Global Presentation Issues

1. Global Presentation Issues Which Way Home By: Anita Bennett

2. Which Way Home

3. Discuss the key social or political issue(s) presented. For this step, you’ll need your field observation notes from “The Power of Vulnerability” and “The Danger of a Single Story.” • When first viewing the documentary film “Which Way Home”and “The Danger of a Single Story” I instantlythought of it as a single story. A certain country placed in a stereotypical position where it’s known as the land of illegal immigrants. The negativity installed in our minds to think them of nothing more than what we are told. After I was informed about “The Dangers of a Single Story” I was ashamed of idea to think that I was greater than another. Chimamand spoke about the experience of her own single story in the “The danger of a Single Story” when she went to Mexico and saw the people as immigrants. She was ashamed because she viewed them as a story single like how foreigners thought of her native land as a place with exotic animals and poor people diagnosed with aids. The children in “Which Way Home” had the courage to be imperfect and vulnerable. They easily made connections with the other travelers because they were vulnerable and that is how they are able to continue their journey to cross the border. They went on a journey knowing that it was risky and that it could cost them their lives. These children knew they were imperfect and wanted to become more than what they were stereotyped as. That is why vulnerability is hard to fight against because we live in a world that is vulnerable.

4. Cinematography—Discuss the filmmaker’s use of images and/or interviews. How did the use of those images and/or interviews add or detract from the overall quality of the film? • The filmmaker’s images depict poverty and pessimism that were true but incomplete. It gives viewers a close mind opinion on the people as being “wetbacks” or immigrants sacrificing their lives in hope for a better future. As I watched these images I felt sympathy for them; a sense of connection because I was vulnerable. The images added and detract from the quality of the film because it robbed the people of their dignity but repaired that broken dignity.

5. Discuss any blatant biases. Decide whether or not your filmmaker deliberately presents only one side of an issue and provide a thoughtful criticism of how that issue might be viewed by those who disagree. • In the documentary I thought the filmmaker purpose was to make viewers sympathize and to inform them about the dangers of the journey in attempting to cross the American border. Although it is true events that occurred I thought the filmmaker was being bias to the travelers because America looked cruel in this situation. Yes I do agree that the journey that those young travelers toke was brave and risky but there are other ways of avoiding danger and getting across the border legally. The filmmaker shows us that we shouldn’t think of illegal immigrants as unpleasant but ordinary people who want to be something in life. Again I agree but other who disagree would say there are alternative ways that are less risky and legally to come to American.

6. Discuss any lingering questions you were left with after viewing the film and provide potential ways of addressing the key issues presented in the film. Provide visitors with additional resources for locating more information on the key issues. Here you must include a minimum of 5 links for organizations that deal primarily with your issue and suggestions for other texts (including films and news articles) your visitors might be consider for additional perspectives on this issue. Some of the questions I have lingering after viewing this film are: • How can we as American citizens help illegal immigrants towards becoming legal immigrants? • Why are young children being deported? • How can we help avoid deaths due to risky journeys to cross the border? • How can the Mexican government create programs for these immigrants to legally cross the border? Here are some links: • http://www.illegalimmigrationstatistics.org • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbkAvG2rjbM • http://www.pbs.org/itvs/beyondtheborder/immigration.html • http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/01/0123_030123_border.html • http://borderinvasionpics.com/index.html#FeaturedTop

7. Finally, in 1-2 paragraphs, discuss how viewing the film impacted your growth as a 21st Century learner and global citizen. • After watching this film I cried because there are so many things happening in our world today and is greatly impacting us. While watching this documentary it made me think of my sister who is the same age (eight and nine) as the children who were traveling. This was really shocking to view because the journey was very risky and dangerous. These kids are very inspirational and have taught me that you’re never too young to change the world. There are young and more determine then their parents so they have taken the initiative to make a better life for themselves and their families. I take my hat off to them for being such brave and strong young people. This is the generation that is changing the world today. Now that I am aware of these events I can now take action in letting justice prevail.