“There is nothing good on television” is a common complaint that is constantly being said. After watching an episode of “30 days” titled Immigration, this statement is proven to be false. The show is produced by FX Networks, with the executive producer being R.J. Cutler (The War Room). “30 days” is a documentary with hints of reality television through out. This “in your face” television program is for individuals who are into current events and who strive to be open minded. In this particular episode, Frank, the main character who is also part of the Minutemen, moves in with an illegal immigrant family for 30 days. Frank migrated to the United States legally and also comes from a Spanish speaking background. The show begins by showing Frank at home and then out with the other Minutemen on the Mexican border. He shares his thoughts about illegal immigrants, which is that they should all be shipped back to their own countries. For 30 days, Frank lives with the Gonzales family in Los Angeles, California. The house is small and crowded with five children ranging in age from 10-22 and the parents, Patty and Rigorberto.
After Frank moves in with his new family, tensions rise as the oldest daughter, Armida, begins to confront Frank on his beliefs. Through out the entire episode, this discussion continues with Armida at one point stating “The American dream, what about the American dream, you know? The American dream, for him to try to stop that is insane”. Frank speaks his mind later in the episode as shown in the following quote “If you’re going to be here, you have to understand how to take care of this country. And if you can’t take care of this country, you need to go back to Mexico”. After living with the family for a couple weeks, Frank takes a trip to visit the Gonzales’ family living in Mexico. Seeing the deplorable conditions pulls at his heart strings and he beings to see past legalities.
Stereotyping is a theme seen throughout the 30 days. Before Frank went to live with the Gonzales’, his intended purpose was to send them back to Mexico the following day. He felt that they were not being productive citizens of society and not helping the United States. However, Frank’s views are changed later in the episode when he sees how hard the family works to support itself and that the oldest daughter Armida plans to attend college to make a name. As Lippmann states in his book Public Opinion, “There is neither time nor opportunity for intimate acquaintances. Instead we notice a trait which marks a well known type, and fill in the rest of the picture by means of the stereotypes we carry about in our heads”. It is only after we are able and willing to see people for what they are that stereotypes are not as relevant.
After viewing the episode, it definitely opened my eyes to both sides of the illegal immigration movement. I was interested the entire time because it was human nature at it’s finest; the need to be on top, such as how Frank acted. “30 days” not only was entertaining but also serves the purpose of breaking down stereotypes and judgments of others. It allows the viewer to see both sides of a current issue that everyone has an opinion on. The only part of the episode that was negative was when Frank and Armida were playing golf. It seemed to me that it was not needed to make the intended statement. Also, it seemed contradictory that the Gonzales’ family had no money but could afford golf clubs. That scene ruined it for me a bit.
Morgan Spurlock is the creator of “30 days” and also produced the documentary “Supersize Me”. The purpose of creating the show was that viewers can discuss the episodes and learn more about each other along the way. Other episodes include the following; Chris Jobin, a man who lost his job to outsourcing, travels to India (where his job was outsourced too) and lives with a family for 30 days. Another interesting episode is when Spurlock actually enters a jail system for 30 days to see what being a prisoner is like. The idea of the show is to put people in uncomfortable positions, in which they have preconceived stereotypes about, and let them see the other side of the fence.
Overall, I would give the episode an 8/10. I think the message was clearly shown and it was entertaining. However, I felt some scenes took away from the message that was being portrayed.
After Frank moves in with his new family, tensions rise as the oldest daughter, Armida, begins to confront Frank on his beliefs. Through out the entire episode, this discussion continues with Armida at one point stating “The American dream, what about the American dream, you know? The American dream, for him to try to stop that is insane”. Frank speaks his mind later in the episode as shown in the following quote “If you’re going to be here, you have to understand how to take care of this country. And if you can’t take care of this country, you need to go back to Mexico”. After living with the family for a couple weeks, Frank takes a trip to visit the Gonzales’ family living in Mexico. Seeing the deplorable conditions pulls at his heart strings and he beings to see past legalities.
Stereotyping is a theme seen throughout the 30 days. Before Frank went to live with the Gonzales’, his intended purpose was to send them back to Mexico the following day. He felt that they were not being productive citizens of society and not helping the United States. However, Frank’s views are changed later in the episode when he sees how hard the family works to support itself and that the oldest daughter Armida plans to attend college to make a name. As Lippmann states in his book Public Opinion, “There is neither time nor opportunity for intimate acquaintances. Instead we notice a trait which marks a well known type, and fill in the rest of the picture by means of the stereotypes we carry about in our heads”. It is only after we are able and willing to see people for what they are that stereotypes are not as relevant.
After viewing the episode, it definitely opened my eyes to both sides of the illegal immigration movement. I was interested the entire time because it was human nature at it’s finest; the need to be on top, such as how Frank acted. “30 days” not only was entertaining but also serves the purpose of breaking down stereotypes and judgments of others. It allows the viewer to see both sides of a current issue that everyone has an opinion on. The only part of the episode that was negative was when Frank and Armida were playing golf. It seemed to me that it was not needed to make the intended statement. Also, it seemed contradictory that the Gonzales’ family had no money but could afford golf clubs. That scene ruined it for me a bit.
Morgan Spurlock is the creator of “30 days” and also produced the documentary “Supersize Me”. The purpose of creating the show was that viewers can discuss the episodes and learn more about each other along the way. Other episodes include the following; Chris Jobin, a man who lost his job to outsourcing, travels to India (where his job was outsourced too) and lives with a family for 30 days. Another interesting episode is when Spurlock actually enters a jail system for 30 days to see what being a prisoner is like. The idea of the show is to put people in uncomfortable positions, in which they have preconceived stereotypes about, and let them see the other side of the fence.
Overall, I would give the episode an 8/10. I think the message was clearly shown and it was entertaining. However, I felt some scenes took away from the message that was being portrayed.
2 comments:
I agree. What was up with the "poor mexicans" who can barely save up 30 dollars in two months, having enough money to buy tvs and a computer and a PS2. Seems a bit fishy to me...
FX would love to quote your review-- highly recommended.
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