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The Absence of the American Dream

Sergio Mendoza Antonio

Desde niños, our parents, mentioned the American Dream

The dream where freedom and equality are the flock of birds settling above the heavens

But name-call us “criminals” and “aliens” of our own land

The dream where every individual should not fear for their safety

But cage our children behind dark, cold bars

The dream that promises all wishes and desires from the thought of one’s mind

But shatters the wishes of all Dreamers to pursue higher education

The dream that unfolds uncertainty and drawbacks

But oppresses our families with wages under six dollars in deadly working conditions

The dream that is supposed to be what is

But isn’t

Too much, esta sacrificado para el sueño

Para cruzar la frontera

All that is left for our family is the disparity between our culture and loved ones

Para cruzar la frontera

All that is left for our family is the constant tension with paying bills

Para cruzar la frontera

All that is left for our family is being overshadowed by the higher class

Para cruzar la frontera

All that is left for our family is the persistent fear of la migra

Para cruzar la frontera

All that is left for our family is to leave our next generation in this new home to create the

impossible and attain something bigger than ourselves

We don’t want this prolonged nightmare to continue but to be eradicated and let the American

Dream be the dream of dreamers.

Queremos la oportunidad to be unafraid of our families being separated from the government.

Queremos la oportunidad to strive for long-term goals that seem endless

Queremos la oportunidad to have our DACA siblings accomplish things they never imagined

doing without the government intervening in their work.

Queremos la oportunidad to have our parents discontinue the longing pain of working hours in

the hot sunny fields

Queremos la oportunidad a vivir la vida sin miedo y sin sacrificios.

We want the American Dream to become what our parents once told us as kids

The dream that is so mighty, so true, that it is all