Jimmy Santiago Baca´s Poem "So Mexicans Are Taking Jobs from Americans"

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Mexican immigrants are misjudged for coming to the Unites States illegally and stealing jobs from American citizens. In the poem “So Mexicans Are Taking Jobs from Americans”, Jimmy Santiago Baca discusses the mistreatment that Americans have of immigrants and then explains the reality of the situation. Baca uses imagery, symbolism, diction, and tone to argue about the prejudices that Americans have of Mexican immigrants. Throughout the poem, Baca uses imagery to express prejudice misconceptions that Americans have of immigrants. In lines one through three, “Do they come on horses with rifles and say, Ese gringo gimmee your job,” the writer creates an exaggerated image to demonstrate how racist Americans think immigrants are taking away their jobs. In addition, lines eight through ten, “Do they sneak into town at night, and…mug you, a knife at your throat, saying, ‘I want your job?’” depict immigrants as being evil and violent. The author portrays immigrants as physically taking over the work force and doing so with vicious actions. “Do you, gringo, take off your ring, drop your wallet into a blanket spread over the ground and walk away?” (4-6). Baca defends immigrants by asking Americans if they would pack their belongings and leave their families behind to move to a different country. Immigrants leave their home country and families behind in hopes of obtaining the American dream and creating a better life. Through powerful imagery, the reader can witness how Mexican immigrants are stereotyped as using violence to obtain employment. The writer gradually shifts from the negative assumptions to the reality of the matter by using symbolism. Baca describes a leader as being “asthmatic” (12) with “wrinkles on his face” (14) t... ... middle of paper ... ...r wealth. As the poem progresses, Baca’s writing tone is switched to anger. The angry tone expresses the writer’s feelings towards racial discrimination and both immigrants and those living in poverty. The reader is able to easily identify the tone of the poem because it is shaped by the use of powerful imagery, significant symbolism, and insensitive diction. Jimmy Santiago Baca’s poem sends out a powerful message without the use of a strict structure. The modest wording and simple structure helps the writer send his message across. In addition, with the use of imagery, symbolism, diction, and tone, Baca is able to argue and ridicule American stereotypes on Mexican immigrants coming to the country and robbing them of job opportunities. The use of figurative language helps support Baca’s point of view on how the American misconception is irrational and prejudice.

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