Part of teaching students to think critically and to have real-world problem solving skills is helping them to see what kinds of social and economic problems exist and how they can be a part of the solution. That’s not to say they all must become activists or humanitarians, but it is good to get them thinking about some of the “big issues”, take a look at how those are affecting us globally, and see what organizations exist to help reduce or solve these problems, and how students can be a part of the solution.
One of these “big issues” is immigration, particularly as it relates to the agriculture industry. Many thousands of illegal immigrants are currently being exploited as they work for pittance salaries in substandard living and working conditions, many suffering physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their employers. The film The Harvest documents the stories of three young people who come to the United States illegally with their families, and the conditions they face every day. You can access the film here on Amazon. An educator screening guide produced by the Tribeca Film Festival can be found here, and additional questions found here.
The Harvest/La Cosecha – Theatrical Trailer from Shine Global on Vimeo.
Amanda M. Orozco 