The city of Chicago has long been considered a prime destination for many immigrant groups coming into the United States. Though, despite its popularity, the city has long shown disdain and disregard for those coming into its borders. This argument is made apparent through the stories of both the Polish and the Mexicans and Puerto Ricans who have come into the city. In the case of the Polish, author and historian, Dominic Pacyga writes on their story and ordeal in his work, Polish Immigrants and Industrial Chicago. His work specifically focuses on Polish in the South Side of Chicago between the years of 1880 and 1922. Pacyga paints a dismal picture for the Chicago Polish communities at the time. Often, many found low paying work in either the …show more content…
While the other films arguably make the case that while immigrating to America entails hardships, there is ultimately hope in American life. This film, meanwhile, takes a more realistic approach, discussing the truth that for many coming into America, life is cruel and limited in opportunity. Though both characters do make it to America, they find life almost as challenging as it was in Guatemala. The film ends on a tragic note, with Rosa dying from illness and Enrique presumably killing himself from grief. All three films offer interesting perspectives into the story of immigrating into America in a realistic way. Overall each film deconstructs the myth that America is a utopia, instead making the case that rather, America has its issues as …show more content…
A group of Indian’s, specifically the Sioux had started a practice known as ghost dancing. The ceremony was done with the belief that it would bring back the dead relatives of the tribe and help in leading to the white man’s perishing. Over time, the practice became popular, as “ghost dancing became the rage, seizing the Indian imagination and mobilizing frustration.” Out of fear, the United States government caught up with the dancers and began ordering them to give up their weapons. Suddenly, a weapon had gone off in the crowd of Indian’s, prompting the army to fire upon the crowd. Unarmed men, women, and children were killed in a matter of minutes. For those who survived “Wounded Knee violently symbolized the end of the frontier.” Though Native Americans are an integral story of North America, their history is often overlooked in favor of the European colonists who arrived in the continent. While their presence is always felt, I have never dedicated much time to the ongoing struggles of Native American’s, especially during the nineteenth and twentieth