The 30 Days program did show many stereotypes of immigrants. For instance, Rigo does hard jobs for very low wages. It also shows the conditions that many Mexican immigrants are attempting to leave. Even though they are under or close to the poverty level in the United States, they are still better situated here than their former home in Mexico. Finally, it shows the sadness they feel because they are unable to return to their families in Mexico. For example, Pati was unable to see either of her parents before they passed away and it was clearly an emotional topic for her.
Armida represents the quest for the “American Dream,” or that which most Americans (and immigrants too) want to strive for. She breaks many of these stereotypes, or preconceived pictures in our heads, about illegal immigrants. She is very successful in school and an accomplished golfer. Armida has dreams to become the first in her family to attend a college and has high hopes of attending Princeton.
By airing this episode, producers were able to shed light on both sides of the illegal immigration controversy. They did not, however, show bias toward either side. Both were represented equally with valid arguments. I think that it was important to air this because illegal immigration is such a controversial topic right now in the media and politics.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
30's Days, Immigration in Review
Illegal immigration has become an important topic in current news and politics. This controversial subject was featured in FX’s “30 Days” program. It begins when a Frank George, radical minuteman from the border, moves in with an illegal immigrant family in East L.A. This family of seven lives in tight quarters which become even smaller when another person comes to live there.
The Gonzalez family consists of Rigoberto (father), Pati (mother), and 5 children. The two youngest of the children were born in the United States, thus making them citizens. The other three however, are still in the States illegally. The most outspoken of them all was oldest daughter Armida.
Frank must leave all of his identification papers behind, do manual labor, and live in their home for 30 days. He himself was an immigrant from Cuba, however he and his family did so legally. Upon his arrival to his new temporary home, he is instantly reminded of Cuba. Frank is immediately put to work with Rigoberto, who works for low wages as a handyman. This consisted of many strenuous jobs and chores. Rigoberto says that he is “doing the jobs that Americans don’t want to do.”
Frank also spends time with the rest of the family and really begins to become a part of their family and lives. He is genuinely touched by the family and feels a bond of kinship between them. During his time there he states, “…we really start to appreciate life.” But was that enough to change his radical ways?
This is not meant to persuade the viewer in either direction. If anything else, the producers of this episode were attempting to inform the viewer. Both sides of the argument are shown, one through Frank and the other through the family and their friends. It informs the viewers of the conditions that immigrants are leaving behind and their dreams of the future yet to come. It is most defiantly an episode worth watching.
The Gonzalez family consists of Rigoberto (father), Pati (mother), and 5 children. The two youngest of the children were born in the United States, thus making them citizens. The other three however, are still in the States illegally. The most outspoken of them all was oldest daughter Armida.
Frank must leave all of his identification papers behind, do manual labor, and live in their home for 30 days. He himself was an immigrant from Cuba, however he and his family did so legally. Upon his arrival to his new temporary home, he is instantly reminded of Cuba. Frank is immediately put to work with Rigoberto, who works for low wages as a handyman. This consisted of many strenuous jobs and chores. Rigoberto says that he is “doing the jobs that Americans don’t want to do.”
Frank also spends time with the rest of the family and really begins to become a part of their family and lives. He is genuinely touched by the family and feels a bond of kinship between them. During his time there he states, “…we really start to appreciate life.” But was that enough to change his radical ways?
This is not meant to persuade the viewer in either direction. If anything else, the producers of this episode were attempting to inform the viewer. Both sides of the argument are shown, one through Frank and the other through the family and their friends. It informs the viewers of the conditions that immigrants are leaving behind and their dreams of the future yet to come. It is most defiantly an episode worth watching.
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