Chromeo Bonafied Lovin from VICE Records on Vimeo.
I think one of the benefits of being a college student is that you get to take classes which appeal to your interest other than the classes you are "required" to take. This semester I've had the amazing pleasure of taking a class called Transborder Immigration and Economy, which focuses on why people from Mexico migrate to the United States. I love this class because it has helped me understand so many things about my culture and where I come from. Also, knowing about trends and patterns of migration has helped me to better advocate for the DREAM Act, which is a wonderful plus!
Some of the perks of being in this class is that we get to read a lot of papers and research concerning immigration and today I had the opportunity of watching a movie called "Crossing Arizona," which is a documentary about Illegal immigration in the United States, but specially in Arizona.
This movie really touched my heart. Some of the stories you hear and the all struggles people crossing the border go through are all really moving. The movie also included the other side of illegal immigration: those who are against it. I'm sorry to say it but, these people just appeared to be cold and insensitive. It's not that I don't understand their point of view, this is their country and they have the right to protect it but maybe they should focus their efforts on Washington instead of terrorizing people at the border.
I have always known about the struggles people who cross the border face day-to-day but to hear their stories directly from them is heartbreaking. I think people are quick to judge and generalize the situation without taking into consideration how much immigration actually helps this country. In the movie, this quote stood out more than any other:
"...Do you have any idea what it took that person to get there to fix your breakfast, to make your bed, to mow your lawn...the suffering they went through, the money they had to spent, the families they left behind?"
This quote really made an impression on me because it really makes me mad that everyone wants $.99 cent drinks, or cheap vegetables, cheap food, cheap burgers without even realizing the prices depend on immigration. We are able to get "everything" for less money because there's someone behind that product who worked cheap labor. This is the side that no one EVER thinks about. There's a story behind every inexpensive product. Behind every bed made at a hotel there's a family of four who looked for a better opportunity, behind every cabinet in your kitchen there's a brother and sister looking for a college degree, behind every clean floor in your school or office there's a family who left everything behind for just a chance at something better. There are so many roads these individuals have walked, so many struggles they have had to overcome, and so many obstacles still to come; how can we sit there and do nothing?
Next time you buy something...anything...wonder to yourself "what's the story behind this? Where has this been? and AM I BRAVE ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?"
Some of the perks of being in this class is that we get to read a lot of papers and research concerning immigration and today I had the opportunity of watching a movie called "Crossing Arizona," which is a documentary about Illegal immigration in the United States, but specially in Arizona.
This movie really touched my heart. Some of the stories you hear and the all struggles people crossing the border go through are all really moving. The movie also included the other side of illegal immigration: those who are against it. I'm sorry to say it but, these people just appeared to be cold and insensitive. It's not that I don't understand their point of view, this is their country and they have the right to protect it but maybe they should focus their efforts on Washington instead of terrorizing people at the border.
I have always known about the struggles people who cross the border face day-to-day but to hear their stories directly from them is heartbreaking. I think people are quick to judge and generalize the situation without taking into consideration how much immigration actually helps this country. In the movie, this quote stood out more than any other:
"...Do you have any idea what it took that person to get there to fix your breakfast, to make your bed, to mow your lawn...the suffering they went through, the money they had to spent, the families they left behind?"
This quote really made an impression on me because it really makes me mad that everyone wants $.99 cent drinks, or cheap vegetables, cheap food, cheap burgers without even realizing the prices depend on immigration. We are able to get "everything" for less money because there's someone behind that product who worked cheap labor. This is the side that no one EVER thinks about. There's a story behind every inexpensive product. Behind every bed made at a hotel there's a family of four who looked for a better opportunity, behind every cabinet in your kitchen there's a brother and sister looking for a college degree, behind every clean floor in your school or office there's a family who left everything behind for just a chance at something better. There are so many roads these individuals have walked, so many struggles they have had to overcome, and so many obstacles still to come; how can we sit there and do nothing?
Next time you buy something...anything...wonder to yourself "what's the story behind this? Where has this been? and AM I BRAVE ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?"
We all have secret thoughts. Things we can't say but wish other people would find out on their own so that they could comfort us, hug us, donate kind words.
Just four months; four short months before the inevitable comes. I'm not gonna lie, I'm terrified of turning twenty years old. I have no idea why the thought of it scares me so much, I just can't help it. I am a little excited about the celebration though, I still have no idea how I'm going to celebrate my birthday or IF I'm going to celebrate it at all, but the thought of it is the only thing keeping me from going crazy. I think one of the most exciting things is waiting to blow out the candles on your cake, I've always liked that part...even if I can't put the candle out with just one blow ha! I like to wish for things that aren't always possible. These are a few things on my wish list...some are completely crazy but they're things I've always wanted (even though it might be a little too late for some of them).
Things I'll be thinking of while blowing out candles in four months:
1. I wish I'll some how turn into this eclectic type of girl who always knows what to say, how to dress, and how not to freak out and be clumsy.
2. I wish I'd stop making avoidable mistakes.
3. I wish someone...anyone... gets me the Pushing Daisies DVD (season 1 and/or 2).
4. I wish this year would be my year.
5. I wish for a David Macklovitch/Ezra Koening/Jesse Eisenberg look-a-like love interest.
6. I wish I'd become more artistic, meaning I wish I could somehow be a good painter, or singer, or dancer, ugh, any talent would be better than no talent at all!
7. I wish I could go to Coachella with my brother.
8. I wish for my hard work this year to get the DREAM Act passed not to go down the drain.
9. I wish for courage.
10. I wish for a job and car.
11. I wish for Sugar and Spice and all things nice.
12. I wish for a better Italia overall.
Lately I've found myself in situations where I've had to share "my story" with other people. You know...the usual: where I come from, the struggles I've had to overcome, and how is it that I got to this point in my life, among many other personal things. I find these situations extremely uncomfortable. I'm not used to opening myself to people and, to be honest, I feel exposed. Maybe I'm just weird, but I'm the kind of person that has to get to know someone really well before telling them about what's going on in my head and even then, I keep most of the important things to myself. I have no idea why sharing things about me with other people makes me feel vulnerable, like I'm giving something very important away, something I'll never get back.
A few weeks ago I wrote about how much I wanted to see this movie called "The Fall." I finally got a chance to watch it and it has become one of my most favorite movies of all times! It is so creative, the amount of detail is incredible...it is just amazing! I was watching the special features after the movie and the director said something quite funny, it ran along the lines of "i don't care if this is the worst movie ever done..." and I thought it was hilarious because that is far from true. This is probably one of the best movies every made! If you have the chance to see it please do, you won't be disappointed! I'm sorry if this "review" isn't the best one, but there are just good enough words that could ever describe this film.
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