JE#5 How Borderland History Repeats Itself

I found the article on Arizona to be very interesting for many reasons.  In the video, the forensic anthropologist makes a great point in which there are jobs that need to be filled that Americans don’t want to do.  Those who are willing to do it (i.e. the Mexicans) are risking their lives to do these low-waged jobs.  I completely agree with that idea, but I think one important concept that also needs to be brought up is the fact that many Mexicans are struggling to make it in their own country.  Alcala’s novel is a great example of that and Concha’s character perfectly describes the pain and struggles some go through not even by choice to get to a better life.  In pages 37-38 we see that Concha’s mom is sending her and her sisters north because where the mother is going is too dangerous.  Yet as we read on through the same chapter, we can see that the journey north is not really any safer as they have no food, no protection from storms, no clean water, etc.  I believe this journey is very similar to those occurring on the border of Arizona and Mexico.  Another good point made in the article is that although immigration reform has tightened up, there are still deaths occurring in high numbers.  Concha might have been lucky enough to make it through, but many immigrants even today have not been so lucky.  Yes, this is not necessarily an American problem, but I think what makes this situation unique is the fact that many Mexicans were displaced of their land, they are not simply just migrating for a “better life” but many are migrating just to be with their families on the other side.  It is just so heartbreaking to see that this part of the problem often goes overlooked.