Duel Existence

Chapter 8 was full of real stories, real people and real situations (as the entire book does). Some had happy endings, many more were sad. It can best be described as people coming from different countries, walks of life, and cultures, trying to live together without learning (or wanting to learn) about each other. Mexicans are taught to be submissive and don’t like to compete. Their parents don’t encourage them academically or socially. They are expected to quit school and go to work to help support the family. These attitudes prevail among most immigrants and are not easily changed. One character explained this like of desire as “there’s a great leap they have to take themselves and many don’t.”

How can teachers help to dissolve the “duel existence?”
We can only be positive forces in their lives, offering continuous support and encouragement. Find a quality or talent that stands out and continuously feed them the desire to be better and to be proud of their accomplishments no matter how small or insignificant it might be. Learn their culture, it will help explain their actions and reasoning.

Our county has a community of Choctaw Indians that work and live here. Most of them live in a community/neighborhood with just Choctaw’s. They seem to have embraced our culture but have kept theirs intact. Our school invites them to perform their dances and rituals and some sell their jewelry/wares. The students love to watch and learn from them and as young children normally do, they see each other as equals. It is sad that as they grow older and are influenced in negative ways, that this feeling doesn’t remain for most of them. I have enjoyed our “Blog Text” and have learned greatly from it.

Betrayal and Abandonment

I view the life of Hector as a tragic loss. I see two lives in Chapter 6 on opposite sides of the peso! Two lives, one of failure and one of success. There is Fuentes and his quest for his dream. He took the resources that surrounded him to create his own musical world and culture. Fuentes was a self-taught man that strived to reach his goals on his own and bettered himself throughout his musical journey. He too had entered the world of music before it was seen as part of the cultural life and upper class. As he fulfilled his dream, Hector sat alone, wasting away, engulfed in bitterness and hate for Mexico. Hector had given his life to the music world with little recognition of his talent and profession. He had no support from his country, as he had been ahead of his time. His country was not ready to embrace the culture and prestige of the world of music/opera during his time and as he wasted away, the musical world entered. It had slowly surrounded him as he lived the lonely life of a deranged hermit and he was too blinded by bitterness and betrayal to see it.

The movement and success of the Atolingans’ in Chapter 7 was a story in itself. In their quest for a better life they had “discarded not only poverty but a way of thinking.” They left their country with a vision of success in the United States with all intent to return one day to display their ‘wealth.’ This mass exodus was soon an established community that still thrives today. Chon described it best as he looked back at his life. They had worked hard to achieve their goals, engulfed in the moment, but had spent all their energy thinking about returning and never to go back. Their way of thinking and living had changed for good-they were a different culture and people now.

Velvet Paintings

How ironic that I would be the owner of 2 velvet rug paintings! Not sure where they are at this moment, but maybe I could start the “velvet buzz” all over again! Doubtful! My husband brought them to me from his tour of duty in Spain with the Navy back in the late 70”s! I never thought much of them, and surely had no clue of the history behind them. After reading chapter 4, I was amazed at the deep history involved and the thousands of people who reaped the profits and fame from this art. The economic impact it had in so many countries such as Central America and Canada was shocking to say the least. Who would have thought they would end up in Hawaii and Alaska! The art of velvet painting was not controlled by the elites but by the law of supply and demand. “Economic outcasts found a refuge in both velvet and the border.” Velvet became the official fabric in the 1970’s with little information on how it originated. Velvet paintings “set the U.S.-Mexico border on a path to becoming an economic power and refuge for the poor.” A Union was even formed in their attempt to control the art’s quantity and quality, resulting in profits again. Price and quality soon dropped due to the large production and imitation pieces available. The work force involved made more money that they had ever imagined, only to drink and party their profits away, many dieing from this hard life. Scientology renewed the interest in the 1980’s only to be short lived again. Velvet paintings created an economic boom for many years and remnants of this art can still be found across the country including my attic!

The culture behind velvet paintings is vast. It stands for one of the most successful enterprises beginning with the economic and population boom in Juarez and spreading worldwide. How would I respond to an ELL who is ridiculed when he or she shares this family tradition within the school environment? It would be a great idea to create a thematic unit on the history of these paintings. Some students may have had ancestors that were involved and could share personal stories and may even have a painting to display. I have found that those who ridicule are lacking information and knowledge on the subject and can easily be influenced by real facts and real people.

Reading the introduction of the book was awesome in itself. Interesting facts on the continuous waves of immigrants coming into the U.S. lasting 60 + years and still growing! How they came to our country (most were illegal at first) to provide a better life for their families, sending home their hard earned wages. They saved to return home and build their "standing monuments" to show to all a poor man can achieve, only to be shunned and punished when they returned. This book appears to provide a realistic side to the issues of immigration and their "real" story.
My thoughts on the current state of immigration and suggestions for reform? I will admit I tend to shy away from politics and all that, but my husband loves all that 'stuff' and keeps me informed on issues- as much as I can pay attention! The United States of America is only one part of this vast universe and should be available to all who wish to live here. I do think certain restrictions and laws should be in place to allow organization and consistency. With a new president and administration, reform is on the horizon and being discussed and planned this very minute. Having bills/policy in place to help farms and other businesses meet their labor needs while protecting the fundamental rights of immigrants already in the US. It would ensure a future flow of immigrant workers to meet these labor needs. Legalizing undocumented immigrants will boost the economy through better wages and working conditions for ALL workers. Many do not know that according to one news source, eight million undocumented immigrants pay social security, medicare and income taxes! Provide the opportunity to become US citizens and contribute in productive ways.

Entering the World of ESL

Well, here I am! I made it this far in my very first attempt at blogging! A bit strange, but looks like I will be learning again!
I am the Curriculum Coordinator at a PreK-2 school. I just completed my 17th year as CC and have 15 years of teaching in the classroom. This is my last course in completing the Graduate Certificate of Dyslexic Studies, a two year endeavor I have enjoyed and learned so much to help me in my job.
I know you all are wondering why "bikerdeb?" Long story short, a few years ago in going through our SACS reaccreditation, I rode a motorcycle (passenger) into the high school theater while we presented our "60's Style" SACS presentation during the end of year inservice day. Since that moment, I ended up learning to ride and have a 1992 Harley 1200 Sportster. My husband and I love to take road trips to get away. So that's my story!