to learn a trade.  Raul and Julio paid over two hundred dollars to enroll him in a mechanical theory class.

However, Felipe had to give up two significant people in his life.  When he moved to Texas, his father refused to leave his homeland.  “He would rather die in his own country where he was born” (Gamio 65).  The other person was his girlfriend, Marisola.  He always promised he would come back to Mexico to marry her.  But unfortunately, he never got to see those two people ever again.  They would tragically die in separate automobile accidents.  The devastation weighed heavily on Felipe, but he knew that his dream was not part of this unforeseen tragedy.

Felipe had many obstacles that were encountered throughout his journey to America.  Gamio’s underlying argument that Felipe had to sacrifice many important things in order to be a successful immigrant is the theme to this story.  However, because of his success, Felipe’s sacrifice is justified by the American Dream.  This is an unfortunate tale that is experienced by many besieged Mexicans.  The extended family is a cornerstone for the Mexican.  They take great pride in how the family can define a person and instill remarkable social values.  Furthermore, the economic adjustment accentuates the theme of sacrifice because of the overall significance of financial gain.

IV.  The Woman Who Lost Her Soul by Jovita Gonzales-Mireles

Gonzales-Mireles, Jovita. The Woman Who Lost Her Soul and Other Stories: Collected Tales and Short Stories (Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literacy Heritage). Houston: Arte Publico Press, 2001.

Conflict is another important theme of the Mexican immigrant struggle.  The attempt to reassert their ethnic background can be a perilous journey.  Juana de Hidalgo strived not to assimilate into American culture.  She only moved to America based on advice given by family and friends.  Her husband, Ricardo, was a successful miner in Sonora, but immigrated to Florida because of the Mexican Revolution in the early 20^th century.  They had not found success in America and earning less money in Florida than in their native country.  At first, Juana was enthusiastic about her children receiving an American education, but soon relented because she was neglecting the Mexican culture.  Juana knew that education was very important, ever though she could not read or write and had no formal education.  But she did not want to raise her children in a place that was experiencing political and social turmoil.  Juana says “It is better for me to stay here than to move home and witness evil things about our country.  She battled tremendously against assimilation and the effects it could have on her family.  Her conflict surrounding literacy and the Revolution made her feel isolated and ignorant.  She was also isolated because of some misfortune in her family.  Her brother died in a train accident, and then her mother subsequently committed suicide because of the tragedy to her son.

Mrs. Mireles has an astounding way to communicate to the reader.  Her elaborate style of writing causes the imagination to think beyond the story. After reading this excerpt of different women who struggle with identity, I thought about different explanations to the story.  Maybe the Revolution was a reminder not to take anything for granted. The loss of family her inability to read and write is a tremendous feat to overcome.  However, she prospered and eventually taught herself to be a literate and productive immigrant in society. 

V. Migrant Souls: A Novel by Arturo Isles

Isles, Arturo. Migrant Souls: A Novel. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1990.

Josie Salazar has been raised in America since the age of seven.  She comes from a well educated family that was very prosperous in real estate in Mexico.  When Josie was twenty-one, her father entered politics in the city of Chicago.  Her father is very strict and maintains a rigorous schedule that neglects his duties as a father.  However, when the family is at home, Josie must speak Spanish and practice Mexican customs.  They are only to eat Mexican-style dishes and watch Spanish programs on television.  Assimilating into the American culture is forbidden in the home.  On the contrary, the father understands that participating in American society is crucial to succeeding in the business world.  Mr. Salazar says “As long as you dwell in my home, you will keep your Mexican heritage.  However, I cannot and will not control your manners in the business world” (Islas 45).

The theme that is relevant to this story is how assimilation is handled and executed throughout this family’s story.  Mr. Isles illustrates that the struggle between father and daughter is a contemptuous relationship, but the two try to separate family life and social life.  Eventually, they find common ground, and amend their relationship by sharing Mexican ideas that they believe.  One way they share their ideas is by traveling Mexico, in search of their ancestry.  They were both interested surrounding the death of a great leader during the Spanish regime.  The leader turned out to be a relative that was persecuted for not partaking in a community ceremony that would honor the King and Queen of Spain.  Mr. Salazar identified himself with the King and Queen.  He soon realized his faults for commanding his daughter to adhere to such strict guidelines in her life.  The daughter would come to appreciate her father’s passion towards their Mexican heritage.  They both would find love and comfort by sharing ideas and values.

Gledhill, John R. The Mexican Revolution. Manchester ERA Project. Updated 9 October 1998.

http://nt2.ec.man.ac.uk/mutimedia/Mexican%20Revolution.htm. 15 November 2003.

Wall, Alan. Memo from Mexico: Why the Majority of Mexican Immigrants are not Going to

Vote for the GOP. VDARE. Updated 29 May 2001. http://www.vdare.com/awall/mexicans.htm. 12 November 2003.

VI. Conclusion

Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States and will comprise of one-quarter of the country’s total population by mid-century (Riding 116).  Today there are well over one hundred-thirty million immigrants world-wide and probably in the order of over thirty million refugees world-wide (Riding 56).  Are Latinos and Latinas changing the face of the Americas? Does this change constitute a beneficial social environment for our culture?  These questions are significant to ask because of the volatility and transgression that can occur because of overwhelming immigration changes.  Some Americans question the validity of some immigrants.  In other words, over eight million illegal immigrants live in the United States (Allison 1).  Undocumented illegal aliens can be a cause substantial harm to the economy.  This can drain public funds and taxpayer money that is desperately needed for other important projects.  Although illegal immigration is a significant problem, Americans cannot reprimand Mexican immigrants.  There are legalities to the system that has to be enforced.  As a nation, we should embrace each other for complete solidarity. 

Immigration is not a U.S. issue.  Immigration today is the defining feature of all major post-industrial democracies, whether throughout Western Europe, the Middle East or Japan.  Immigration is a global phenomenon that cannot be maintained through unilateral policy initiatives.  The United States is now in the midst of the fourth and largest wave of immigration the country has ever encountered (Suarez 245).  People will encounter domestic disputes with other races and ethnic cultures, but by thinking who should assimilate or give up an idea is unreasonable and illogical.  Thinking should be based on prosperity and happiness, not by disputing arguments.  Our ability to reason and apply rational behavior towards each other is our key to survive as a human race. 

Works Cited

Allison, William P. Immigration from Mexico (Study Examine Costs and Benefitsfor the United States). Center for Immigration Studies. Updated 11 May 2003. http://www.cis.org/immigrationnews.html. 18 November 2003.

LaFarge, O. A. Five Families: Mexican Case Studies in the Culture of Poverty. New York: Basic Books, 1975.

Riding, Alan R. Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans. Vancouver: Vintage Books, 1989.