Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America

Gr 11 Up—Based on award-winning journalist Juan González's book (Viking, 2000), this compelling documentary connects the immigration stories of a handful of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the historical United States involvement in the political and economic spheres of the immigrant's home country. Through careful documentation of U.S. corporate interest in and support for Latin American military regimes and counter insurgencies throughout Central America and the Caribbean, viewers are presented with information about of some of the strongest factors driving Latino immigration to the U.S. The personal stories, some sad and shocking, add a heartfelt, human touch as they are interwoven with the film's historical facts and figures, ultimately giving viewers a greater appreciation of what life was like for these individuals before their journey to America. The film also shows that the challenges facing Latino immigrants don't end when they enter the United States: they strive to adapt to U.S. culture, work hard as productive members of the economy, serve the nation in the military, and face the harsh realities of racism. This production shows that, as a nation, we need to understand our past in order to understand our future and that the immigration issue does not have simple solutions.—Kathy Llera, Sayreville Middle School, NJ