Macouzet 1

Yasmin Macouzet

Professor Moore

ENGL 1301-01

28 April 2019

Native vs. Foreigners

Immigrants (We Get the Job Done) by the Hamilton Mixtape is designed to inspire fans

to donate towards the Hispanic Federation (hispanicfederation). The Hispanic Federation is a

nonprofit organization that raises money to better the Hispanic Community. In 1990, the

organization has helped immigrants learn English, become citizens, and register to vote. The

Hamilton Mixtape wrote and record the “Almost Like Praying” album to help raise money for

Puerto Rico’s hurricane relief. The purpose, imagery, and language choice are used to influence

the immigrant rights coalition.

The purpose of the Immigrants song is to illustrate how important immigrants are to the

United States. In the video, the introduction illustrates the issue the United States is having with

trying to keep immigrants out. In the video it states, “that in a country found by immigrants,

‘immigrant’ has somehow become a bad word” (Genius, 2016). The Native Americans were the

first to settle in the United States. In some parts, Europeans and Native Americans became

friendly and shared land. “By the early 17th century thriving communities dotted the landscape:

the British in New England and Virginia, the Dutch in New York and New Jersey, and the

Swedish in Delaware (libertyellisfoundation)”. The Battle of Yorktown is the fight for

independence from Britain (A&ETelevisionNetworks). The battle was fought by both black and

white soldiers, although African Americans did not receive freedom until 1863 and even then,

freedom was still not received. “Sailing on graves” is a reference to the slave boats filled with
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black men and women who would jump off the boat (commit suicide) in order to stop from being

sold. African Americans are not immigrants, but they get the same treatment as one. Immigrants

and African Americans take in jobs that most Americans do not want. “I got 1 job, 2 job, 3 when

I need them (Genius, 2016)”. Immigrants must work harder to live. Most jobs that they work

have low wages and if they have families it is common for them to gain more than one job. In

some cases, multiple people live in one small apartment in which they all pay rent. When

immigrants try to go to America, “Lady Liberty” it is unwilling to give to give up freedom.

Immigrants still grow without the privileges America provides. “Somos como plantas que crecen

sin agua” (Genius, 2016)”. Meaning “we [immigrants] are like plants that grow without water”.

Immigrants are important to the United States and just hearing it does not always make a

difference but seeing it may.