Immigration & Transnationality

Transnationality

Photo captured at Bruce Guadalupe Elementary School, Milwaukee, WI.

From the mural I feature in this photograph, I want to emphasize elements of Puerto Rican music, dance, and architecture. It may not be very noticeable, but among the elements I can highlight are the congas (key instrument in salsa), the women with long skirts typical of the Puerto Rican bomba dance, and the structure of the El Morro fort (on the far right of this photograph), which is located in El Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico. In short, this photograph highlights how aesthetics can create bridges between (Puerto Rican) communities living transnationalism in the diaspora.

Photo captured at S. 35th St. (near WI-59).

This photo shows two Puerto Rican national symbols: the coqui and the Puerto Rican flag. What intrigues me about the photograph is that it reminds me of the first time I saw these national symbols in Milwaukee. My wife and I were arriving in Milwaukee for the first time after living in Portland, Oregon for a year. Just identifying these national symbols was an encouragement to feel at home in a familiar place. The smiles and conversations these symbols provoked in us overcame the unattractiveness and unvisuality of this image.

Photo captured at Greenfield & S. 6th St.

This image represents the play between the private and the public. It is private because the mural seems to have been painted for the barbershop where it is located. But it is also public because the mural is made for all to see. In addition to the name of the barber, "Joel Acevedo," the mural has the phrases "United we stand" and "Unidos estamos." The mural highlights the city of Milwaukee along with a fist painted with the Puerto Rican flag. The entire mural represents transnationalism as it demonstrates the unity that exists between Puerto Ricans in Milwaukee and what is happening in Puerto Rico. The message "United we stand" shows that unity and solidarity is possible in the distance. Whether it is because of the pandemic, the hurricanes or the economic and political crisis in Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans in Milwaukee can see this mural and remember in solidarity and lovingly remember how Puerto Rico and Milwaukee are united by their people.

Photo captured at Bruce Guadalupe Elementary School, Milwaukee, WI:

This image combines elements of work, music, and the Puerto Rican migration to the United States. Among the elements I can highlight are the men playing bomba or some kind of parranda (typical Christmas music) and the woman dancing on the Puerto Rican flag. Also, there is the jíbaro (peasant man) collecting sugar cane and two men working the land. The land they work is Puerto Rico, which is represented by the green area. Finally, the mural represents the great emigration of Puerto Ricans to the United States (1945-1965). This last event has been one of the most transcendental phenomena in the history of Puerto Rico, since it caused nearly 700,000 Puerto Ricans to leave the archipelago to settle in the United States.

Photo captured at S. 1st St. & E. Mitchell St.

This image shows a mural where elements of different nationalities and historical figures are highlighted by their social activism in favor of justice and the common good. This photo highlights the map of Puerto Rico with palms representing the beaches and two Puerto Rican political figures, Lolita Lebrón and Pedro Albizu Campos. Both political figures stood out for repudiating U.S. colonialism in Puerto Rico and the creation of the Estado Libre Asociado (Commonwealth). Finally, it is worth noting that both political figures understood their struggle for the liberation of Puerto Rico in a transnational way, since both had stages in their lives where they fought for Puerto Rico from the diaspora.

Immigration

Photo of the “Mural of Peace” taken outside Esperanza Unida: 611 West National Avenue, Milwaukee

This mural feels like a representation of what policy should be like. A symphony of peace and justice. An opportunity for all people alike. The country states to be “the land of the free”, however for undocumented immigrants, freedom is not quite a reality. The “American Dream” is referred to as an opportunity for immigrants to come to the United States, a place that likely has far better conditions and more opportunities than in their home country. The Dove and the olive branch symbolize peace and purity. The question is, how peacefully can someone live while in constant fear that their family could be torn apart at any moment?

Art Spiegelman's "A Warm Welcome," 2015

This piece of art by Art Spiegelman's, demonstrates the feelings an immigrant individual likely feels when arriving in the United States. There still exists a discriminatory group of people with strong sentiments toward immigration. Individuals come to the country hoping to provide better support for the families, and while doing so, they face backlash and resentment from people and from policy as well. Numerous details within the painting portray the backlash and "anti" immigrant sentiment people battle against when arriving. Compared to the image on the left of the “Mural of Peace”, theory and reality are contradictory.

Photo of “Si se puede!” Mural taken outside Rivera’s Western Wear: 1002 S Cesar Chavez Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Through the immense struggles, the community remains strong. Although it has been an endless effort, with politicians and policies meant targeted toward them, persistence remains.

César Chávez was a folk hero and symbol of hope to millions of Mexican-Americans. In 1962, he and a few others set out to organize a union of farm workers. Nearly everyone told them it was impossible. For a time they succeeded far beyond what everyone expected. An advocate of nonviolence, Cesar Chávez was one of the most inspirational labor leaders of the 20th century, with an influence that stretched beyond the California fields. The words “Si se puede!” have been chanted since Chavez lead immigrant activist groups in the 60s and 70s, and continue to be chanted in protests today, “Yes, we can.”

Immigration

Luciano Family

Hecnan and Johanna immigrated from Puerto Rico. The hardest obstacle for them was speaking english. Things like going to a grocery store, a bank, and work, were more difficult for them because they didn't have the tools to effectively communicate. Furthermore, transportation proved to be a huge obstacle as well. They emphasized that many years ago ubers weren't a thing, and they had to rely on public bus routes (all in english) to get around the city of Milwaukee. Lastly, the cold weather also affected them. They came from a very hot and humid island, to the harsh and cold winters. The change in climate affected their mental health at times, as being inside for many months was something they were not used to. They highlight that the way of living in the U.S was definitely different but now they consider it a blessing.

Guio Family

In the pink is seen Deisy (the mother). She says that when immigrating from Colombia, the language barrier was the hardest part. Her mental health became greatly affected and she started suffering from social anxiety whenever she would go out. This family also felt very lonely and missed their parents and siblings back in their home country. Furthermore, finding steady, well paid jobs, proved to be difficult because of their immigration status. There was a lot of uncertainty in their lives for the first few years. What hurts them now the most is the fact that they cannot travel, or have the chance to visit their families. They haven't seen their family back in Colombia in 10 years. However, Alex (the father in blue) has now secured a realible landscaping job, and Deisy babysits from home. They send money to their family back home.

Leon Family

To the far left is seen Oscar (the father). It was hard for him to learn a new language coming to the U.S, and finding a job. In Mexico he was a server at a restaurant, but he did not have the language to do that here. For Emilio (sibling in the middle), the unstability within the home was the hardest. Rent prices would always be rising, so they had to constantly be moving to a new home. This meant they would constantly be changing schools as well. For Maria (sibling to the right), the hardest part of coming to the U.S was having no friends. Furthermore, she vividly remembers having to make a closet her little room and sleeping on the floor, because the house they lived in was too small.

Oscar and Emilio are now making a living working in landscaping, and have mastered the english language. Maria now has more stability and a group of friends she can rely on.

Alejandrina

She immigrated from Peru a couple years ago hoping to find a new start to her life. She came to the U.S fleeing her abusive husband, and the lack of real economical opportunities in her home country . She highlights that although her life is better here, she lives in constant fear when it comes to basic things such as driving, due to her immigration status.

Andres

He came from Mexico a couple years ago. He considers himself blessed, because he came to live with one of his brothers. However, his frustration arises from the fact that he can't communicate the way he wants to with his coworkers and employers. Furthermore, he has to go to work everyday in a borrowed car. He sends money to his family in Mexico on a monthly basis. He says he misses his kids a lot, but wants to give them a better life.

Aracely

She highlights crossing the river was the hardest part about coming to the U.S from Mexico. She almost drowned and was separated from her parents and youngest brother. She didn't know loneliness until she moved here. She says at the beginning she suffered from a lot of racism and discrimination, and did not understand why she would be rejected simply because of what she looked like.

Daniel

He came from Venezuela when he was 12 years old. He said the hardest part about coming to the U.S was helping his parents navigate everyday errands, such as going to the bank and speaking to their immigration lawyer. He had adult responsibilities at such a young age, and was figuring his new family's life out. He said he even had to call his own schools to enroll himself in.

Art Vase

Side 1

Side 2

Side 3

I wanted to create an art piece that embodied part of the topic of immigration in the United States. I resorted to painting a vase, and put lego flowers in it. The pictures that are found on all three sides of the vase are only some of the inventions that have been brought to the United States by immigrants. Side 1 has the popular google search engine that we all use, delicious donuts, and the first telephone. Side 2 has the sport of basketball, videogames, and jeans (which have become a staple of our current society's fashion). Lastly, side 3 includes the hamburger, the company of Tesla, and the blow dryer. I tried to paint things that we all know and are usually exposed to here in this country. I wanted to include these inventions as a way to raise awareness about immigrants, and how important they truly are in our society. While the vase represents the United States as a whole and the paintings show only some of the additions this group of people have had in this country, the lego flowers represent the immigrants themselves. I chose the lego flowers because they are objects that can have things added to them, and also things taken away from them (flexible). The additions represent all the things they do in the United States such as all the jobs they fulfill that nobody wants to work, the great culinary addition, and so many inventions that contribute greatly to this country. However, legos are easily removable as well. Immigrants have had to adapt to this country and in a way, have lost part of their identity in the process. Sometimes peace is lost when the fear of driving takes over, sometimes they have to put their native language to the side since it does not predominate in their new country, sometimes part of their dignitity is lost when indivuals treat them discriminatorily, and sometimes, they have to change the way their name is pronounced since nobody tries hard enough to say it correctly. There are so many things that they add to the United States, yet so many parts of them that are also affected. This piece of art simply aims to raise awareness about this issue, and try to make them feel seen and heard. It also aims to help people appreciate their contribution to our society, and understand that so many of the things we have and use now, are a result of these brilliant individuals.

By: Estéfani Muñoz

Unnamed painting by teenager Myisha Arellanus

This piece of art by Myisha Arellanus, is what it feels like to be a U.S born child of undocumented immigrants. On the deeper end of the immigration iceberg, are the children. They fight the battle alongside their parents. Children of undocumented individuals is something that is not talked about a lot. Is it fair for these children to feel and witness their parents' exasperation and restrictions as citizens. These children experience trauma as they are indubitably affected by their parents' circumstances: What is it like to have the same fear as their parents, to be afraid that one day someone will knock on your door and your parents will be taken away?

There is also stress, tension and anxiety for those that see their parents struggle and wish to become a solution: what does it feel like to carry your parent’s future on your shoulders?

This is what it feels like to be an American child of undocumented immigrants.

The Everyday Struggles of an Immigrant

By: Joshua Mejias-Riquelme

Depression and Anxiety

Immigrating to another country is a very hard mentally demanding process which can more often than not lead to the development and amplification of various mental health problems like anxiety and anxiety. For most immigrants, seeking help is often not an option due to lack of resource accessibility and social support. Experiencing a constant negative social context and lack of social adaptability can only exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety, which can ultimately lead to suicidal ideation and the development of more complex ailments like major depressive disorder.

Discrimination

For many immigrants, discrimination is a part of their everyday experiences and can usually occur both covertly and overtly. Immigrants often experience discrimination through prejudice and different forms of physical and verbal aggressions. Discrimination lowers immigrants' motivation, efficiency, and desire to take advantage of potential life changing opportunities that are available to them in the new country.

Financial Hardships

Since many immigrants lack the connections, references, pertinent experiences, or official government credentials necessary to obtain a position of employment, even finding part-time work is difficult. Moreover, even if they are fortunate enough to get a job, the number of hours they work and pay may not be sufficient to cover the costs associated with living in more affluent nations like the United States. This is even more prevalent for immigrants who have intentions of pursuing a higher education since they often face higher tuition costs and have no access to government funded aid.

Homesickness

When moving to a new country, immigrants frequently become homesick. This is largely due to the fact that they must adjust to a completely new environment and are left to deal with the emotional distress of being separated from their community and family members all by themselves. Furthermore, in the new environment, immigrants must often meet a lot of new people from a different culture, learn different social norms, and embrace new social values in a short period of time.

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