Harvest of Empire

 

Reflection Summary: Harvest of Empire and U.S. Intervention in Latin America

The documentary Harvest of Empire shares an important message about immigration and U.S. history. It is based on the book by journalist Juan González. The film explains that immigration from Latin America is not random. It is connected to many years of U.S. actions in Latin America. This includes wars, military control, and economic intervention. The documentary argues that the United States helped create many of the conditions that forced people to leave their home countries. Because of this, the film shows that immigration is not only a personal choice. It is often a survival decision.

The film begins with a powerful quote from Juan González. He says that people in the Americas are connected as “Americans of the New World.” He also says the most dangerous enemy is not each other, but ignorance. This quote stood out to me because it explains the problem in a simple way. Many people argue about immigration today. Some people blame immigrants. Some people say immigrants are the problem. However, the documentary suggests that the real problem is that many citizens do not know the history. When people do not understand history, they often fear immigrants. They may also support unfair policies. This quote reminds the audience that knowledge is necessary for justice.

One of the strongest points in the documentary is the connection between U.S. intervention and migration. The film explains that the United States expanded its territory through war. It gained control over Puerto Rico, Cuba, and more than half of Mexico. This history shows that the U.S. has been involved in Latin America for a long time. It also shows that U.S. power affected the lives of people in these regions. Later, the film describes covert operations in countries like the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. These operations often supported military regimes. These regimes caused violence, oppression, and instability. As a result, many people lost safety, freedom, and economic opportunity. This forced them to migrate.

The documentary also emphasizes that this history is not taught enough in U.S. schools. Juan González says that people are not taught that the Latino presence in the United States is connected to U.S. government actions. This part of the film made me reflect on education. I realized that what we learn in school shapes how we see the world. If schools teach only one side of history, then people will misunderstand immigration. They may believe immigrants are simply coming for benefits. They may not understand that many immigrants are escaping problems connected to U.S. involvement. This documentary shows that education is political. It also shows that knowledge can challenge stereotypes.

Another important part of the documentary is that it includes real immigrant stories. These stories make the film emotional and human. The film does not only focus on politics and history. It also shows how people suffer and sacrifice. Immigrants often leave their families, culture, and homes. They face fear, danger, and discrimination. However, the documentary also shows their strength. It highlights the triumphs of the growing Latino community. This is important because immigrants are often portrayed only as victims or problems. The film shows they are also survivors, workers, and contributors to society.

The documentary includes many respected voices. These include Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero. It also includes writers and journalists such as Junot Díaz and María Hinojosa. These interviews add credibility to the documentary. They also show that immigration is not only one community’s issue. It is a human rights issue. It is also a social justice issue. The film encourages viewers to see immigrants as part of the American story, not outsiders.

Overall, Harvest of Empire changed the way I think about immigration. It helped me understand that immigration is connected to history, power, and inequality. The film argues that U.S. intervention played a major role in creating instability in Latin America. Because of this, many people migrated north. This means immigration is not only a border issue. It is also a responsibility issue. The documentary encourages people to replace ignorance with understanding. It also encourages empathy instead of fear. I believe this film is important for students because it helps us understand the real roots of migration. It also helps us think critically about the relationship between the United States and Latin America. 

“We are all Americans of the New World, and our most dangerous enemies are not each other, but the great wall of ignorance between us.”

— Juan González, Harvest of Empire

At a time of heated and divisive debate over immigration, Onyx Films is proud to present Harvest of Empire, a feature-length documentary that reveals the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today.

Based on the groundbreaking book by award-winning journalist and Democracy Now! Co-host Juan González, Harvest of Empire takes an unflinching look at the role that U.S. economic and military interests played in triggering an unprecedented wave of migration that is transforming our nation’s cultural and economic landscape.

From the wars for territorial expansion that gave the U.S. control of Puerto Rico, Cuba and more than half of Mexico, to the covert operations that imposed oppressive military regimes in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador, Harvest of Empire unveils a moving human story that is largely unknown to the great majority of citizens in the U.S.

As Juan González says at the beginning of the film “They never teach us in school that the huge Latino presence here is a direct result of our own government’s actions in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America over many decades — actions that forced millions from that region to leave their homeland and journey north.” Harvest of Empire provides a rare and powerful glimpse into the enormous sacrifices and rarely-noted triumphs of our nation’s growing Latino community.

The film features present day immigrant stories, rarely seen archival material, as well as interviews with such respected figures as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Junot Díaz, Mexican historian Dr. Lorenzo Meyer, journalists María Hinojosa and Geraldo Rivera, Grammy award-winning singer Luis Enrique, and poet Martín Espada.