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