California- Part of the United States or Mexico

      California has not only harbored the opportunistic dreams of US citizens but has also been well known as the dream of opportunity for those across the border. Many however still feel that this land was stolen and rightfully belongs to Mexico. So as many continue to come here illegally and US citizens fight for their deportation it is no wonder that Carrey McWilliams saw California as nothing more than a "circus" and Polan a place where "citizens try to pull ahead of the rat race"(McWilliams 23 and Polan 136). Because that is what the state has become- a rat race. This lushes land of bounty and endless dreams has yes become a place of opportunity but has also become a place of dispute and struggle for power torn by its bitter past. The only resolution perhaps is to try to get along with one another and understand eachothers dreams, for California can be a place of opportunity in many ways for many different people. It is not "as if a man of limited means could only have limited dreams"(Polan 137). Any one can touch the sky in California as long as their will is strong enough. 

Picture (Above)- In an absolte world.   

Comments

[Patrick Ayers]

As you breech the subject of immigration into California from Mexico, I believe this is a very important subject currently in California. Even though I feel bad that the Spanish and American explorers stole the land from the natives, I do beleive the immigration laws shuld be enforced in a much more intense way. The criminals that illegally cross the border and commit crimes in our country are sent to prison and paid for by the taxpayers in America, not Mexico. A native Mexican should be able to become an American citizen in a legal way and if they can't, then it is not meant to be for them.

[Pacita]

Although everyone can agree that California is a place for opportunity, the Golden State is also perceived as a place of resentment due to the dispute of land/property between USA and Mexico. Created by Native Mexicans’ failure of the dream, their resentment towards unachieved dreams of fairness and ownership increases; their hostile view of California—land of greater opportunities—is bittersweet.