El Norte

 

The United States is often termed a “melting pot” of different cultures and ethnicities (The term was popularized in the 1990s). The American Dream is depicted as individuals coming from all over the world and finding success in a nation of freedom. However, the melting pot is actually referring to assimilating into American culture and ideals and leaving the past culture behind. 

President Theodore Roosevelt said, “The men who do not become Americans and nothing else are hyphenated Americans; and there ought to be no room for them in this country. The man who calls himself an American citizen and who yet shows by his actions that he is primarily the citizen of a foreign land, plays a thoroughly mischievous part in the life of our body politic. He has no place here; and the sooner he returns to the land to which he feels his real heart-allegiance, the better it will be for every good American.”

Although the United States is a “country of immigrants”, those who do not assimilate or are “hyphenated Americans” face extreme difficulty. As discussed in the reading, Props 200, 203, and 106 target those who do not assimilate. By attacking language and immigration, those who do not fit the “ideal American” are disadvantaged. The film, El Norte, further emphasizes the difficulties that individuals face when trying to reach for the American Dream. Rosa and Enrique are examples of immigrants who had grand ideas of what life in America would be like, but it did not meet their expectations. There are an endless amount of obstacles for those that take the path of coming to the United States. There is the possibility of success and a better life for many immigrants, however, it is not as simple as advertised and promoted.