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| The Other Face of America: Chronicles of the Immigrants Shaping Our Future | 
 enlarge | Author: Jorge Ramos
Publisher: Rayo
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (7 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1356047
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 0066214165
Dewey Decimal Number: 305.868073
EAN: 9780066214160
ASIN: 0066214165
Publication Date: January 2002
Release Date: January 8, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Immigrants in America are at the heart of what makes this country the most prosperous and visionary in the world. The optimism that goes along with this sentiment was at its peak until recently, when tragedy struck at the World Trade Center. Once again, the foreign-born in America have become objects of suspicion, and instead of adopting laws that would extend our borders to them our country has suddenly swung its gates shut. But do we really know who makes up the bulk of immigrants in America? Jorge Ramos does. Writing from his own heartfelt perspective as an immigrant, forge Ramos, one of the world's most popular Spanish-language television news broadcasters, listens to and explores stories of dozens of immigrants who decided to change their lives and risk everything -- families, jobs history, and their own culture -- in order to pursue a better, freer, and opportunity-filled future as citizens of the United Starts. By telling the personal stories of the immigrants' journey to America and their subsequent effects on American culture, Ramos advances the notion that immigrants have created a country within a country. and ultimately are the soul of America's continued good fortune. With the clear tone of a seasoned journalist; Ramos brings to life the tales of individuals from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, among other countries, and explains why they first immigrated (war, poverty, exile, and so on), what their dreams are, how they deal with racism, and what they believe the future hill hold for them and for their children. Not since the early twentieth century has immigration been such a transformative force in America. Immigrants from Europe whoflooded into the United States helped shape what many refer to as the "American" century and ultimately transformed the world. America's second wave of immigration is now a reality, and like the previous one this wave will again transform American society, and the world forever. From the recent Vieques controversy to the interesting notion that Spanglish has become a uniquely American phenomenon to the blossoming creativity of Latino communities in places -here ten years ago there were none, Ramos shows that there is a new face in America, one whose colors and countries of origin are as diverse as the country it has adopted as home.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Racism examined by a politically correct racist September 17, 2007
This book is incredibly racist, against white Americans. Ramos goes out of his way to show every negative stereotype of white Americans that he can find.
I had to read it for a Master's level class on culture and the entire class was revolted by what we read. The only saving grace (from an academic stand point) is that he admits to his bias in the introduction. Indeed, he wears his bias like a badge of honor. The thing that keeps him from being attacked for his views is that he is a member of an ethnic minority. No way a white male could get away with printing views this clearly biased.
Highly recommend you pass on this book.
One sided and shallow September 11, 2007
In The Other Face of America, Jorge Ramos, explores the important issue of Latino immigration. Using oral histories he shows the human side of immigrants attempting to provide for their family and improve their quality of life. He counters the argument that illegal immigrants are here for welfare benefits and demonstrates that they contribute more than they take away. These are important issues but unfortunately Ramos is not up to the task of addressing it proffessionally
While immigration is a complex issue, Ramos sees a world that is Brown and White with no grey areas. He sees his "world as mixed brown and inclusive" and "their world as white, exclusive and dominant."(xiv) He states that anti-Hispanic racism pervades the daily life of all Americans. (xxxi) Instead of showing a variety of causes and viewpoints, all is reduced to xenophobia and racism. He doesn't even bother to distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants. Apparently White Americans treat both the same. Journalists are held to similar standards as historians. That is, thoroughness of research, objectivity, logic and unbiased writing. Even though he is a respected journalist he feels "compelled to voice his opinion". (xix) Even with that caveat readers still assume he is still maintaining high journalist standards. He even claims to not be biased (xx) and then throws his bias around liberally. "During the height of Irish and Italian immigration never was there an anti-immigrant sentiment so noticeable and so great as in 1994."(48) A quick trip to the library would have Revealed "No Irish need apply" signs and riots all over the country. I dont remember that in 1994. Is this bias or just bad research? Neither should be tolerated from a reporter.
This is an important issue and what is needed is good solid reporting not one sided opinion. Ramos seems too lazy to do the research. He simply threw together a number of essays written over the years and calls it a book. Thus we hear no less than six times why the birth rate of Latino families is greater than American families. He can not even be bothered to edit his work so he ends up repeating himself. It is unfortunate that this respected reporter has not taken the time and effort to explore, analyze, research, and evaluate the immigration issue.
 Unbalanced June 12, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A very biased book (at least he admits it). What is good about it? The depiction of life as an illegal immigrant and how immigrants help the American economy. What is flawed? Much more than I am willing to write here. The statistics he uses--conveniently picks and chooses to support his argument. His statistics don't paint the full picture. He doesn't distinguish between legal and illegal immigration. He seems to find no problem with illegal immigration--that's what really bothers people. He believes that it's Mexicans that Americans dislike. It's not Mexicans, it's illegals! All he does seem to do is whine about what is not right. He states there is no way to fix it and suggests that since it can't be fixed, to open our borders fully. There is no advocation about increasing the number of work permits or any cracking down on people who hire the illegals. Not much thought went into providing solutions. Anyone can criticize, but the good ones come up with solutions.
 Good book, but at this point a little dated April 24, 2007
I think overall Ramos does an excellent job in this book. He candidly and honestly portrays the variety of experiences of Hispanic Immigrants. He has a great appreciation of the wide variety of cultures that fall under the title of Hispanic, as well as the particular challenges faced by each of them in America. In all honesty I could have done without his ode to Spanglish, as well as one or two other chapters, but overall I think this is a worthwhile read. The only other thing, at it may have already happened is that it needs to be updated!
 The immigrant experience August 12, 2002
11 out of 14 found this review helpful
Ramos does a superb job of showing how the Latino experience is the American experience: hard-working folks moving from their home country to the USA to make a better future for their families, and in the process, to make a better USA. Ramos also proposes insightful solutions to the social and institutional challenges associated with this wave of immigration. If you want to increase your understanding of Latino cultures in the USA, read this book.
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