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Lopez Evelyn

English 101

Professor Batty

February 27, 2017

Moonlight Journey: There is no Darkness

The mural Under the same Moon by Cheryl summers was made purposely for a large

Latino community in the United States. The painting made a story in a picture of a boy and a

mom just following the journey from Mexico to America. It really spoke to most Latinos because

of the way it was painted into the little boys journey for an American dream. This mural had

really symbolized everything that had to happen in order to step foot here in the U.S. Cheryl

knew since this was a film about an immigrant family there would be many people just to stop

and think about their own journey on how they made it to America and what it took to become an

illegal alien. This mural has a political view to me in a way that you can be able to relate to the

journey as well as relating current events happening with immigrants, separating from their

families, and being deported back to their country.

The way this mural was thought out was by a Spanish film called bajo la misma Luna

which was a real story based on how a boy chito and his mom had faced obstacles trying to

find a better life. In the mural I noticed that there had been different patches of his journey and

there was also sizeable circles with the important details but they were much darker. It made

sense to me that those darker circles were a big highlight to their unexpected circumstances.

Riggens film inspired Cheryl because for the longest time there has been a debated issue on
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illegal immigration. I can agree that the debate on immigration has become a tremendous issue

from these upcoming years. Ever since having Donald trump as our president his first months of

presidency was set on getting rid of immigrants here in the United States. I have been against

trying to deport back people who are undocumented here in California because they have set out

their lives trying to provide better care for their family.

In the Story Enriques Journey he went through a journey no child has to go through. In

the book Enrique said, These buses make as many as eight runs a day, deporting more than

100,000 unhappy passengers every year. (Nazario 50)This quote in the story made me reflect

back on the mural how a nine year old boy crosses the border on his own to meet his mother

because they did get separated while crossing. They wanted to reunite themselves in the united

states even if it meant they had to be far apart for a while, they knew it was for the best. It comes

to show that crossing the border takes courage and its a story that can completely scar your life

because you can remember the tragedies even if it wasnt you who was suffering.

Many believe that immigrants in America are terrible people and are the reason for drugs

and weapons. When I see the mural I see a cycle of what a Hispanic goes through. They come

from a struggle and form their lives from bottom to top without help from anyone. You can see

the glory in the mothers eyes of the mural towards the son just speaking in a way saying We

made it, and that really is an accomplishment if they made it there alive. In Enriques journey it

explained Lourdes work is raided by immigrant agents. Every worker is caught up in the

sweep. (Nazario 30) in current events, this month of February there has been ICE officials

sweeping up Latinos who were undocumented and were sent back to country. There shouldnt be

a reason for anyone to be treated any less when they all they have done was support their family

and work for this country.

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Hispanic murals should be very much appreciated because they always tend to send a

powerful message. The mural Under the same Moon gave a big message to everyone that it

isnt easy coming to America and expecting to have open doors. Many work hard to get to where

they are and Latinos have been through enough just to get deported back. The Washington post

claimed Immigrant advocate groups claim that more than 100 people had been taken into

custody by federal immigration officials in Southern California Thursday.(Schmidt 10) Little do

they know that they just want to live a better life and getting accustomed to the California

lifestyle it would be impossible to return back to their country. The mural is very inspiring

because no matter how dark the trail is the moonlight is your guide and you never feel alone. The

thought of being an immigrant in the United States today is really scary and devastating because

you have to leave everything behind and all your important treasures. Unexpected circumstances

will always lead to better greatness.

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Work Cited

Nazario, Sonia. Enrique's Journey: The True Story of a Boy Determined to Reunite with His Mother.

New York: Ember, 2014. Print.

Schmidt, Samantha. "Fear Spreads in L.A. after Immigration raid, Advocates Claim. Officials Say

Arrests Are routine.." The Washington Post. WP Company, 10 Feb. 2017. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.

"AHORA EN CINES: LA MISMA LUNA UNA TRAVESIA TERRESTRE IMPULSADA POR LA

LUNA." La Palma 21 Mar. 2008: 6. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.