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From the view of the outside, Mexico is portrayed as a violent place filled with crime and powerful gangs. People talk about how Mexico is unsafe for tourists due to the high rate of kidnapping, purse-snatching, and drug use. Only the cleanest, prettiest cities ever get any recognition. When looking at news articles written by Mexicans, a completely different story is revealed. Even the most rural of cities has its own unique trade or product that is made by hand. Art and creations that trace back to Mexico’s roots can be found in embroidery, architecture, and so many more diverse forms of expression. Mexicans are generous and hardworking, and when people on the outside care to look past the headline that shocks them the most, they’ll finally be able to find joy in a truly amazing community.

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“‘You know perfectly well that being the youngest daughter means you have to take care of me until the day I die.’” (Esquivel 10)

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“‘You know perfectly well that being the youngest daughter means you have to take care of me until the day I die.’” (Esquivel 10)

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Analysis: If someone were to only read Esquivel’s book, they would come to the conclusion that Mexican families oppress their daughters, and treat them like possessions to be kept, bought, or sold. The quote above comes from Tita’s mother telling her that she can’t marry her true love, Pedro, because she has to stay on the farm and take care of her mother. After her mother allows Pedro to marry her sister, Tita becomes heartbroken. In reality, this level of oppression is extreme, but the theme of daughters being the ones to take care of the family isn’t that uncommon. Under the magical food and true love, certain aspects of this novel can be seen in Mexico, albeit to a much lesser degree.

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“The Time I Realized I Wasn’t White” by María Cristina Hall

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“The Time I Realized I Wasn’t White” by María Cristina Hall

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Analysis: In María Cristina Hall’s poem “The Time I Realized I Wasn’t White”, the author builds an identity by sharing anecdotes of her life that show the struggle between accepting accepting your culture and shunning it. Another idea explored through the repetition of the lines “the time I felt most white…” and “the time I felt least white…”, is of trying to fit into more than one community and not being fully accepted into either.

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I think the serious expression of the farmer and the happy people behind him signify that agriculture is a big part of the Mexican community and how they’re seen by the US. Without crops that come from Mexico, we wouldn’t have a lot of the fruit and vegetables that are available so readily in grocery stores and markets. The clear, blue sky and the Mexican flag waving in the background show a healthy, strong people who are ready to put in hard work and get good results.

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Though many Latin American countries have faced hardships in the past through the economy and the government, they are moving into a time today where tourism is booming and presidents are more than ever determined to make good decisions for the benefit of their people. The economy is recovering, and poverty is being slowly reduced among the slums of many countries in Latin America.