The Devil’s Highway explores the ideas of borders and
boundaries through a very real and present issue. The issue of illegal immigration is one that
affects thousands of individuals in the United States. I believe it is fair to say that it is one of
the most prominent examples of modern human division in the United States
today. Most Americans obviously see it from
a very American standpoint, thinking of how it affects American citizens,
rather than seeing the causes of the issue, or the perspective of the immigrant. The Devil’s Highway does show the perspective
of the immigrant, in a very raw and revealing manner. In doing this, it helps to explore both sides
of this created border. This removes the
idea of “us” and “them” that is so prominent in this issue, by depicting
characters that have very real, human struggles that everyone, regardless of
race or nationality, can relate to.
Every father can relate to a man trying to support his family. Every husband can see a bit of himself in a
man trying to build a home for his wife.
These are the characters depicted in The Devils Highway. They are men simply trying to do what is best
for those that they love. So where does
the issue lie? Are these not all individuals of the same species trying to
accomplish the same things?
The problem
emerges with the creation of borders, which divide people to see differences in
one another. There is the border of
race, between white Americans and Latino immigrants. The simple characteristic of skin tone leads
to a slew of racial separations. It is
the difference between whether or not you get your passport checked near the
border. This leads to issues of
nationality and citizenship. These are
some of the most prominent of issues in The Devils Highway. The book would be non-existent without these
borders. Because we created these ideas,
we created the separation of “us” and “them”.
We separate people by where they were born and decide that this makes
them fundamentally different than us, makes them unworthy of being where we
are. It causes the struggles of border
crossers, as they cannot simply enter America in hopes of a better life.
Obviously, there will be cultural differences
between countries. These are in part
shaped by class differences. Those of a
less economically stable country will live more modest lifestyles. They will perhaps live in more closely knit
family structures. They will be more
likely to do work that those of a more economically stable will not. These simple differences in lifestyle create
cultural differences which instill borders between people. Those from one side of a national border
believe those on the other side are different.
Humans find differences between individuals that are really quite
similar and use them to justify unfair treatment of these “different”
people. The Devils Highway reminds us
that though somebody may be different, may be separated by a border of race,
nationality, or citizenship, they are still human. They still desire to support their
family. They still hope for a better
life. They may have come from a
different place, but they are built of the same human characteristics,
instincts, and desires.
I like how you introduce the topic with talking about how the book is made relatable. It is really true that when you break down the things the immigrants went through, there are pieces that many people can relate to even if they did not immigrate themselves. I think the border of race is particularly interesting in this book. It's amazing to me what all comes along with skin tone. I like how you end the post with how the book is a bridge. It's good for us to remember that despite the borders that are built between people that we are all still human.
ReplyDeleteafter i read the first section of your post i wanted to critique it for not talking more about the benefits of immigration, but i continued reading and my criticism died away. instead of reasoning with logic you use emotions to win your audience. I am a strong believer in having a balance of rationalization and emotion. this post helped to balance out my logical approach to the issue. I often overlook the emotional side of the argument because i just want facts to argue with. it was refreshing to find that i relate more with the emotional part. this fits perfectly with the "us" and "them" theme of the posts.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting reflection. Too often, in America, we look at how American citizens are affected by incoming immigrants who cross the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Not often, if at all, does the media pause to take a look at how the border crossers are affected. Urrea’s book displayed the border issue through the eyes of those who are experiencing it directly, giving detail about what crossing the border is like and why people feel compelled to cross it. Like you had said, pertaining to culture, we fear differences which makes the majority, especially, persecute the minority.
ReplyDeleteYour post is very interesting. Your first paragraph really relates to what I try to tell people when it comes to immigration. Friends are usually the ones that I try to tell this too. A way to look at this is by asking a simple question, "what would you do if you were in the shoes of an immigrant?" I asked this to several of my friends and most of them replied by saying that they would do the same. In the end it comes down to our needs. And I think Urrea does a great job of bridging the two worlds by talking about immigration and what people leave behind. This is so relatable as you said.
ReplyDeleteYou do a good job in your first paragraph of showing how Urrea's writing helps readers to "cross the border" in imagination, by asking them to relate to characters who have similar loyalties (family) and needs (to support the family). In the second paragraph you mention race, but conflate it with nationality. Is it only white Americans who object to undocumented immigrants? Is it only Mexicans of color who cross the border without papers? This calls for some finer distinctions. I agree with you that it is our common humanity that Urrea attempts to show in this novel. I'd like to see more specific examples from the book to support this.
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