It is commonly known that many laborers who pick crops for a living do not enjoy the best conditions. When it comes to food, people generally think of American-grown crops as being harvested by 20-something year old illegal immigrants, working 9 to 5 and making minimum wage. However, director U. Roberto Romano ofThe Harvest/La Cosecha (2011) paints a very different picture. He follows illegal immigrants and their families as they look for work, and labor in fields all across America. Here, crop-pickers like Zulema and Perla are underage and underpaid, working 14 hour days, 7 days a week, and barely clearing 65$ a week. They begin working the field as early as 7 years old, and frequently miss school due to their families’ reliance on the income and the migrant nature of crop picking.

The Harvest focuses on what little these families have and the never-ending cycle of poverty that they face. These families are living in limbo as illegal immigrants—at any moment, one small thing could go wrong and their entire world comes crumbling down. This is very well depicted in the documentary, especially with Perla, whose father gets sick and cannot work. Because of this, she loses any hope for stability in her life as well as for starting high school on time. In this aspect, the documentary is successful in evoking true empathy from the viewer. Romano does not overstate their predicaments; he tells it like it is. The struggles and life conditions that these families face are unheard of to most Americans, and the fact they are happening in our country is shocking.

The air of hopelessness is combatted by these young immigrants’ hopefulness. Despite the hardships they face, they all hope for a better life for themselves and their children. Although graduating high school and obtaining a stable job seems like a far cry from their current predicament, all of the young immigrants in the documentary remain optimistic. However, such goals are not impossible, especially in America. That being said, “The Harvest” highlights how awful these families’ previous living conditions must have been if they risked so much to get to America and live such an impoverished life.

One thing noticeably missing from this documentary was the perspective of the field owner’s. Aside from the fact that the employers are barely paying their employees minimum wage, many of them are obviously underage. I felt that it would have been interesting for the director to incorporate what the field owners think about essentially cheating people from a livelihood, or if they even think about that at all. Perhaps their indifference towards the hardships of their workers and families would serve to evoke more sympathy from the viewers. Maybe The Harvest would have even led to reform in the crop picking industry, or even just have raised more awareness of the plight of these families than it did with one perspective. I cannot help but notice how much stronger and more affecting the documentary would have been had the audience actually seen the forces of opposition that the fieldworkers face day in and day out.

U. Roberto Romano’s The Harvest easily relates to the major themes of immigration, identity and food that are central to The Peopling of NYC. For one, it forces us to raise questions about the origins of our food. One especially moving scene in the documentary showed a woman who picked crops for a living dismayed about the high price they were being sold for at a market—much more than she makes per pound or can afford. After seeing The Harvest it’s hard not to imagine to fruits or vegetables that we eat being picked by a poor immigrant. And, after seeing that particular scene, it becomes clear what a problem this poses to our society. It also serves as an implicit call for immigration reform, which would greatly help these struggling families. Their immigrant identity and illegal status does not give their employers the right to treat them in ways that are illegal. Additionally, the fact that this documentary was depicted through both the eyes of the adults and their kids shows what large an impact this has on the whole family. Sadly enough, some of these immigrant children may be barred from finding their own identity, not one of a fieldworker’s, because of the poor financial cycle they are stuck in. The Harvest is a movie that anyone can relate to, even New Yorkers who are typically so far removed from the Midwest and its food industry.

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart” – Cesar Chavez.

In the movie Cesar Chavez, Michael Peña, plays the role of the American labor leader that the movie is named after. Cesar Chavez – which is directed by Diego Luna – tells the story of the famous civil rights leader and labor organizer who was torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. The film begins with Chavez having a conversation with a plantation worker surrounded by his wife and kids, where we see that he plans to move away from Los Angeles so that he can have a more direct connection with the farm workers he wants to help. The movie then covers the first 10 years of the United Farm Workers and their struggles, beginning with the grape strike in 1965. The boycott that followed the grape strike gained national support and helped to win the first UFW union contracts in 1970. The movie goes on to show the role of Cesar Chavez, his family and Dolores Huerta working with others to start the UFW.

Right from the beginning of this film, the audience can see the dedication and passion that Chavez had for this cause. His decision to move back to the farms especially shows the dedication he had. The fast-paced depiction of his decision and the way it was placed right in the beginning of the movie gave the whole issue at hand an overall sense of urgency. In addition, the way in which Diego Luna decided to shoot the scenes – almost like a documentary- and the lifelike performances on display gave me the feeling of actually being there watching as the action unfolds mere inches from me. I found myself completely absorbed into the movie and Chavez’s story. Throughout the film we see Chavez embrace the non-violent approach as he came up against greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to the people he once was like. We see not only the struggles of working on a farm but also the struggle of being an immigrant with a family to feed. One character that Chavez interviewed – whose children also works on the farms – shared that himself and others wanted better for their children but they also have to be able to feed their family. This shows how difficult it was for immigrants to stand up for their rights when they knew that their family’s wellbeing was at risk. Chavez’s struggle to unionize these exploited farm workers — his long marches, his hunger strike — create moments throughout the film where it is nearly impossible to not feel moved.

Although this movie does not focus entirely on all the themes we have discussed in class, it does touch on several such as social change, immigration, identity, and to a certain extend food. In terms of social change I would say that that would be the overall theme for the movie. Right from the start of the film, the audience can see that Chavez has to go up against the greed and prejudice the existed in the society that governed the farm workers. Thanks to the naturalistic performances and the documentary like film style, I was able to almost experience how poor the working conditions were for the braceros. I saw how the workers suffered from racism and brutality – both of which are social problems- at the hands of their employers and local Californians. The movie also encompasses the theme of immigration considering the majority of the characters, if not all, are immigrants. The role that the immigrants had and still have in our community directly connects to the theme of food. During the movie it is impossible to ignore the fact that the only workers on the farms are immigrants. We see the connection that immigrants had to the food supply in California. Taking all these themes into consideration, I also believe that the movie shows the struggles the farm workers have in finding their own identities both as individuals and as a subculture in the United States.

Overall I believe the movie was really good but also lacked certain details that would have added to the storyline. Due to my personal knowledge of Chavez, I felt like the movie was told in a very simplified way but was told in an accurate manner regardless. The details that were put into the filming and the acting definitely added to the already moving story.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

A review on U Roberto Romano’s eye-opening documentary, The Harvest/La Cosecha.
Rate: 4.0/5

“They don’t know what they eat, what they have in the table, its picked up from migrants. I bet you they don’t even know.” – Perla
Have you ever taken the time to think about where the food that you eat comes from? My guess is probably not, and if you were asked to guess, you never would have said from the hands of a child. U Roberto Romano makes it hard to turn the other cheek on the issue of child labor in agriculture with his documentary The Harvest/La Cosecha. Following three children and their lives as migrant field workers, this documentary takes viewers into a world of struggle that many, particularly those of us from the city, would not even think still exists. Romano makes it evident that child labor in agriculture should not be legal in our country, as we learn that kids as young as seven years old are put to work in the dangerous conditions of a field full of toxins. US Senator, Tom Harkin states, “A child ten years old cannot work at McDonald’s. A child cannot work in hazardous occupations. But in agriculture they can work it ten hours a day seven days a week. They have no proctiection. And that is legal in America today.” How is it that we allow something like this? The Harvest/La Cosecha alsoshows viewers how farmworker families live, most if not all of them well below the poverty level. The documentary shows these kids wanting to help their struggling families. The children voluntarily leave school at an early age to go to fields all over the country in order to receive wages for their families.

Romano’s use of personal accounts from three very hardworking children coupled with the statistics that permeate the documentary prove to be very effective in drawing attention to the issues of poverty among farmworkers and child labor in agriculture. With the subtitle, “The Story of the Children Who Feed America”, this documentary successfully forces viewers to appreciate not only their lives, but also where they get their fruits and vegetables as we see kids working hard and hot days to pick what we consume. Romano combines emotional, often times heartbreaking, stories with statistical evidence, like the fact that over 400,000 American children are migrant farm workers, to draw viewers into a tale, making it difficult not to want to take action to help farmworker families. The images of successful individuals that were once farmworkers at a young age featured at the end of the film are an attempt to create an effective full circle effect, proving that these migrant families contribute as much to this nation as any other American. However, those same images also seemed to serve as something similar to the “model minority myth”, sending the message that if those individuals could become successful, why can’t others? I also think that this documentary could have been even more moving if it included other cultures. I know there are other migrants that are not from Spanish speaking countries and having their stories would have been more inclusive.

U Roberto Romano successfully addresses several themes discussed in our class, including identity, social change, and immigration/migration. Seeing the way in which many migrant farmworkers live allows viewers to get a better understanding of their lifestyle and thus their identity as migrants. The young man’s family had also immigrated from Mexico and faced many issues with the immigration papers, making it difficult for his family to stay together. This documentary gives viewers an insight on the struggles of immigrants, particularly Latinos, upon arriving in the United States and trying to make a living for themselves and their families. Hearing the perspective of children gives us get an understanding of how the entire family is affected. The Harvest/La Cosecha is also a call for help, to change the child labor laws in agriculture and protect those children in a way that will also help their families that are struggling with poverty. Anybody can really learn and be impacted by the documentary as it is very moving, but I know that anybody that wants to help families in need could really benefit from this documentary. It provides specific issues and ways to help, which people that do not know where to start may need, a push in the direction. Another great source of information is the website that accompanies this documentary. Theharvestfilm.com is a great website that includes information not only about the film, but also about the issues that the film discusses with links to contact Congress and spread the word.

I think the simplicity of Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is best captured by the first pages, which introduce Sam. The reader sees the character carrying a sign away that reads “I am Sam,” only to return on the next page with the sign “Sam I am.” No other text is included. (Note: throughout the book Sam is called “Sam-I-am” so it is possible that the whole phrase its actually supposed to be his name.) The other main character of this short children’s book gives no such introduction. Our first view of this character (which for convention’s sake I’ll call “him” too; he remains nameless throughout the book) is of him sitting on a chair, reading. As soon as Sam goes by though, this character says, “I do not like that Sam-I-am.”

He has no reason to dislike Sam, who didn’t actually interact with him at all. Sam’s presence alone seems to be what’s bothering him. Sam, a friendly character uses the tried and true method of offering food to generate a friendship. He offers green eggs and ham, which the other character declares he does not like, and which he continues to assert throughout the book. He never does give a reason though, as to why he does not like them.

Sam, continuously nags the other guy over and over to try the green eggs and ham, in various situations, such as “on a boat,” “with a goat,” “in the rain,” or “on a train.” Throughout the book a rhyme and repetitive narrative is kept up, and the corresponding pictures are, in typical Dr. Seuss fashion, have animals with facial expressions that are very relatable to, despite being on the faces of creatures that are imaginary.

In fact, the ending, in which the second (non-Sam) character agrees to try the food to get Sam off his back, and then finds he likes the green eggs and ham, would seem to be the end of the relationship between the characters if not for the pictures. The final drawing is of the second character with his arm around Sam, an empty dish in hand, and a smile on both their faces, a visual tribute to the power of food to forge friendships.

I really liked that idea in this story; that food can be a point of connection between two people who are otherwise very different, as long as they are willing to try and learn about the other. Sam may be excessive in trying to find the best way the other guy would want to eat, going through 13 possibilities, but at least he tries. The other character is so busy focusing on keeping Sam and his “culture” (green eggs and ham) away, that he doesn’t realize that he is keeping himself from trying a food, which, it turns out, he likes.

This book, written at a pre-school level, reduces this very common human problem of “fear of the other” to its basic elements. Instead of making the idea silly, it simplifies it, weaving it into a story that even young children can understand, on some level. Of course, a sophisticated reader might merely skim the pages, but I think the premise of the book is just as powerful, whether it is read in 2 minutes or 25.

One of my favorite pages, which is a full picture spread with no words, shows the second character eyeing the slimy green egg which he has just committed to trying. The expression of uncertainty on his face, and the faces of all the assorted other creatures who are in the background of the picture who echo his sentiment, are so understandable. I can feel that same expression, I’ve had it on my face when I’m finally deciding to try something new after a long debate.

I also found it interesting that food is the chosen point of commonality between the two characters, not some other part of culture, like clothing or music. Similar to the use of food by New York City as a way to “Americanize” immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this book recognizes food as “one of those things” that brings society together. I know from personal experience that when people borrow ingredients, trade recipes, and just plain share food, they become closer.

Green Eggs and Ham never fails to bring a smile to my face. This story was a part of my childhood (so much so that my family once added blue food coloring to our scrambled eggs to make them green) that I still find inspiring. And I think that the rhymes, strange creatures and vehicles, and especially the nonsensical journey the characters take, which starts in the car driving a tree, whisks down a physics defying railroad track, winds through a tunnel and ends in the ocean, capsizing a boat (and all its occupants), are all part of the fun.

Seuss, Dr. Green Eggs and Ham. New York: Random House, 1960. Print.

Name: Taiwanese 101

Address: 135-11 40th Rd. Flushing, NY 11354

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Taiwanese 101 is a spacious restaurant situated in a rather rare nook in Flushing. From the bustling Main Street and its intersection of Roosevelt Avenue, I followed the latter street westward, escaping the human clusters. The next street parallel to Main Street is Prince Street, where I made a left and another left to come to 40^th Road. A few more steps planted me in front of Taiwanese 101, which, upon entering, seemed like a normal Asian restaurant. There are rectangular, dark and polished wooden tables that seat four people and round tables for larger groups. Carefully looking around, I found that the restaurant was extended deeper into the building, filled with rectangular tables. Contrasting with the norm of Asian decorations such as framed Chinese characters written in brushstrokes and colored paper balloons, are names of dishes plastered onto the wall opposite the entrance. Bright, neon cardboard papers the size of a hand are adorned with Chinese characters in bubbly fonts. There are also aquariums tucked into the walls next to the entrance, and two to three rows house lobsters and fishes. The restaurant gave an impression that it was trying to remain wholly Taiwanese, from its interior to its food, but failed to abstain from bringing in American elements.

I was served hot tea upon arrival and seating, and the menu was brought out promptly. The LTR-size menu is four sheets long, pictures included to aid and entice customers. It is divided into: Cold Appetizers, Taiwanese Appetizers, Taiwanese Specials, Seafood, Meat, Vegetable, Soup, Noodle Soup, and Lunch Specials. I ordered Crispy Shrimp Pancake with duck sauce; Spicy Squid with Hot Pepper; Shrimp, Ham and Vegetable Noodle Soup; and Taiwanese Burger.

Being more familiar with the cramped, dilapidated, and not-too-friendly-looking quasi-Asian restaurants on the bypass, Taiwanese 101 was a pleasant surprise. Its interior was not unwelcoming and the tranquility from simply being a block away from Main Street was blissful. The noodle soup had a pale coloration and failed to electrify my taste buds, but its mellowness and subtlety comforted my system, like chicken soup except for the saltiness and thickness. I really enjoyed the spicy squid due to my personal preference for spicy foods. It was composed of bite-sized squid with chili peppers, peanuts and scallions all mixed in red sauce. The burger, which I took home, had pork, cilantro and peanuts stuffed in white lotus bread. It was sweet and slightly juicy, with cilantro contributing its unique herb kick and peanuts providing the crunch. The lotus bread enveloped all the different textures and tastes into one, neutral, soft blanket. The pancake was the one I was slightly disappointed in. It was not even crispy, and only dipping it in duck sauce saved the bland flapjack from being chucked. I was convinced with the soup, the squid and the burger that this restaurant served decent Taiwanese foods, but the pancake made me doubt a little. Also, when I spotted non-Asian names such as Popcorn Chicken and the wall enhanced with neon cardboard pieces, my willingness to deem the restaurant quintessential disappeared.

Taiwanese food is one of the many cuisines that have immigrated overseas into America. Like any other Asian cultures, it eventually found its niche according to its demand. Flushing is occupied and used by a majority of Asian-descents, and a lot of them seek out Asian cuisines. Also, non-Asians who want to enjoy different dishes try out Asian foods. Being in America, which means being surrounded by people of various origins, and trying to make a living, it is almost impossible for an ethnic restaurant to remain completely unaltered by American features. As was observed in Taiwanese 101, there were dishes such as Popcorn Chicken, Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs and Beef with Broccoli that were not particularly Taiwanese but were put in to appeal to a broader range of customers, and the large store space hinted at the economical importance preceding the family experience of dining out in a cozy and homey environment. Dining in Taiwanese 101 further strengthened the idea that my group had, which is that ethnic restaurants in America conform to the desire of the surrounding population and eventually acculturate American qualities. I believe this review will help not only those who wish to dine in Taiwanese 101 but also those who want to reflect on how the assimilation impacts ethnic cuisines and their representative restaurants. I hope that my descriptions of the restaurant and its foods trigger individual memories and opinions about Taiwanese food and that they help to make an informed and validated statements about ethnic restaurants in NYC.