Takaki, Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of “A Different Mirror” by Ronald Takaki discusses the great migration of Mexicans or Chicanos as they are referred to in this chapter. Takaki gives an account of the social, political and economic facts that were the push and pull factors of the Mexican migration to the United States. During the early 1900s in Mexico the conditions for Mexican peasants were very similar to that of the Irish around this same time period. Peasants lived in shacks or hut. They had no running water or electricity. Those who were fortunate enough to be employee in factory and other industrial jobs were paid low wages and worked in extremely bad conditions. Because of the major struggles that faced the Mexican people the Mexican Revolution took place in 1910. This revolution overthrew the government. There was much opposition and rivalry when political strife erupted between the new political leaders of the overthrown Mexican government. Mexico finally erupted in a civil war that lasted for years. The civil war in Mexico created even more hardships on the people. Many became refugees and sought safety across the boarder in the United States. The land provided opportunity and work at higher wages than what they had been paid in Mexico. Although there was safety and work in the U.S. most refugees planned on returning to Mexico once the civil war had ended. The war lasted for longer than most citizens thought and residing in America had become their only option. Takaki mentions another pull factor that resulted in so many Chicanos fleeing to the United States. He mentions the “Supreme Law of Necessity” which basically says that people will flee their homeland in order to find jobs that pay higher wages. Takaki has shown this factor to be true not only for the Mexican immigrants but also for the Chinese, Japanese, and the Irish. The combination of poor conditions in their country of origin and the prospect of work in America has throughout history led people to the U.S.
Another huge factor that helped bring Mexicans across the boarder was transportation. The Mexican International Railroad ran from the Mexican boarder to Texas. During this time of great Mexican migration an estimated one tenth of Mexico’s population migrated to the United States. The agricultural and text tile industry of the U.S. was in need for labors. Although not said to be as strong as the African American, labors preferred Mexican workers because of their obedience and willingness to work for such low wages. Things were not perfect for Mexicans once arriving upon American soil. Like other immigrants from different countries they too suffered discrimination, low wages, and other forms of human cruelty. They were often tricked into contracts that would keep them around working longer because of debt that they would have to pay off to their employer. It seems to me that during this time people believed in the American Dream. Yet were things really that much better when they arrived here in America and were treated so badly. It seems to me that throughout history the poor and suffering have always remained the poor and suffering, with the exception of only a few.