













































Creative Works | Poetry | Calderon 137 
 

CALIFORNIA SOCIOLOGY FORUM VOL. 6 

Estimado Padre 
Astrid Calderon 

Department of Sociology 
California State University, Los Angeles 

 
 
EXPLANATION OF SOCIOLOGICAL RELEVANCE 

The video poem I created for my CLS 1600-03 class is a 
poignant exploration of the immigrant experience through a 
sociological lens. By crafting the narrative in Spanish, I 
constructed a direct dialogue with my immigrant father, delving 
into the intricacies of his journey and the motivations behind 
leaving his life in Mexico. Through this intimate portrayal, the 
poem sheds light on the reality and complexities of the American 
dream from the perspective of immigrants, illustrating the 
challenges and sacrifices inherent in pursuing a better life. 

Moreover, the poem offers insights into the Latinx view 
of hustle culture, depicting the determination and resilience 
required to navigate unfamiliar territories and societal 
expectations. It captures the essence of the coming-of-age story of 
my father and I, who gain a deeper understanding of our familial 
roots and the intergenerational struggles embedded within our 
upbringing. 

As a first-generation college student, exploring my 
father’s journey resonates with a broader sociological context, 
reflecting the experiences of many who grapple with the legacies 
of hardship and resilience passed down through generations. This 
narrative serves as a testament to the strength of immigrant 
communities and the complexities of familial relationships shaped 
by adversity and the pursuit of the American dream. 
 
To watch the poem in its original video format, scan below:  
  



Creative Works | Poetry | Calderon 138 
 

CALIFORNIA SOCIOLOGY FORUM VOL. 6 

Estimado Padre  
En los campos donde el sol se hace uno con la tierra 
Donde la tierra produce el fruto que nos alimenta 
Donde el alimento crea fusiones de sabores que toca nuestro paladar  
Donde se te hacen las manos desgastadas  
Y la ropa desgarrada  
Allí trabajas aunque tu cuerpo te diga que ya no puede más 
 
Pensarías que hablo de un adulto 
Pero en verdad hable de un niño  
Ese niño es mi padre  
Nuestro padre  
 
A los 10 años ese niño ya era un adulto  
Se cuidaba solo  
Se decía que era listo  
Se sabía que el niño era muy trabajador  
 
Nunca tomó la moneda de judas  
Nunca tomo el camino fácil  
Nunca se dejo engañar por la gente  
Nunca dejaron a ese niño, ser niño 
 
Con lágrimas en los ojos  
Y el corazón acelerado  
Se despido de su tierra a los 16 años  
 
Por el sueño americano  
Arriesgo sus manos  
Pero por un milagro 
La Virgencita lo mantuvo sano  
 
Trabajando de noche 
Trabajando de día  
Cuando miraba el sol 
No sabía amanecía o anochecía 
 
Ya no tienes que esconderte  
Ya no tienes que huir  
Porque tu sueño ya se te pudo cómplir 
  



Creative Works | Poetry | Calderon 139 
 

CALIFORNIA SOCIOLOGY FORUM VOL. 6 

El sueño americano no será lo que dicen  
El sueño americano es numas para los que nos contradicen  
Llegando aqui pronto aprendistes 
Que el sueño americano, se trata de poder ser feliz  
Ni con dinero, ni con riquezas 
Pero con tu familia todo si se puede complir 
  
Aquel nino ya no es un nino  
El es mi padre,  
Mi padre el que me dice 
Échale ganas 
Y ponte las pilas 
 
Gracias mi padre por ser mi padre 

 
Dear Father 

In the fields where the sun is one with the earth 
Where the earth produces the fruit that feeds us 
Where food creates fusions of flavors that touches our palate 
Where your hands become worn 
And your clothes torn 
There you work even though your body tells you to stop 
 
You would think I’m talking about an adult 
But really I speak of a child 
That child is my father 
Our father 
 
At the age of 10, that child was already an adult. 
He took care of himself 
It was said that he was clever 
The boy was known to be a hard worker 
Never took coin of Judas 
Never took the easy way 
He never let the people fool him 
They never let that child, be a child 
 
With tears in his eyes 
And a racing heart 
At the age of 16, to his motherland he said goodbye 
For the American dream 



Creative Works | Poetry | Calderon 140 
 

CALIFORNIA SOCIOLOGY FORUM VOL. 6 

He risked his hands 
But by a miracle 
The Virgin kept him complete 
 
Working at night 
Working during the day 
When he looked at the sun 
He couldn’t tell dawn from dusk 
 
You don’t have to hide  
You no longer have to run away 
Because your dream has been fulfilled 
  
The American dream is not what they say 
The American dream is for those who contradict us 
Here you soon learned 
That the American dream is about establishing happiness 
Neither with money nor with riches 
But with your family everything can be complied 
  
That child is no longer a child 
He’s my father, 
My father who tells me 
Never give up 
Look alive 
 
Thank you my father for being my father 
 
 
Astrid Calderon (She/Her/Ella) is a first-generation, undergraduate junior 
at California State University, Los Angeles. She is an active participant of 
the CSULA Pre-PA club and was the historian of the former Movimiento 
Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A) de CSULA organization. 
Majoring in Sociology with a focus on gerontology, Astrid has a passion for 
researching societal issues and diseases correlated with socio-economic 
status. Her works often delve into themes of identity, inequality, and social 
justice. Alongside her academic pursuits, Astrid brings a wealth of practical 
experience in patient care and healthcare administration gained through her 
role as a COPE Health Scholar at Glendale Adventist Health Hospital. With 
a commitment to advocacy and community engagement, Astrid submitted to 
CSF as an opportunity to share her perspectives through this piece, which 
delves into the immigrant experience through a sociological lens. 


	Estimado Padre - Astrid Calderon



