America Immigration

Not everyone in America views people from Mexico and Pan America as our little brown brothers to the south. With a deep culture and a rich heritage older than our own these people have much to be proud of. Economically and politically they are suffering behind the eight ball of progress but as in any country life goes on there.

This writer has family in Mexico and because of that I have had the good fortune of spending a lot of time in Old Mexico. The details are too much for this article but I will at the very least relate one single impression I had the first time I spent real time in the neighborhoods of Acapulco.

My first impressions as I viewed the small houses and open air markets were probably similar to every other American before me. I thought of only how poor theses people are and how hard life must be for them. In a short time I changed my opinion. I watched as families clung close to each other and neighborhoods would band together closely to protect each other. There were simple peddlers carrying fish and cold gelatins around and children playing together with laughter. They worked hard and ate together at the same table. Respect was given to the elderly and heads of households whether male or female. Fiestas and much celebration were attended by large crowds and participation was hearty and genuine. Dancing, conversation and great food was enjoyed and a neighborhood seemed more like a family than a mere community of citizens. Who could find fault with this and why should we care if they don’t have a lot of money? Apparently it could not keep them from enjoying something we in America may have long since had a while but lost.

I was graced with my time in Mexico long before I had the pleasure of seeing the acclaimed movie, El Norte. This Pan American production was released in 1983 and will soon re-debut thru the DVD medium for those who may have missed it. Only three or four movies I have seen in my lifetime would I consider as “an experience” and not just a movie, El Norte is one of them.

El Norte (The North) is a grand drama produced by Gregory Nava in Pan America. It is considered the hands down best movie ever produced in Central America. It is also considered the best movie to “put faces” on the otherwise invisible people who pick our crops, clean our houses and care for our children. The immigrants of South and Central America and those of Mexico are not only depicted accurately in this film but they could learn from it as well. It is my opinion that if all would be immigrants were able to see this film before they dashed off to America that many of them would lay down the idea of getting here altogether.

The film is fictional but has a reality to it that cannot be contended. It is similar to the experiences of countless Latinos who enter this country illegally and legally. Its impact did not go unnoticed by the National Film Registry where it was selected by the Library of Congress in 1995. It was also nominated for an Oscar and won several other prestigious awards along its glowing path.

The plot of El Norte is based on the travels of a young brother and sister team who endeavor to overcome every obstacle set before them to immigrate (illegally) to the United States. The two siblings come from a Central American village of Mayan Indians. Their life there was simple and they were poor but all they ever loved was also there. They want to come to America and try along with others of their kind to overcome the idea of being no more than “brazos fuertes” (strong arms) that make up the grunt workforce for rich Americans.

Driven by the dream of a place were opportunity abounds and equality reigns they cross hundreds of miles of open desserts and long dreary roads in Mexico. They are robbed, raped, tricked, swindled and lied to but pass on undaunted still reaching for their dreams. With nothing left to lose they make the final crossing into the land into America by crawling on hands and knees for miles through a sewer duct from Mexico to San Diego. They are bitten by rats, exhausted and near to death when they emerge to the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The contacts and the promises that they expected to be there for them have dissolved and they battle to find some means of survival. In time they both find housing and meager employment as domestics but the battle has just begun. The heart wrenching struggle they encounter is not just about making money but it is about making impossible adjustments to a culture not only foreign to them but completely undesirable.

They are pulled by druggers to touch and taste and demeaned by employers that work them hard for pittances. They see Americans in a great a race to gain everything but who seem to appreciate nothing. Add to this that one of the siblings’ contracts a disease from the rat bites they incurred while crossing into San Diego and eventually dies.

Before the bitter end the film depicts what would be the mental dreams, visions and remembrances of their native village and their Mayan cultural upbringing. It is impossible not to feel the longing to return to their simpler and more meaningful life. Now it is harder to return than it was to make the first journey…fade to black.

As an American who loves his country this film stood as an indictment against our shallowness and preoccupation with everything that is ersatz and meaningless. I could never argue with the great principles this nation was founded upon but this movie only served to remind me that we are a long way from the founding principles today.

Although the present issue of immigration in this country cannot be ignored this film reminds us that there is an untold side to the issue. If the hearts of all the immigrants could be searched and weighed I’m sure we would find that a great deal of their contents would be disappointment, disillusionment and sorrow.

The lesson here is that it is not just our borders that need to be protected in a reasonable and rational manner but it is our hearts as well. Would be immigrants may want to consider that economic advantage is not all there is to life. Americans may want to remember that there was a time when that was not all there was to our lives.

Far be it for a man of God not to appendage a good didactic endeavor without making an allusion to the scriptures. This is the one that comes to mind. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

Rev Bresciani is the author of two highly regarded Christian books. An American Prophet and His Message is thought to be the clearest treatment of the second coming of Christ in this decade. It is published by Xulon Press. Rev Bresciani has hundredsof articles on many subjects published both online and in print. Please visit the website at www.americanprophet.org

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Celebrity Gossip – Good Or Bad?
People know more about Paris Hilton, than they do President Bush. Celebrities are always in the news for a variety of different reasons. They might be getting drunk, and making a fool out of themselves (Mel Gibson), or getting a divorce (Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro), or almost dropping their baby in the street (Britney Spears). Whatever they are doing, we are all tuned to watch, and listen to the celebrity gossip.

Most of the time the only celebrity gossip that appears on television concerns something bad that has happened, or some mistake a celebrity has made. The public likes to watch figures in the spotlight fall on their face, because it brings them back down to earth with the rest of us. Also it seems that we like to give air time to celebrities so they can complain about the way the government is being run. We can setup a large forum to let celebrities speak about how the war in Iraq is wrong, but we can not take five minutes to tell the soldiers that are fighting there how much we appreciate them for what they are doing. I would like to help change the view about celebrities and write about some celebrity gossip of a different flavor.

Towards the beginning of the war in Iraq, Densel Washington made a trip to a hospital in Fort Sam Houston, Texas to see some of the injured soldiers. While he was there he saw that the hospital was crowded and the doctors there needed more supplies. Densel told the soldiers at the hospital that help would be on the way. About six months later, he gave a sizable donation to the Fisher House Foundation Inc., which helps families of hospitalized military personnel. I never heard any gossip about this on the celebrity news channels. The only time I heard about this great act of generosity was in an email from someone else that was trying to spread the good word. I think we would all feel a little bit better about celebrities if the celebrity gossip shows would try to report on more uplifting stories like this one.

Decide for yourself! Check out the celebrity gossip forum.

What is a Bluetooth Earpiece
Blue Tooth is unplugging the world, one device at a time. The global technology uses radio waves to connect devices (within a short range) without any cords or cables. One of the most amazing features of Blue Tooth is its ability to link devices that you may not otherwise think would have any compatible features at all. Many major companies are manufacturing products that include Blue Tooth capabilities. Some of these companies include Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Intel, and Nokia. When you attach a Blue Tooth USB adapter to your computer, all of your peripheral equipment becomes connected. This is an incredible way to become wireless, use more of your devices, and save money running your own network.

The range of devices that are Blue Tooth enabled are vast, including mobile phones, PDAs, desktop and notebook computers, printers, and digital cameras. By using special Blue Tooth enabled devices such as an earpiece you can even listen to your mp3 files while wireless.

There are so many innovative ways to use Blue Tooth technology and it seems that we can only expect this technology to advance. It is very cost effective, since many products are pre installed with Blue Tooth. For the simple cost of the adapter, you can run your own network virtually free of any additional charges. However, if you were going to use a Blue Tooth earpiece for the sake of speaking over a mobile phone you would naturally incur cell phone charges.

As wireless technology continues to spread, more mainstream providers of services are turning their attentions to Blue Tooth. For example, Verizon Wireless has now released a headset designed by Logitech that fits snugly over the ear. This makes for instant hands free telephone conversations as well as a great way to enjoy listening to some of your favorite tunes.

By incorporating Blue Tooth in your work office, home office, or entertainment you will derive the most benefits from your applications and devices. It is relatively simple to install Blue Tooth in your computer and create your own network. When watching the latest technological trends, it is apparent that people want simple solutions for their workstations and by eliminating cords and wires and giving people the freedom to stay networked while wireless has amazing benefits. Keeping an eye on Blue Tooth and its applications will allow you to stay up to date with the current technological advances and products.

Find out more about Bluetooth PDA at discoverbluetooth.com - imagine a world without wires

Marketing a new business without a big budget
Anyone who has started a business without a lot of start-up capital has faced a vicious catch 22. You have to market your company in order to increase sales, but until sales have increased (and you've received payment) you can't afford to market your business. Fortunately, you've got more options than you realize, after all, more than a few other businesses have gotten past this hurdle. So can you.

First of all, don't advertise in the newspapers, on television or the radio because it can take considerable time to see results from these mediums and at this stage of your business, your budget will likely be gone long before you see them.

One powerful way that a business with a small marketing budget can gain exposure is by innovative marketing company that specializes in guerilla marketing techniques to help smaller companies compete with larger companies and win.

No Fun Na.
Not so long ago I wrote about the Da Vinci Code causing a big stink here in India. That bubble has just about burst and lo behold we have another film causing a stir. The film Fanaa (Destruction) has got the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in Gujarat in a twist. Well it’s not exactly a problem with the film but with its main actor Aamir Khan.

You see Aamir Khan has recently had a stint at being a social activist. He made the mistake of speaking his mind in the world’s largest democracy. It all began with people protesting against raising the height of the Narmada Dam which we in India supposedly need to meet our insatiable demand for energy particularly in this case – electricity. The protestors are demanding proper rehabilitation for the thousands of people that have been displaced because of this mammoth project. Aamir Khan joined in to give their demands a louder voice. That did it.

The right wing ruling Hindu party in Gujarat the BJP has banned all products endorsed by the actor including Coca Cola and Toyota cars and also his latest film release Fanaa. This does not in anyway represent the will of the general public in the state nor does it make much sense. The movie was released a few days ago in the rest of the country and has got a good response.

When will our political parties realize that the people no longer get excited about these frenzied agitations, which lack any real depth and are done just for show. The losers in this case are only the people of Gujarat. They need to realize that speaking one’s mind on any issue facing the people of India is the fundamental right of every citizen of the country. We cannot censure people in society just because we don’t like what they say.

Fanaa is about the relationship between a blind girl and an undercover terrorist. It has nothing against the state or people of Gujarat. Why then should it be banned? It is mainstream cinema that will do well or not on its own strengths as a film. This entire furor is hype generated by two bit politicians mainly for their fifteen minutes of fame.

For all thosehot heads seeking a ban on an actor or any person for that matter, who uses his or her freedom of speech in our country today, may we remind them that maybe they are living in the wrong part of the world here. I would suggest mass migration to a much cooler locale say for instance North Korea.

Sasha Masand the founder of Indian Voice Overs is an award winning Television Producer who has been part of the Indian media industry for over twelve years.