Illegal vs. Legal
by Kaitlyn Buell & Pedro Hernandez
This spoken word poem is about how a Mexican illegal immigrant deals with criticism from an American citizen who barely holds two jobs. Despite their initial differences, they become friends due to the similar situations they face in today’s economy.
ILLEGAL: Man I came to this country for the American Dream. They are no jobs, and the economy is tough that’s what it may seem.
LEGAL: Why are you talking all that junk for? It’s easy for you guys to get a job since you guys get paid under the table.
ILLEGAL: What are you trying to say, that’s nothing especially if you if got a rough job like working in a horse stable.
LEGAL: Or what working as a janitor at high school night?
ILLEGAL: You know what I mean man; you know that I’m damn right!
LEGAL: I’m not scared to represent this countries reputation, most of your people take all this countries welfare and make us look like a humiliation.
ILLEGAL: At least you got a decent job I can say that, you don’t have to sleep in a cramped apartment with a whole bunch of rats.
LEGAL: I got to admit my life isn’t easy especially when you got unemployment riding your back. I have been there before; I know it’s hard for you to get your life on track. Since you got bills to pay once it’s a big stack.
ILLEGAL: You don’t know me. My life, you’re even lucky you got a wife. All I can do all day is use a stupid kitchen and work in a kitchen basement barely paying my rent.
LEGAL: When life may seem bent, I know how hard it is when the landlord is at your door and he tells to get all your crap right up from the floor.
ILLEGAL: I guess you know my situation, you been there before, I guess.
LEGAL: Hell yeah I can say that, I know every day we try to do our best.
ILLEGAL: And we both can stand proud and say “YES.”
by Kaitlyn Buell & Pedro Hernandez
This spoken word poem is about how a Mexican illegal immigrant deals with criticism from an American citizen who barely holds two jobs. Despite their initial differences, they become friends due to the similar situations they face in today’s economy.
ILLEGAL: Man I came to this country for the American Dream. They are no jobs, and the economy is tough that’s what it may seem.
LEGAL: Why are you talking all that junk for? It’s easy for you guys to get a job since you guys get paid under the table.
ILLEGAL: What are you trying to say, that’s nothing especially if you if got a rough job like working in a horse stable.
LEGAL: Or what working as a janitor at high school night?
ILLEGAL: You know what I mean man; you know that I’m damn right!
LEGAL: I’m not scared to represent this countries reputation, most of your people take all this countries welfare and make us look like a humiliation.
ILLEGAL: At least you got a decent job I can say that, you don’t have to sleep in a cramped apartment with a whole bunch of rats.
LEGAL: I got to admit my life isn’t easy especially when you got unemployment riding your back. I have been there before; I know it’s hard for you to get your life on track. Since you got bills to pay once it’s a big stack.
ILLEGAL: You don’t know me. My life, you’re even lucky you got a wife. All I can do all day is use a stupid kitchen and work in a kitchen basement barely paying my rent.
LEGAL: When life may seem bent, I know how hard it is when the landlord is at your door and he tells to get all your crap right up from the floor.
ILLEGAL: I guess you know my situation, you been there before, I guess.
LEGAL: Hell yeah I can say that, I know every day we try to do our best.
ILLEGAL: And we both can stand proud and say “YES.”
