This document discusses Hispanic culture in the United States. It notes that there are many Hispanic cultures beyond just Mexican culture. Hispanics come from various countries in Central and South America as well as Spain. The document discusses the movie "A Day Without Mexicans" and how it illustrates that culture is more than just race or skin color. It argues that Hispanics immigrate for better opportunities and take jobs that other groups are unwilling to. The document claims that without Hispanic labor the US would not be as successful and asserts that looser immigration policies could help address illegal border crossings. It acknowledges American pride in the English language but notes the growing Spanish-speaking population.

1. Megan McGehee
Mr. Blanco
First Year Seminar
6/25/2014
A Day Without Mexicans
Each country has its own unique culture even though they may speak the same language.
For example, parts of Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and Australia all speak English,
but yet they are all known to have their own unique cultures. There are so many different
Hispanic cultures here in the United States, but most of the time we don’t stop to think about
that. Many Americans make the mistake of assuming all Hispanics and Latinos are Mexicans.
That certainly is not the case here as Hispanics and Latinos from many countries make up a
growing percentage of our United States population. Many Hispanics come from Central
America, the Caribbean Islands, and European Spanish-speaking countries.
Hispanics are representative of many races too. You can’t judge someone based solely
on the color of their skin. You can’t just assume what race they are until you know their story.
Culture is more than just a color or race, it is an identity. In the movie, A Day Without
Mexicans, they made this point with the character Lela who was raised as a Mexican-America,
but actually as an Armenian-American. She represents this point by saying she has the heart of a
Mexican and then disappears along with the others.
Hispanics come into this country in hope for a better life not just for themselves but for
their families as well; just like all non-Hispanic immigrants. American culture is the great
melting pot. Most Americans feel that Hispanics are less educated and are willing to take jobs
that most Americans will not take or feel that are beneath them. Some of the jobs that Hispanics
hold are construction, dishwasher, cook or chef, waitress, nanny, or housekeeper and maids,
migrant workers in the fields or other agricultural areas such as landscaping. Without Hispanics
in these capacities we would not be where and what we are as a nation today. I wish that more
Americans had this work ethic ingrained in their culture; instead of being content to accept
entitlements versus taking whatever job was available, showing pride in their work, and willing
to work their way up.
Many assume that the growing illegal immigrant populations are all Mexicans crossing
the border. Recent events in the news show that although a lot of the illegal border crossings
occur along the border with Mexico, the massive numbers of unaccompanied minor children
crossing recently are from Central America. They take many risks and pay money to others to
make their journey here. If appropriate channels for legal immigration were timelier and less
expensive, these same people could legally become tax-paying citizens.
I feel that if you go to a foreign country you should be able to speak and understand the
native language. Most Americans feel threatened or upset with the growing Spanish population
because they feel that one day we will not be speaking English any more. This goes back to
when America was founded as a British Colony. Americans take pride in speaking English and
don’t want to let that go away.