Throughout this semester, this class has taught me that Latinos have shaped the history of the United States in many ways that have been severely underappreciated or not widely talked about. From literature to the arts and more, Latinos have made an undeniable impact on the United States as a whole. This course has enabled me to share not just the unique aspects of being a Colombian-born American, but also learn more about the broader implications of Latino identity as a whole. Furthermore, I appreciate this class delving into the political nuances of immigration, citizenship, and revolution. Now more than ever the Latino community needs to be conscious of our turbulent history. Even if we’re not directly related to those who were involved in the Zoot Suit Riots or the Young Lords, their stories can still serve as inspiration for future Latinos who continue to organize themselves and lead others to build diverse political coalitions that convey to America that we can all, no matter what country we come from, can embrace an all-inclusive, cultural multiracial identity.
One of the most memorable things I will take away from this class was our one of very first discussions: what it means to be a citizen in the United States. From what I remember, we heavily discussed not just the moral implications of what it means to be a citizen, but the complicated history of Latino immigration to this country. From the “Wet/Foot/Dry Foot” rule (where Cubans who landed on U.S. soil got to stay) to the U.S. Naturalization Act hundred seventy-nine, where a two-year residency makes “white” persons, “of good moral character” eligible, this class has strengthened my passion to continue to fight for fair immigration policies that gives everyone an equal chance in the United States. Coming from an immigrant background, I firmly believe that people can make a difference no matter where they come from and that we should not discriminate against people who have something to offer to this country. In my eyes, what it means to belong to this country is to believe that you can create change too, no matter where you’re from.
In addition to our discussion, the debate that we had surrounding an “open-door” policy vs a “closed border” policy was something that I found to be one of the most engaging debates I’ve ever had in a non-debate setting. I think that Professor Castillo’s greatest lesson throughout this course was providing students an outlet to re-examine our beliefs on the policies coming out of our government. For instance, presenting our case to the room and the Cross-Examination between students was not only modeling how real-life debates go but also deeply challenging what students believe about immigration. Originally I was not surprised by the fact that a good majority of us wanted an “open-door” policy and an open approach with some restrictions, but I became surprised when some people moved to the closed border side as the debate went along. I think that demonstrates how our beliefs can change over time, and I want to showcase that in my future line of work as well.
Throughout this semester, I’ve delved into the captivating history of Latinos’ profound impact on the United States, the most memorable being the history of Zoot Suit Riots and the enduring legacy of the Young Lords in NYC. In addition to our lessons on what it means to be a citizen and immigrant to this country, learning about the Zoot Suit Riots revealed the struggles and resilience of a community against discrimination, echoing in the broader narrative of civil rights. Similarly, learning about the Young Lords in NYC provided a lens into the power of grassroots activism and its enduring influence on shaping American socio-political landscapes. The class not only allowed me to appreciate the cultural significance of these moments but also reinforced the importance of recognizing and celebrating what it means to be Latino in this country and the impact that we have had in this country and the impacts that will be spawned in the future.
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