Books reviews are not my forte. In fact, I've never written a review of any book I read, ever. Reading "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario, however, really set my hair follicles on end.
Until reading "Enrique's Journey," I was somewhat oblivious to the plight of the millions of starving children south of our border. I knew many people, like my friend Carlos, sought to reach the United States for educations and incomes, however, in my innocence I never realized all that that journey entailed until reading this book.
Sonia Nazario's account, about the quest of Enrique, a seventeen-year-old boy from Honduras, traveling to North Carolina to find his mother after eleven years of separation is spellbinding. Nazario, a journalist, began this story as an account that appeared in the Los Angeles Times as a series. She ultimately won two Pulitzer Prizes for her effort. One was for feature writing, the other for photography.
Enrique's mother, Lourdes, after watching her children living in abject poverty and starvation, begins her journey one day, leaving five-year-old Enrique on the porch of his home, to travel to the United States for money. She promises Enrique and his older sister Belky that she will return within a year.
Eleven years later, Enrique, starved for his mother's affection begins the treacherous trip from Honduras, on the Trains of Death, through South and Central America, then Mexico, over the Rio Grande and into the United States. It is an arduous 1,600 mile journey during which Enrique is sent back to Honduras multiple times after his capture by immigration officials, loses his mother's phone number, is stripped of his clothing in a robbery, faces near starvation and is beaten almost to death.
The journey, much of it traveled by Nazario on the tops of the same trains, is filled with robbery, rape, brutal physical attacks, hunger and abandonment by smugglers. This story is not fiction; it is the real tale of real people struggling to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
The most alarming statistic is the sheer number of children from age five to twenty who are incarcerated at our border crossings in cells with rapists and violent criminals for 2-3 months awaiting deportation, after which they begin the horrendous trip again.
I've never discussed with anyone the night I brought Carlos Martinez across the Mexican border. For me it was a daring adventure, at age twenty. For Carlos, it was a life or death journey. This book, with its stark details, leaving nothing to the imagination about the illegal immigration of these parents and children filled in the blank details for me, as I'm sure the factual horror will affect you too.
When I brought Carlos Martinez here, wrapped around the engine of my car, struggling to breathe, it was a mere forty minute trip from Tijuana, Mexico to National City, California. As dangerous as that was, I had no idea what he had endured on his trek from Bogota, Columbia to Tijuana to meet me. Now that I do, not only do I have nightmares about it, but I am glad that I did it.
I highly recommend that you indulge yourself in the "other" side of the illegal immigration issue. It will open your eyes to the unseen facts we all must endure. The problem is not with people creeping over our borders; the problem lies in the disintegration of the family structure south of our borders and the governments' refusal to fix it.
"Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario in paperback, 300 pages, available on Amazon.com.
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Comments: 18
Tonia, The issue is one that is fraught with conflicting opinions. Now I am beginning to understand the depth of the needs and desires that push these people to do desperate things. I think the book has a lot to add to the entire debate.
Melissa, thank you very much. My story about Carlos will be posted at some point.
This book offers a real look at 'who' the people are and what motivates them to break laws as well as poignantly illustrating their desperation to survive. Their own governments are one of the root causes of the issue by causing/allowing overwhelming poverty, starvation and lack of education.
I have been involved with several border angels programs, where I assist with getting food, blankets, and medical supplies to those attempting to cross the rugged terrain into the states. It's a real need. I can't wait to read this.
Melissa, thanks! I have never written a piece like this before and felt I had to try every genre when I came to Gather. Thanks for considering my writing as "quality" writing.
Michael, nice to meet you. The book is thought-provoking and haunting. It opened up new avenues of thought for me and I hope it will for you too. Thank you.
I think books and article about real life are more fascinating than fiction. People live through more than fiction writers can imagine. I would love to read your article concerning Carlos and his journey. Are you still in touch with him?
I am glad you are not leaving Gather. Your writing is inspirational. I sincerely hope you will find it in your heart to forgive whatever transgressions you think I have committed towards you. I "wanna" reconnect. Madame Donna, you rock!
I don't quite understand your last paragraph though. I haven't made any decisions regarding my membership here yet. I'm also confused about this: "forgive whatever transgressions you think I have committed towards you". I don't know what you are referring to.
Wendy, Thanks! It's never too late to party.
Aileen, to live a life where you believe that separation from your children and family is the best option for your future (and theirs) is unimaginable and horrifying to me.