A Day Without a Mexican (2004)

14may

In the 2004 film A Day Without a Mexican the director plays with the concept of disappearing all Mexicans in the United States. Although racists, anti-immigrant(anti-Mexican) rhetoric seems to have been re-popularized by the Trump campaign, this film does well to show just how vital the Latino (working) immigrant class is in the United States. Although the relationship between the United States and Mexico seems to be one-sided, that is Mexico is heavily dependent on its cross-country counterpart, this film examines the dependency the US economy has on the Latino labor force and forces its viewers to imagine what life might be like (if the tea party’s dream came true) and there was a day without a Mexican.

The scenes at the beginning of the film depicted commonly held beliefs about what Latino immigrants bring to the US. The blonde anti-immigrant protestor did beautifully in the news segment to describe what these immigrants mean to the United States of America. “We are Americans. Simply defending our land and our values from those who would cross the border that border without permission. White people are disappearing and its our country. They come here and take our job, get on welfare, and bring their drugs into this country…and steal. Steal our way of life.” This anti-immigrant protestor’s beliefs shed a light on the racism and ignorance that permeates through white society on the topic of the Latino immigration. Senator Abercrombie also does well to highlight the ignorance and goes a step further by showing the dependence he has of Mexicans in his personal life. He angrily confronts his wife for hiring “illegal Mexicans from Honduras and Guatemala” while being served breakfast by his maid, a Mexican immigrant who cooks him a Mexican dish. His Nanny is such an important part of his life that she is entrusted with cooking his meals and even scolds him about staying on his diet.

To contrast the beginning of the film society is thrown into a state of panic when it is discovered that “family members, trusted workers, and businesses owners” have disappeared off the face of the Earth. The farmer interviewed by the news station understands the importance of immigrant labor. “California depends on these people to make these fields work”. This is only one example of the dependence the American economy has on the Latino worker. On a more personal level Senator Abercrombie’s home is thrown into a panic when it is discovered that their nanny Catalina did not show up to their home to complete the many tasks she is responsible for. “There’s nor fresh juice, there’s no clean clothes, there’s no lunch. Where did she put the peanut butter?!” California is thrown into such a state of panic that a State of Emergency is put into affect, showing just how vital the Latino immigrant is to the infrastructure of the United States.

I am the son of someone who crossed the border illegally, attained citizenship and started his own business as a gardener. I am proud of everything my parents have done to give me a better life and I know the struggles they went through in a country as unwelcoming as the US. I enjoyed this film because it shows just how important Mexicans are in keeping the US machine going.

A Day Without a Mexican

6 thoughts on “A Day Without a Mexican (2004)

  1. I also believe that the Latino workforce is very important to the United States. Like the old saying goes, “You never know what you have till its gone.” We don’t appreciate what we have right now. Latino workers do a lot for us. They are, in a way, always in the background and we don’t notice all the things they do for us. I’m glad this movie shows what would happen if all Latino immigrants just disappeared one day. Then we would realize just how much we rely on them and need those workers.

  2. Excellent writing! I especially liked how you made it relevant and gave it a more modern day approach. In the political climate today, the issues of immigration and taxation are recurrent themes. I guess the more things change the more they stay the same! Even though this movie premiered in 2004 it still raises some important questions as to who is paying taxes and how the U.S. has benefited from the same immigrants they use as scapegoats to rationalize anything negative that happens in our society such as less job opportunities, increased drug use/crime and a depletion in funding for social services. The following link is for an article on CNN about how the Earnings Suspense File showed that the taxes that were imposed on immigrants has basically saved the entire U.S. retirement system from insolvency. Its time to realize the truth about immigrants and how taxation affects them whether they are here legally or otherwise. http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/02/opinion/garcia-illegal-immigrants/

  3. Great post! I have seen this movie before and I think if Trump did get his way the country would be in a panic as everyone was in the film. The movie also reminded me of when Kelly Osbourne made a remark something to the effect of, if all the illegals were deported who would clean all our toilets?! While I do see how this is a racist remark because many immigrants go on to do other jobs and become successful as your parents did, I also see how what she said can be true. Many of us, as Americans feel these jobs are not for us, and we can do better. However, we fail to see how all of these jobs are very important and if no one did them everyone would be in a state of panic. This movie did an awesome job of showing that. Your post actually made me tear up a bit thinking of how so many people who perform these jobs, whether they are illegal, citizens, Mexicans, Americans or any other nationality are so under appreciated and taken for granted, and as you said they are keeping the US machine running.

  4. I’ve always heard of this movie and have wanted to see it. I hope to see it once I have some free time. It sounds so interesting especially right now with the presidential race going on and Trump still being in the running. I agree that many do not understand the importance of the Latino workforce here in America and it would not be a pretty picture if Trump gets his way. It’s awesome to read about your parents and how they came here in search of the American dream and have succeeded! There are so many great stories of Latino immigrants who come here and make better lives for themselves, unfortunately attention is mostly given on the negative stories. Great review and hopefully I will get to see this one soon!

  5. This is a great Post! Your review of the movie highlights the hypocrisy in the U.S. For example, although the dominant culture openly and silently complains about the illegal immigrants coming to the U.S., it is the same that hire illegal immigrants for cheap labor. To further my point, many in this country hire gardeners, maids, and pick up day laborers standing at the local Home Depot for low wages; and our law makers continue to use immigration as a polling tactic. I agree with your comments that the relationship between the US and Mexico is perceived as one-sided, however, in my opinion the US is as dependent upon its Mexican counterparts and visa versa.

  6. I love this movie! America is dependent on all of us, not only Mexicans but all people of color who will do the dirty work. Mexicans and other Latinos are not taking jobs from anyone. Most people do not want the job cleaning up after someone, be it janitorial, maid or dishwasher. Who wants to mow their own lawn anymore? Most restaurants that we frequent may have white or their own particular culture wait staff, but have Latino cooks. If not the Mexican who is going to harvest America’s food? What a disaster it would be if we did have “A Day without a Mexican”.

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