1. What are the main points/arguments made by the author?Victor Davis Hanson outlines the pros, cons and stereotypes of the ever emerging state of Mexifornia. Hanson draws his immigration perspectives from his life experiences, namely as a farmer in the small, sleepy town of Selma in central California and as a classics professor at California State University, Fresno, to whom he decided this book. Hanson's town of Selma when he was a child was described as a "face-to face community" where everyone knew each other, but now, he states, "I actually wish I knew someone" (Hanson, page 1).
As a farmer in this town, Hanson refers to the "mom-and-pop" stores that are taken over by larger chains and the family farms that are run out of town by big businesses. As a professor, he teaches numerous students from Mexico and shares his personal experiences with these students as they graduate and succeed in life.
San Jose, California May Day March
Mexican American
Victor Davis HansonOne might say, "the times are a changin,'" as quoted in my Mom's 1967 senior yearbook.
Even though this book is entitled Mexifornia, Hanson explores the influx of other nationalities and their influence on American culture. Hanson, however, is quick add that even though their have been a plethora of cultures entering America, the Mexican immigration has proved to be a "steady surf" throughout the last few decades (pages 9-10). This leads into the number of children and future offspring that are born and raised in California. The procreation factor in California could also be attributed to the way of life in Mexico, where there is a lack of health care and birth control.
In the subsequent chapters of the book, Hanson addresses the "illegal alien" factor, his experiences with the immigration issue, "the old simplicity that worked" and the educational system and...