I’m going to talk about the idea of spaces and exchanges.
First of all , I would like to give a definition of Exchange.
Exchange is the act of giving or receiving something in substitution for something else.
It also can be a continuous movement or circulation.
It includes all type of exchanges: movement of people, economic, media, cultural etc. Because of globalization many people move around the world and emigrate for many reasons.
So to illustrate the notion we decided to talk about Mexican immigration in the US and we may wonder if Mexican immigration in the US is a controversial issue.
To illustrate the notion, I have chosen two documents.
The first one, " Crossing Over" is a radio report which deals about the American Mexican border.
Firstly, we learn that the 2000 mile border is controversial and raises various coneers.
It one of the longest border in the world and also a very busy place, indeed the equivalent of the entire American population cross it each year.
Indeed, hundreds of people die each year trying to cross it, they’re dream about a better life.
We can make a link between the document and the notion because The journalist denounces the paradox of the border: On one side there are migrants who hope for a better life in the USA and have to do a very long and dangerous journey and another side USA close the border however fortunes are made on the border ( illegitimate buisness).
And Now more illegals than ever in the US.
I want to give my point on view on the document, I have the feeling that this radio report is great because the journalist raise a debate about a hot topic which need to be discussed.
And I like this radio report because the journalist isn’t afraid to talk about the illegitimate business underground on the border.
The second document is a cartoon by the cartoonist Steve Breen.
It deals with illegal immigration of Mexican migrants.
It shows Uncle Sam , a personification of the USA, standing upon barbed wire which represents the USA Mexico border.
The migrants are standing in front of him reading the signs which Uncle Sam is holding.
Indeed , Uncle Sam is holding two paradoxical messages.
On his right hand we can read “ STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION” but on his left hand we can read “ HELP WANTED”.
Migrants are asking themselves “Is He schizophrenic” but actually these controversial messages represent the American opinion.
In one side we’ve got a part of the American population who doesn’t want illegal immigration but in another side we’ve got American companies who wants and needs them.
The author denounces the hypocritical attitude of the American government, they need immigrants however America will not let those immigrants into the country.
We can make a link with the document and the notion because it’s focuses on the hypocrisy and contradiction of the government about Mexican immigration in the USA.
I like this draw because the author shows his opinion with simplicity and his criticism isn’t difficult to understand.
The third document is an another cartoon named “ I’m Just doing the job that you don’t want”.
This cartoon represents the jobs that Mexicans do in the USA.
These jobs are generally unrewarding, exhausting and low paid.
Moreover the title make us understand that immigrants are confined to manual jobs because they are low skilled and also because they don’t have the choice.
I would like to raise an objection, more and more immigrants and not only Mexican immigration come to America to study and to have good job so we should keep in mind that not all of immigrants are doing low paid job, even if it’s the case for a majority.