Project Description
The purpose of borderline cases was to create an art piece that answered one of the five questions listed below, which meant that you had to create a piece that would convey a message. Throughout the process of creating our art pieces we also learned a lot about immigration and the problems that are happening due to immigration. It helped me understand the topic much better and also changed the way I view immigration since the documentaries we saw had some scenes that would really have an impact on you. For my art piece I decided to answer the question "What are the challenges they might face when entering a new country" and my art piece was the U.S., Mexico border wall with a Border Patrol car on one side and hands coming over the wall with the Mexican flag printed on them. You can see my art piece below to get a better visual.
The 5 essential questions
1. Why do people immigrate to other countries
People immigrate to other countries to have a better life and to get more opportunities that they may not have had in their country. Those aren't the two only reasons of why people immigrate to other countries but I felt like they are the most popular reasons.
2. What are the challenges they might face when entering a new country?
Trying to adapt to the culture they have, finding someone to communicate with like friends and family and trying to get started for example getting a job and education.
3. What is the difference between acculturation and assimilation?
Acculturation is when a culture combined or modified but not completely changed, so for example if you are from Mexico and you come to the U.S. you may start adapting to the American lifestyle but your Mexican culture will still be there, like what you eat, how you talk, etc. While assimilation is when your culture is no longer part of your lifestyle and you completely change it.
4. What things are essential or necessary to achieve success in the US?
The most important thing you need to be successful in the U.S. is determination because with out it I don't think you'll get very far in being successful. Another thing you might need is a plan/goal that way you have an idea of how you want to be successful in the U.S.
5. Is there an American dream? Is it for everyone?
I think that everyone has their own version of what the American dream is. For me it is to have a positive and healthy lifestyle, with everything that you need in your life, for example a family, house, and a car. Is it for everyone? I think that for the most part it is but there are a few exclusions.
People immigrate to other countries to have a better life and to get more opportunities that they may not have had in their country. Those aren't the two only reasons of why people immigrate to other countries but I felt like they are the most popular reasons.
2. What are the challenges they might face when entering a new country?
Trying to adapt to the culture they have, finding someone to communicate with like friends and family and trying to get started for example getting a job and education.
3. What is the difference between acculturation and assimilation?
Acculturation is when a culture combined or modified but not completely changed, so for example if you are from Mexico and you come to the U.S. you may start adapting to the American lifestyle but your Mexican culture will still be there, like what you eat, how you talk, etc. While assimilation is when your culture is no longer part of your lifestyle and you completely change it.
4. What things are essential or necessary to achieve success in the US?
The most important thing you need to be successful in the U.S. is determination because with out it I don't think you'll get very far in being successful. Another thing you might need is a plan/goal that way you have an idea of how you want to be successful in the U.S.
5. Is there an American dream? Is it for everyone?
I think that everyone has their own version of what the American dream is. For me it is to have a positive and healthy lifestyle, with everything that you need in your life, for example a family, house, and a car. Is it for everyone? I think that for the most part it is but there are a few exclusions.
Final Draft
Project Reflection
On exhibition day we converted our classroom into an art exhibit, by hanging up everyone's art around the room. Presenting my art piece during FDS was an easy task because I was prepared to answer any questions they had for me. The thing I was most proud about on exhibition day had to be my art piece because I put a lot of time and effort into making it and came out well. Overall I felt like this project was very interesting since we had to answer a question about immigration without using words and only the power of art, I also think it was a very successful project and I really enjoyed it.