1. Read pages 23-63 of Paola Ramos’ travelogue “A Journey From the West to the Southwest.”
2. In the comment section down below answer ONE of the following prompts (25o-word minimum).
Deadline: 2/22 before the class
OPTION ONE
What Paola Ramos denounces in “The Heartland” regarding the ecological, health, and gender-based violence issues plaguing Latinx agricultural communities in California? Why she then connects the crystal meth epidemic to the previously described issues?
OPTION TWO
Explain the title of the chapter “Shining Light” and its relationship to the rights and resilience of Latinx trans lives.
OPTION THREE
Following the chapter “American,” elaborate on how thinking of Guatemalan and Central American migration from an indigenous point of view requires that we decenter the Spanish language and Hispanic culture as a frame to understand the experiences of Central American migrants and the notion of “America” as a whole.
OPTION THREE
Guatemalan and Central American migration are integral to the immigration stories of the United States. Thousands of Mayan people journey through mountains and Mexico to reach the Arizona border. Though the indigenous population in detainment centers is much more than a handful, ICE doesn’t have translators for their native languages. This causes communication issues between the migrants and border patrol officers. Many don’t get the treatment they need to survive detainment. It alienates them from the start of their journey in America. To fully understand what immigrants from Central America experience, Americans must expand their knowledge of who is immigrating, the terror they go through not knowing a single word of English, and how much they overcome.
Option One
Paola Ramos denounces the exploitation and ecological damage done towards the undocumented Latino farmworkers by large farming and oil industries. Ramos interviews Latino people who lived near the farmlands that used highly toxic pesticide on their crops. These pesticides would blow over to towns that people lived in, and they would be exposed to long term physical and mental health problems. Ramos also documents the female Latina farmworkers who are undocumented and extremely vulnerable to sexual assault. These female farmworkers are unable to report instances of sexual assault and abuse due to the fear of losing their job or being deported. Poverty keeps these people in a cycle of exploitation, which then leads to many of them using drugs like meth and heroin to cope. Ramos connects the meth epidemic to these previous issues in order to show how these farmworkers are victims trying to cope with an extremely cruel system that does not value their lives, or the lives of their families.
Option 2:
In my interpretation, the title of the chapter “Shining Light” has two meanings, the light is something that Latine trans women are not afforded by society, yet it’s also something that they forced to become. Author Paola Ramos states “there are two types of people in this world: those who need light to build resilience, and those who can do so in utter darkness.” Trans women are rejected by essentially every facet of our society, often extremely violently, and yet they persevere and go through experiences that force them to become their own shining light, so that they could live as their truest selves. They have no ‘set path’ to follow because society has deliberately erased and excluded them, and so they have to clear the way themselves and declare that they exist, they are real, and they are here to stay. They are not afforded the right to simply be a regular person in everyday society and are forced to be resilient, often having to make incredibly difficult decisions, like Karolina fleeing to the US by herself at age 13 in hopes of finding tolerance north of the border. Instead she was met with the same virulent transphobia that she experienced in CDMX. All of these experiences in the “blinding darkness” made her become a shining light for herself, and at the end of the tunnel for other young queer and trans latines.
**To correct/add onto a statement I made in my previous post**
*mention of murder and suicide*
By making the claim that “Trans women… persevere and go through experiences that force them to become their own shining light, so that they could live as their truest selves,” it sort of obfuscates the reality of the situation. It was an idealistic statement that didn’t take into full account that it’s not uncommon for the very opposite to happen. While it is true that many trans women are forced to persevere and become a shining light in the face of hate, to make that broad sweeping claim without specifying contributes to the erasure of the stories of so many trans women who weren’t able to persevere, who were killed, who committed suicide, who gave into despair, who were forced to remain closeted for their survival. Paola Ramos mentions in the reading that “It’s rare for transgender women to make it past the age of 35. It’s easier to become a statistic than to live freely.”
Option One:
In the chapter “ Heartland,” Paolo Ramos discusses the exploitation done by large farming and the oil industry on undocumented latino farmworkers. In the reading we get accounts from the latino people who live on and near the farmland, on issues that affect all of them and they also discuss issues that affect the women in the community. A major issue is that female latina farmworkers are very vulnerable to being sexually assaulted and harassed , and because many of these women are undocumented they are afraid and fearful that if they do report the assault they could lose their job and be deported back to their home countries. Ramos gives that fact that “Campesinas are ten times more vulnerable to sexual assault and harresment at work.” Another issue that they bring up are the pesticides that are used on the crops, which are toxic and harmful to people who breathe them in for a long period of time. Many of the pesticides that are used move with the wind and that becomes very serious to the people who have to breathe that air in on a regular basis. There are set times that the farms are allowed to spray the pesticides but because of the schedule of many of the workers, they have to send their kids off to school with the pesticides being sprayed right near them.
Option 1:
Paola Ramos denounces the harsh realities Latinx farmworkers face in California, specifically the Central Valley. I am originally from Southern California, so this essay engaged me and was relatable. I do not have any family members who have worked in the California fields but have gone through the Central Valley and from first-hand experience I know what these small towns look like. Paola Ramos interviews people that share their experiences about their agricultural communities. Ramos interviews a woman named Byanka and she explains her story. She goes into detail about how both of her parents work in the fields and she was eight years old when they were exposed to pesticide drift. During the interview, Byanka mentions how there were people who were working with her parents that day who passed away decades later since the incident. She also mentions how her mom suffers from an autoimmune disease. In addition, Ramos interviews other people from different towns in the Central Valley and meets a woman named Lety Lopez who believes she was born prematurely due to being born in an environment full of pesticides. Ramos finds out that there are a lot of disorders/effects from these exposures. Ramos also talks about how the women working in the fields are easy targets for sexual harassment and physical abuse because most of them are undocumented and the employers use that to their advantage because they know that no one is going to the police. Ramos connects the crystal meth epidemic to the above-mentioned issues because it is commonly used to numb the pain that the Latinx agricultural communities have to face in the Central Valley. They are numbing the pain from literally living in a toxic environment, lack of opportunities/resources, lack of papers, and normalization of abuse.
OPTION 2:
While Chapter 2 of “Finding Latinx” by Paola Ramos explores the realities of Latinx immigrants, it also touches on the struggles of Latinx trans individuals and their experiences in the United States. I believe that the title, “Shining Light”, is a reference to the struggles trans Latinx people experience in their everyday lives and although traumatic, they overcome it and come together as a community to lift each other up with support and empowerment. Ramos uses Karolina as an example of resilience, who, in the face of significant challenges, chose strength. Despite Karolina facing discrimination, violence, and the difficulties of navigating the U.S. immigration system, she was able to find a supportive community and access resources to help her rebuild her life. Ramos uses Karolina’s story to underscore the importance of community-based support systems in helping to uplift and empower trans Latinx individuals; the community that Karolina found provided a safe and welcoming space for trans Latinx individuals to connect with one another and access resources. Ramos also illustrates the examples of the ways in which Latinx trans individuals have been marginalized and excluded from mainstream society, and she does this in order to highlight the importance of community-based support systems like the one Karolina found; this is to emphasize the resilience and strength of trans Latinx individuals who have fought for their rights and dignity in the face of tremendous challenges. This is where the metaphor of the title “Shining Light” stands out to me the most. In the face of a community that is too often overlooked or ignored, you find support systems that not only represent the courage within these communities, but how the support of these exact communities shows the importance of centering the most marginalized among us in the fight for justice and liberation for all Latinx.
Option 3:
Whenever one thinks about Latino people or culture, it’s usually assumed that it’s Spanish speaking or has more to do with Spanish influence due to colonization. However, this isn’t the case. South America or the Latino culture in general is very diverse with many different languages. Indigenous culture is a significant part even though it’s considered a minority. The Mayan descendants managed to keep their culture, and their languages after so many years. As stated in the chapter “American”, Mayans in Guatemala which is the country where a lot of migrants into the United States are coming from, are facing a lot of pressures. They face discrimination within their own countries and are segregated from society, so they attain a quieter personality which is seen by the woman and child that Blake was speaking with. The majority of people are quick to assume that everybody from Latin America belongs to a Spanish speaking group with a Catholic background. While this isn’t the case. When it comes to religion, the Mayans have a totally different belief where time is cyclical and isn’t linear. There has to be more representation. When there is a lack of representation then cases such as Jakelin and Felipe can happen. Where they died because their medical needs weren’t met due to people not knowing or understanding where they came from and what they spoke. It was just assumed since they appear the same as the local population then they are spanish speakers as well. That’s why it’s important to decenter the belief that is currently held about Latinos. America is the land which was taken from the same indigenous people who are dying because they are being misrepresented, America is founded as a country for all. So everybody needs to have recognition.
Option 1:
While the United States should’ve given immigrants the freedom and opportunities that they expected to receive when they came here from their home country, they were still met with very unfavorable living conditions. “The Heartland” talked about how working in the fields of California has affected their health. In order to preserve crops, many landowners use pesticide, more commonly known as Chlorpyrifos, and this exposure to this pesticide caused health problems, not only for the farmworkers, but their families as well. While the families wouldn’t be anywhere near the fields, the pesticide clings to the farmworker’s clothes and that is how the family is exposed. Exposure to Chlorpyrifos led to premature births, ADHD, Autism, and Cancer. President Obama, during his term, succeeded to remove the use of pesticides but this was reversed during Trump’s administration. Another thing “The Heartland” pointed out is the fact that female farmworkers tend to suffer sexual harassment. Since the farmworkers are mostly isolated while working the field, it makes it for easier for groping and even rape to occur. While many female farmworkers go through this harassment, they don’t speak up and there are many reasons for that. One of these reasons is due to their legal status. Many are scared that if they speak up about what happened, they could be deported back to their country since they are in the U.S illegally or it could affect their chance at sorting out their papers to stay here legally. In addition, depending on the size of the group that works the field, they aren’t even protected by the government even if sexual harassment did occur. It is due to having terrible health, the harassment and not being able to get a better job opportunity to escape it, that many end up using meth. It is to the point that “The Heartland” is seen as a hotspot for drugs but, nobody is doing anything to change that.
Option One
Paola Ramos walk us through many issue that The Heartland has brought to Latin communities. We see Ramos first start by talking about the farm and the damage this chemicals are doing to the workers. These chemicals are very strong and the long term effect it can cause to the human body it is more much dangerous. Not only farmers are affected but also the children of the farmers. He then proceed to talk about how working in the land is what they were born to work as, it is a family generation to obtain a better life. However, not only the health of the worker comes into play we also see the violence coming into place. Where woman are sexually target and rape. Do to the fact that most of this workers were undocumented and were scared to loose their job most would never speak up. Apart from the fact of this struggles Ramos also show us how been a transgender was also very complex even under the eyes of the law. All of this struggles lead people to feel lonely, unworthy in a sense and most of this Latin would find themselves using drug to consolidate does emotions of loneliness and emotional damage they were facing.
Option One
In “Heartland”, Paola denounces the exploitation of migrant farmworkers by farming and oil corporations. This is commonplace across America, even if it is not a subject that is covered frequently by the media. Companies in these industries know that they can get away with overworking and underpaying migrant workers because of their legal statuses. This chapter also discusses the health effects that came with the unsafe working conditions these workers had to face. Being exposed to harmful chemicals in the fields specifically chlorpyrifos lead to many workers and their families being predisposed to or contracting, cancer, ADHD, Autism, premature births, among other health issues. Another major issue brought up in the chapter, is the large amount of sexual harassment and assault that takes place in these isolated fields, specifically to the women migrant workers. Again, due to their legal statuses, and lack of protection or care for migrant workers, most of these crimes go un reported and therefore continue to this day. The writer then brings up how the culmination of all of these factors, the mental anguish and pain that comes with this rough life, leads to rampant meth use. D
Adding to my response:
Due to these issues, the “heartland” has become a hotspot for the opioid epidemic and meth addiction. While this is an issue in many parts of the country, nothing is done for migrant workers, and most are never able to get the help they need.
Paolo Ramos addresses the abuse of undocumented latino farmworkers by big farming and the oil sector in the chapter “Heartland.” We learn about concerns that affect all of the Latino residents of the farms and the area around it in the reading. They also discuss issues that concern the society’s women. Additionally, Ramos opens his speech by discussing the farm and the harm that the chemicals are causing to the workers. These substances are extremely potent, and the long-term damage they can do to the human body makes them even more hazardous. Children of farmers are also impacted, not only the farmers themselves. We then read about the emergence of violence, which is a factor in addition to the worker’s health. This includes women being raped and sexually assaulted. There are various reasons why female farmworkers who experience harassment don’t speak up. Their legal standing is one of these explanations. As they are in the nation illegally, many are afraid that if they speak out about what happened, they may be deported back to their home country. To conclude, it is evident that many workers, male or female, end up taking meth because of their poor health, the harassment, and their inability to find a better employment.
Being a Latina/o/x in this country is already hard as it is but to be a part of the LGBTQ community brings even more obstacles for you to go through. Karolina explained how her whole process of being a transgender help her see the “shining light.” Being oppressed by people who think they are above you makes you think that you are worthless when in reality we are all the same. Not being accepted by your family creates conflict and tension that affects your mental health. Karolina’s mom did not accept her, and she left and led to her coming to the U.S where she was treated worse. When she was taken by ICE, she had to get naked and examined. Karolina identified as a female, so it was already humiliating that they made them go naked and to top it off they yelled “It’s a man.” So, the treatment they received they did not like it, but they had to go with it. That is when you see darkness because not only are you getting the worse treatment because you are an immigrant but because Karolina was also a trans who wasn’t taken seriously. This made all of Karolina’s dreams vanish and think that rotting in the cell will just be it. When she came out three years later, she made sure that a change must be made and that trans / Latina/o/x people should move forward and embrace themselves, so they see the shining light can eliminate the darkness.
Given their often undocumented status, issues with health, addiction, and gender violence are often left to worsen out of fear of retribution or legal repercussions because of their status. The immigrant communities throughout the country are the backbones of several major industries, many of whom suffer the consequences of shoddy regulation such as the workers in the fields covered in chlorpyrifos which has been proven through research to cause a number of fatal health complications and can cause serious harm to their children as well. As a result of this bleak reality, many turn towards substances like meth to cope with their loss, which often creates a vicious cycle of dependence and poverty as a result of not being able to function properly. Its worth mentioning for the sake of fairness that it’s understandable why some might feel that hopelessness and despair which can lead to addiction as their work often isn’t exactly the end all be all to help their situation as its often severely underpaid because of rampant wage theft and the environment comes with dangerous working conditions as mentioned before, not exactly something that people would look forward to. Fresno is particularly unfortunate as their city just so happens to be on a major trafficking route for meth. From the initial route often from Mexico, traffickers drive northward to labs hidden in the naturally mountainous terrain where the meth is separated from the oil disguise into its original form ready for distribution where dealers take advantage of people’s despair and offer them an alternative to numb their pain, leading to the widespread issue of addiction in Fresno.
In the chapter “Heartland,” Paola Ramos focuses on the harsh reality that farming workers go through, primarily Latinos that are undocumented. She touches base on the fact that many farmworkers have health issues caused by the pesticide, Chlorpyrifos which led to breast cancer in women and autoimmune disease. Not only does it affect the farmworkers but also their own family as it can affect their children’s brain development. Having been expose to the harmful pesticide, it can lead to premature births (what most likely happened to Byanka), autism and ADHD. Paola brings up the issue of women who are farmworkers are targeted for sexual harassment. She mentions, “In many ways, farmworkers, particularly undocumented female farmworkers, have traditionally been the perfect victims for sexual predators… Working away from the public eye makes them uniquely vulnerable to harassment and violence.” It is really sad that women have to go through this and it’s not like they can bring up the issue to their boss. Many farmworkers worry because they are immigrants and if they complain they can get fired or deported. Paola connects these issues to the crystal meth epidemic because many rely on meth as a way to numb the pain of the toxic environment they are living in. She mentions, “The stigma, the scarcity of opportunities and resources, the absence of upward mobility, the normalization of abuse, the lack of papers, and the literal toxicity of the environment all seem to contribute to a domino effect that is leading many toward meth.” In many ways, meth is a way to cover feelings.
Option 1:
Broadly, Ramos denounces how the conditions she describes perpetuate a certain level of danger that compromises the integrity of farmworkers’ jobs. Subsequently, this leads to drug addiction because of the emotional and interstate economic consequences. One of the most interesting observations in the chapter is the idea that all of the negative parts of the environment prevent social–particularly upward–mobility. The sphere of influence is therefore entirely centered around the Mexican drug-based economy. The economy that their labor builds serves very little to their benefit since they often have no other career options. Addiction also spawns from the issue that the emotional consequences of these circumstances are stigmatized and seldom dealt with. Drugs are also very likely undermined, as the toxicity of the air must seem like a more pressing thing to resolve. The chapter’s title, heartland, can also suggests that many of the outlined socioeconomic detriments are also generational. People like Byanca care very deeply about the safety and well-being of their children, but they are not able to provide real and genuine safety. They lacked safety when they were kids because their parents were stuck in the same loop, and their parents, their parents, and so on. The name also carries a secondary sort of irony, since the farmers and their jobs are essential to keeping the American population alive. Farmers sacrifice their own lives for almost nothing worth living for in return. Overall, all of the issues that Ramos discusses explain the inevitable circumstance of drug addiction, leading to the crystal meth epidemic.
Option 1:
In the chapter titled “The Heartland” Paola Ramos does a great job at touching upon all of the things that impact the latino communities in regards to farmwork. One of the first things that she denounces is the issue of pesticides and how they immensely impact the lives of many farmworkers even though it may not seem like it. One of the women that Paola interviews “believes that exposure to pesticides and the heavy crates of fruit her mom had to carry contributed to her preterm birth…” Additionally, another women that she interviews recalls the immediate effects of the pesticide which later turned into more serious and intense illnesses. She states, “after her parents cuadrilla was drifted on, some of the farmworkers felt small but immediate side effects such as vomiting and nausea. Today, more than a decade later, three women from the cuadrilla have died of breast cancer and Byanka’s mom suffers from an autoimmune disease.” Both of these experiences show how these pesticides can negatively impact peoples lives. She also speaks on sexual harassment that women farmworkers experiences. She states that these women are more likely to get sexually harassed because they are most likely undocumented and the people doing it to them know they are unlikely going to report it due to fear of getting deported or lose their job. She later mentions the drug epidemic and connects it back to the previous issues mentioned, she does this because she learns that the reason that there is crystal meth addiction crisis there is because of the issues the latinos in the farmwork industry are faced with and because they are stuck in a loophole, the people run to something like crystal meth to help them cope with these issues.
OPTION TWO: Ramos’ chapter titled “Shining Light” in a literal sense shines light on the reality for the Latinx trans community in Latin America and the United States. The rights and resilience of the group that gets hidden amongst a country that promises liberty and a new life for all. The story of Karolina and Ricardo are highlighted in this chapter which unravels the hardships and tough successes that become a reality for people like themselves who are(or were) amongst the trans community. Karolina mentions that she used to reside in Mexico City and there being trans meant to be “incarcerated”, it was a city that was homophobic, transphobic, had high levels of machismo, and sexist. However, for Karolina there was light, a light of life in the United States. Being in the United States was a light to her in comparison to life in Latin America in which “According to U data, as much as 80 percent of transgender murders in the world take place in Latin America” (pg 40). She knew what she was getting into in America as it meant there was a possibility she will fall into unemployment, poverty, homelessness, or becoming psychologically distressed for someone like her. The light was soon faded from Karolina once she was showcased with the reality of life in the United States. She was faced with sexual harassment, ripped of her pride, verbally, physically, and emotionally abused (pg 42). Unlike Ricardo, Karolina strived through the darkness to the light despite the torment the reality of life in the United States brought amongst them. Ricardo, a “former” member of the Latinx trans community felt the need to assimilate. He who once identified as a woman believed it was a sin, though, it was only a sin because that’s what the culture of United States was making him believe. He was a case in which he let the darkness consume him unfortunately but the light still existed in which he continued to live. These stories tell the harsh reality of the rights and resilience that the United States holds for being double minority as being a Latinx trans persons. To be wrongfully kept in the opposite labeled cell, being harassed, to feel the need to look towards God and rehab to change yourself, to finally get the chance to vote and have the ability to use pronouns in the government, it’s a intertwining jungle of change that comes with time (but the truth is change needs to be done right now).
Paola Ramos denounces the exploitation and ecological damage that happens towards those who are undocumented. Mainly to undocumented Latinos that work or the farmers. Ramos did interviews on Latinos who have been affected by the pesticides put into the crops. People living in the towns near have been affected long term, physically and mentally. Latin women were targeted, not only because they were seen as vulnerable but because they were undocumented. These women couldn’t reach out for help because their status made them scared to be deported or lose their job. “Countless reports point to the fact that majority of female workers have experienced sexual harassment and violence at some point. But it’s not just their physical work-place that makes them targets; it’s also their legal status (29)”. Ramos then connected the crystal meth epidemic to the previous issues because many of these Latinos go to meth to numb the pain. These people are suffering from poverty and oppression which led to the toxicity in the environment. “The stigma, the scarcity of opportunities and resources, the absence of upward mobility, the normalization of abuse, the lack of papers, and the literal toxicity of the environment all seem to contribute to the domino effect that is leading many toward meth (34)”.
In the reading “The Heartland” Paola mentions the effects of dangerous pesticides being dropped on land where immigrant workers live and also the abuse that female workers in particular go through when working. It is mentioned in the reading that, “some of the farm workers felt small but immediate side effects…Today , more than a decade later, three women from the cuadrilla have died of breast cancer.” Here you see the serious effects that these pesticides have on the human body. Mentioned in the reading the small side effects included vomiting and nausea. Women suffered from breast cancer also after being exposed to the pesticides. This also shows the little regard for the health of these immigrant workers. Since a lot of these workers are undocumented companies can get away with a lot of things because they will not report anything for the fear of being fired but also being sent back. Women also experienced sexual abuse while working in these farms. Monica Ramirez wrote a letter called “Dear Sisters” in the letter it spoke about the abuse that 700,000 which reported being sexually abused. It states “Ramirez … wrote on behalf of seven hundred thousand female workers most of whom were Latina spotlighting the pervasive, widespread, sexual harassment and assault cultured ingrained in their industry.” Here you see how many women have mentioned being harassed in their work place and how Ramirez is trying to be a voice for all those women who are to scared to stand up for themselves.
From Nelson Tavares:
When we think of Central America and Mexico, we usually assume that these countries are Spanish speaking countries. We mainly forget that similar to America these locations were once occupied by its original indigenous people. Central America and Mexico have a community of Mayan and other indigenous tribes that speak various languages. It is required to decenter the Spanish language and Hispanic culture as a frame to understand the experiences of Central American migrants because not all Central American migrants speak the Spanish language and keep Hispanic culture.
Unfortunately, because of the United States government & organizations not being aware or educated on this subject matter these people are discriminated on and mistreated when they come in contact with each other. America as a whole had indigenous people that were here first. Just like the United States of America, Central America and Mexico had indigenous people that occupied the land first.
The United States government and its organizations like ICE should at least to a minimum try to acknowledge these issues and provide the resources to communicate with these people and at least protect their human rights.
If you really think about it the indigenous people should be given the same rights, treaties and agreements that are received by the indigenous people that occupy the United States of America.
From Gurnoor Singh:
OPTION 2: I believe this chapter was titled “Shining Light” due to how much Karolina endured without letting what she went through dim herself as a person “dim her light”. She talks about how easy it would have been to hide her being transgender and to just conform to societal norms, but instead she chose to shine bright where everyone could see her true self- even if they hated it. I also believe the light represents her spirit even after she was homeless, was in prison, and was treated poorly by those around her. Her “inner light” is her confidence, her bravery, her personality shining through regardless of the horrible physical conditions she was living in. She had her own confidence, self happiness, and love for her sexuality that she didn’t need the acceptance of others. She didn’t crave validation. She mentioned that she didn’t beg for attention either, she stood out but didn’t try to hide herself. She just existed and her light shined through the darkness. When people go through trauma they often times change as people or suffer from PTSD. Her mental health was still strong after being “numbed by neglect, bruised by pain, and ripped of pride” she says. She also mentions how you can cave or keep going. And her resiliency seperated Karolina from the rest of us. She knew she had a life worthy of living so she continued to fight and shine.
Paola Ramos denounces the ecological, gender-based violence and health issues that Latinx agricultural communities in California face due to systemic injustices and negligence in “The Heartland”. Ramos mentions that Farming practices in California’s Central Valley have contributed to air and water pollution, causing rates of asthma, cancer, along with other health problems among farmworkers and their families. The use of chemicals and pesticides in the farms has led to the contamination of soil and water negatively affecting the health of agricultural workers and communities nearby. There is a lack of access to health care which is an issue due to the conditions Latin x people are working in. Women are most vulnerable to sexual harassment, assault, and exploitation in the fields. Ramos sees the drug epidemic as both a symptom and a cause of the broader social and economic challenges faced by these communities which is why she connects the crystal meth epidemic to the previously described issues. Crystal meth is commonly used in these communities because of the extreme stress and physical demands of agricultural work these people go through and use it to cope. The meth trade has also become a source of income for the Latin x people in the community. The more use of meth found in the community has led to more violence and over all crimes. Overall, Ramos argues that the crystal meth epidemic is both a symptom of the broader systemic challenges faced by Latinx agricultural communities and a contributor to these challenges.
Option 1
Paolo Ramos addresses the abuse of undocumented latino farmworkers by big farming and the oil sector, as well as concerns that impact all of the Latino residents of the farms and the area around it in the reading. They additionally touch on issues that concern the community’s ladies. The use of pesticides on crops, which are hazardous and harmful to humans who inhale them for an extended length of time, is an issue they raise. Many of the applied pesticides are wind-borne, which poses a major health risk to those who must regularly breathe that air. The farms are only permitted to use the pesticides at specific hours, but many of the workers’ schedules force them to send their children to school when the poisons are being sprayed right next to them. The vulnerability of female Latina farmworkers to sexual assault and harassment is another major issue and majority of these women are undocumented, thus they are scared to report the assault for fear of losing their jobs and being deported back to their native countries. Campesinas are ten times more likely to experience sexual assault and harassment at work, according to Ramos. Crystal meth is used to dull the suffering that the Latin agricultural communities must endure. They use the meth to escape and cope with the realities of living in a hazardous environment with a lack of documentation and the normalization of abuse.
Option 1:
Paola Ramos denounces many ecological, health, and gender-based violence issues plaguing Latinx agricultural communities in California by sharing the numbing sensation that these oppressive environments leave on Latinx people. For example, after arriving in this country she shares that many undocumented immigrants are forced to endure harsh working conditions because of their citizenship status, it obligates them to accept indifference and negligence with no complaints since they’re already in America, the supposed dreamland. Regarding health, most of these farm workers are exposed to harmful toxins that can have such detrimental effects, even fatal, it conditions these workers to place their health as a second priority, the first being money. Gender-based violence issues are common for women migrant workers because of the close quarter setting they spend with other men who may sexually assault them with impunity. She connects these issues to the crystal meth epidemic because she emphasizes the numbing mental experience that these events cause for workers, it forces them to seek relief in other places, and with the heartland of crystal meth so close, they seek it out. Paola Ramos makes this connection and characterizes this crystal meth addiction as an inevitable sickness considering the circumstances these workers have to endure.