“Research shows that most Mexican immigrants come to the United States with a strong sense of hope and self-determination, and that even when they encounter challenges, they are optimistic that their prospects will be more favorable than they could ever be in Mexico.” (“Why We Stay": Immigrants ' Motivations for Remaining in Communities Impacted by Anti-Immigration Policy.) Joshua Davis, author of the non-fiction story: Spare Parts -Four undocumented teenagers, one ugly robot, and the battle for the American dream, gives us a glimpse of the self-determination and hope immigrants have by introducing the reader to Oscar Vasquez and three other immigrant teenagers, Lorenzo Santillain, Cristian Arcega, and Louis Aranada. Davis uses strong pathos as he presents the hardships that young Oscar and his three friends face, showing that all the boys truly want is just fit in and survive. The non-fiction book captures the hard work and dedication these students have in school and in life. Davis also uses ethos when setting the scene, describing Arizona’s strong beliefs against illegal immigration. Davis personalizes the issue of immigration by introducing the reader to Oscar and the other teenagers, making one question the fairness of the harsh laws implied on immigrants.
Davis describes Carl Hayden as once being a “well regarded school…meant for white kids”, now littered with trash surrounded by abandoned houses. Davis goes on to describe the transformation of the student body as a reflection of Phoenix’s transformation. Giving a brief history of Arizona, Davis explains the transformation of immigration through the decades. As more Anglo immigrants came to Phoenix, so did the idea of segregation. East Phoenix was home to White families, and West phoenix- home of Carl Hayden High School- became a Hispanic community and considered by East-siders as “dirty.” Later in the book Davis continues using pathos and ethos describing the racism and segregation created in Arizona. Davis strong ethos refers to Operation Restoration, one of the largest raids held in the history of Arizona. Police bullied Mexicans, rounding up four hundred and thirty-two “Hispanic-looking people” for deportation with the goal of “building stronger neighborhoods.” Police officers seem oppressing and heartless. Davis quotes the Sheriff of Maricopa County as saying Mexicans “were often disease-carrying criminals (that) didn’t have the same values as American Citizens.” Davis again combines ethos and pathos when quoting Arizona attorney general Grant Woods as saying “The issue raised by this type of treatment is not whether the arrest and deportation is legal but whether human beings are entitled to some measure of dignity and safety even when they are suspected of being in the United States illegally.” Davis gives the issue of immigration a face saying “To kids like (Oscar), getting good grades sometimes seemed like the least of their problems.” Oscar Vasquez was born in Temosachic, a small town in northwestern Mexico. The opportunities America offered combined with the harsh restrictions on immigration tore young Oscars family apart when he was only nine. His father Ramiro left Oscar, his mother and two siblings, going to “al otro lado- the other side” for work. Oscar’s father knew he could make more an hour at a potato-processing plant in Idaho than he could in an entire day in Temosachic, and although he sent one hundred dollars monthly back to his family in Mexico, it was hardly enough to get by on. when Oscar was eleven, his father Ramiero came home after getting caught in an immigration raid. After deportation back to Mexico, Ramerio couldn’t ignore the financial logic, and decided that life was better on the other side …show more content…
After all, the teenagers beat the impossible odds by bringing home a championship they thought could never happen. This is where Joshua Davis however, combines strong logos with pathos linking the teenagers to issue of immigration. The concluding section describes how many sadly viewed immigrants in 2004. “Immigrants weren’t here looking for work, they were poor, lazy families that would contribute less than they received to the country.” Davis logos describes laws passed making it legal to “hunt for illegal immigrants.” President Bush militarized the border to “capture immigrants and prevent migrants from
Davis describes Carl Hayden as once being a “well regarded school…meant for white kids”, now littered with trash surrounded by abandoned houses. Davis goes on to describe the transformation of the student body as a reflection of Phoenix’s transformation. Giving a brief history of Arizona, Davis explains the transformation of immigration through the decades. As more Anglo immigrants came to Phoenix, so did the idea of segregation. East Phoenix was home to White families, and West phoenix- home of Carl Hayden High School- became a Hispanic community and considered by East-siders as “dirty.” Later in the book Davis continues using pathos and ethos describing the racism and segregation created in Arizona. Davis strong ethos refers to Operation Restoration, one of the largest raids held in the history of Arizona. Police bullied Mexicans, rounding up four hundred and thirty-two “Hispanic-looking people” for deportation with the goal of “building stronger neighborhoods.” Police officers seem oppressing and heartless. Davis quotes the Sheriff of Maricopa County as saying Mexicans “were often disease-carrying criminals (that) didn’t have the same values as American Citizens.” Davis again combines ethos and pathos when quoting Arizona attorney general Grant Woods as saying “The issue raised by this type of treatment is not whether the arrest and deportation is legal but whether human beings are entitled to some measure of dignity and safety even when they are suspected of being in the United States illegally.” Davis gives the issue of immigration a face saying “To kids like (Oscar), getting good grades sometimes seemed like the least of their problems.” Oscar Vasquez was born in Temosachic, a small town in northwestern Mexico. The opportunities America offered combined with the harsh restrictions on immigration tore young Oscars family apart when he was only nine. His father Ramiro left Oscar, his mother and two siblings, going to “al otro lado- the other side” for work. Oscar’s father knew he could make more an hour at a potato-processing plant in Idaho than he could in an entire day in Temosachic, and although he sent one hundred dollars monthly back to his family in Mexico, it was hardly enough to get by on. when Oscar was eleven, his father Ramiero came home after getting caught in an immigration raid. After deportation back to Mexico, Ramerio couldn’t ignore the financial logic, and decided that life was better on the other side …show more content…
After all, the teenagers beat the impossible odds by bringing home a championship they thought could never happen. This is where Joshua Davis however, combines strong logos with pathos linking the teenagers to issue of immigration. The concluding section describes how many sadly viewed immigrants in 2004. “Immigrants weren’t here looking for work, they were poor, lazy families that would contribute less than they received to the country.” Davis logos describes laws passed making it legal to “hunt for illegal immigrants.” President Bush militarized the border to “capture immigrants and prevent migrants from