Response to first three chapters

The first three chapters of “Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream” by Sam Quinones were very interesting. When I opened this book I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was instantly taken over by a view of a culture that I had not previously seen. I have heard that familiar rhetoric for many years, “People come to America for a better opportunity.” This is true, but it is so much deeper then the statement lets on. Quinones shows us that these opportunities are not self centered. Mexican immigrants do not come to America to only better themselves, but to better their families and the communities that they are leaving behind. Quinones also shows us that many immigrants are political refugees, fleeing an oppressive ruling class.

The first chapter of the book is a story about a young man named Delfino. Delfino’s father is a drunk and struggles to support his family. Delfino decided that he must pick up the slack and go to Mexico City to find work to help support his family. He was just a child but Delfino managed to find work. He worked construction always sending a large portion of his wages back home to his family.

What is most interesting about Delfino’s story is his assimilation into big city life. When he first arrived in Mexico City he was an innocent farm boy. This quickly changed, Delfino experienced many things that would be expected of an unsupervised youth in a booming metropolis. He experimented with drugs, sex, and alcohol. He took on the dress of American city youth. When he returned home the adults of his village were disgusted but the youth saw him as a glamorous role model. Delfino eventually found his real passion in break dancing. Delfino used dance as a chance to stand out from the crowd. Eventually, he met a girl and married.

From dance to the way that he dressed America played a huge role on Delfino. Like many others he saw the opportunities in America as something to alluring to pass up. This story ends with Delfino making his way north to cross the border.

I think that the most compelling thing about Delfino’s story was the struggle. Working conditions are atrocious and the pay is poor. Delfino gave up everything for his family. There is something about a character that is flawed but extremely noble that just sucks you in.

The second chapter of the book is about a Mexican immigrant returning to Mexico to run for Mayor of his home town after decades of living in the USA. Andres Bermudez like many others came to America to work as a farm hand. Eventually Bermudez ascended the ranks and became a foreman on a large farm, but the owner of the farm refused to allow him to live in the foreman’s house. A short time later the owner hired his inexperienced son-in-law and gave him the foreman’s house. This enraged Bermudez. He quit and he vowed to make more money then the farm owner ever had. Bermudez’s vow came true when he invented a machine to make transferring tomato plants from the greenhouse to the field much easier.

At the same time, in Mexico, political change was taking place. Mexico had long been governed by a single party called the PRI. This political party was made up of wealthy people and they tended to look out for their personal interests instead of their constituents. Eventually, a new political party came into being called the PRD. The leaders of this party believed that leaving Mexico for the United States did not mean immigrants were no longer Mexican. The PRD also wanted to throw out the old ruling class in lieu of officials that would look out for the common man.

This brings us back to Bermudez. The governor from Bermudez home state came to California to visit immigrants. This visit resulted in Bermudez deciding to return home to run for Mayor. On the surface he was the perfect fit a blue collar hard guy that had made money through hard work, but there were problems. First, Bermudez was no longer a citizen of the town and second he was not a politician.

Immigrants had long been prohibited from voting in Mexican elections. Bermudez’s case caused upheaval among the immigrant community who wanted representation because so much of their money was going back to Mexico fueling the local economies. After legal and political battles Bermudez was allowed to run for office and won. This case garnered much publicity and eventually Bermudez got swept up in it. He seemed to forget that winning meant doing the job.

This story showed that immigrants see themselves as being part of two counties. Having lived in only one county myself I found this very interesting. The people in the story are completely American and completely Mexican and the same time. They want what is best for the communities in both places. I think that this attitude should be one that is adopted by all people, caring not just for their local communities but for the worldwide community.

The next chapter is about a small town government gone completely wrong. A suburb of LA called South Gate had a large increase in Latino population and eventually saw a change in the make-up of its local government. This was a welcomed changed until a man named Albert Robles came into power.

This honestly should be made into a movie. All the devious, slimy politics are such a great story. Albert and his cronies are suspected of being the culprits behind mailers used to slander the competition making outlandish claims, such as, child molester and drunk against political opponents. People in the community tended to believe what they read and it was a guilty until proven innocent scenario. These tactics got many ill-qualified people elected to office. Once in office they did a number of illegal and immoral things. They took kickbacks on contracts, gave themselves multiple jobs, and awarded themselves huge pay increases. They also are suspected of committing violent acts against political opponents. After bankrupting the city the community bands together and Albert and his crew are removed from office.

This story showed that a community of very diverse people can work together toward a common goal. What I found most compelling was the reaction of the community. The idea that we aren’t that different, that we all want what’s best for our city. I think that is an important realization that all communities should learn. The truth is that wherever you are people are people, most are good a few are bad. It is a shame that it takes a situation as terrible as this one to realize that truth.

These first three chapters were great and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the book.